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Most of you already know that Show It Better is an educational platform where we educate architects on architecture representation methods. Of course, as humans, we tend to like some things more than others. But, if we are just using only one representation method, how are we going to describe different projects with the same representation technique?


We have some examples of the different architectural representation styles you can start using in your next projects. Also, on our YouTube channel, we have tutorials on these different styles. 

Digital Maquette

You know what they say, you have to re-invent yourself regarding the circumstances. We know that deep down in our hearts we miss putting together our maquette; cutting, and gluing everything up to our fingers, haha, but now in these pandemic times, we’ve stopped choosing this method as a representation technique. So what if we can use it again, but leaving the glue aside? 
 
We have a great tutorial here on how to make your projects interesting with this digital maquette as a representation style. 

Digital Illustration

We love our architectural software, they just make us feel alive when we are working with them (wink wink), haha, but have you used the same software over and over again, with the same render style that people already start to notice? Don’t get boring, try something new. 
Digital illustration is another architectural representation style that you can use to alternate those beautiful but predictable renders.
Sweta Sanker  shows us how you can beautifully show your project through a digital illustration. 

CAD Drawing

CAD blocks are usually used to create repeated content, like drawing symbols, common components, and standard details. Atelier Bow Wow, has this particular way of architectural representation and is drawing with CAD blocks. 

Realistic Render

Lumion, AutoCad, SketchUp, and other architectural software, all have the option to make nice renders, but at the end of the day, you know it is a render. We have some cool and easy tutorials here to make these renders a little bit more realistic.  Whether is adding some trees, fog, birds, sand, etc. 
 
Having a realistic render as an architectural representation technique makes the viewer picture everything exactly the same with objects that are seen on a daily basis.

Digital Collage

There are so many good artists out there that show their work with everyday objects and just make you feel submerged in the project. Digital collage is another way of architectural representation where you can mix different styles to show your project. Where you can mix real images, with illustrations, cutouts, etc. 
We of course have a premium course on Digital Collage, where you can learn the basics. Enroll here.

So which is your go-to representation style? Have you tried all of these?

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Frequently asked questions.

If you have any other questions, please contact us at hello@showitbetter.co

Most of our resources come in different formats: ABR (photoshop brushes), DWG, AI (adobe illustrator), EPS. Depending on what program you use, you can import our resources.

As soon as you buy it you can use it in personal and commercial projects. What you are not allowed to do is resell this, it is a single person license.

For some of our resources, we pack them in a .RAR or .ZIP file. To open these files you can use free decompressors like WinRar or WinZIP.

We use this type of format to speed up the process and avoid links that can pirate our content

 

If you’re using a Windows machine, a free tool like 7-Zip (which can be downloaded from https://www.7-zip.org/) or WinRAR (available at https://www.win-rar.com/) can do the job. If you’re on a Mac, you might want to try The Unarchiver (available in the App Store).

Here’s a quick step-by-step guide to get you on track:

1. Download and install a suitable program like 7-Zip, WinRAR, or The Unarchiver.
2. Once it’s installed, locate the “Portfolio Project Spread Template.rar” file in your downloads folder.
3. Right-click on the .rar file and you should see an option to “Extract Here” or “Extract Files”. Choose this option.
4. The program will then decompress the file and you’ll have a regular folder with all the contents you were expecting.

Send us an email at  hello@showitbetter.co and we will try to answer as soon as possible.