Advancing Architectural Realism with Lumen and Nanite in Unreal Engine 5

In the ever-evolving realm of architectural visualization, a shift is occurring with the continued advancements in Unreal Engine. In this blog, we delve into Lumen and Nanite, understanding their expected profound impact on the landscape of architectural visualization. Lumen and Nanite, each embodying a significant leap in the pursuit of architectural realism but also still limited in it’s use case.

Lumen: Illuminating Reality

Lumen, the global illumination and reflection system integrated within Unreal Engine 5, stands as a testament to the relentless pursuit of realism. Its significance extends beyond its feature-rich capabilities, finding its place in high-end visualizations. Fully dynamic, Lumen removes the burden of intricate setup, a historical challenge in real-time global illumination. Computational demands have often led to compromises in design, as rendering complex lighting interactions in real time seemed unattainable. Lumen challenges this notion, simulating light interactions on-the-fly. The result? A symphony of light that mirrors reality. Shadows dance authentically, light rebounds from surfaces, and environments are bathed in a luminous embrace. The outcome are visualizations that not only mimics reality but immerses users in a hyper-realistic experience. Architects can actively fine-tune lighting parameters and witness the environment transform before their eyes, empowering designers to experiment with various lighting schemes, assessing their impact on mood and aesthetics. Lumen represents a leap in not only realism but also the entire design process.

Lumen’s global illumination prowess seamlessly integrates with Nanite’s precision, ushering architectural spaces to life. The era of static lighting recedes, replaced by a dynamic interplay that mimics natural light dynamics. Architects possess the power to metamorphose spaces with the manipulation of lighting parameters. From the tender embrace of sunrise to the dramatic twilight shadows, Lumen reflects the passage of time. The result is a canvas that architects can infuse with life’s hues. Lighting schemes can be customized not solely for aesthetics but also to accentuate specific design elements. The interplay of light and surfaces, enabled by Lumen, enriches experiential depth, allowing spaces to evolve throughout the day.

Nanite: Precision Craftsmanship

At the core of architectural design lies geometry. Nanite, an innovative object visualization method within Unreal Engine, will help streamline the rendering of complex objects. Traditionally, objects were rendered with polygons and textures, but intricacy often forced designers into trade-offs. Nanite erases these boundaries, enabling architects to unveil intricate objects with unwavering precision, without compromising overall scene geometry. This technological improvement grants architects the ability to manifest visions with an unprecedented level of detail. Imagine a world where ornate ornaments, intricate sculptures, and delicate embellishments can be showcased without compromise. Nanite is the key to unlocking this realm of design fidelity. Even at a granular level, elements like bricks, tiles, and wall textures can be rendered with photorealistic precision. This opens the door for designs to incorporate a diverse array of materials and textures without overwhelming the visual senses. By harnessing Nanite, architects can translate their vision into a tactile experience, enriching the visual narrative.

Architectural endeavors often demand meticulous representation, capturing the essence of intricate elements that define the built environment. Nanite eradicates the limitations imposed by traditional polygonal rendering. Architects can embrace intricacy without hesitation. The fusion of Nanite’s precision and architectural intricacies creates a visual symphony, inviting observers to delve into the minutiae. Ornate facades, intricate sculptures, and delicate embellishments stand unveiled, each contributing to the narrative of architectural design. By harnessing Nanite’s capabilities, architects can incorporate a diverse palette of materials, patterns, and textures while upholding clarity and realism. This avenue enables design philosophies to materialize into tangible and believable experiences.

Architectural Imagination Unleashed

Lumen and Nanite are not mere tools; they are catalysts that unchain architectural imagination. Designers will be unburdened by compromises, liberated from the constraints of traditional visualization. The synergy of Lumen and Nanite fosters innovation, nurturing an environment where designs stretch the boundaries, where creativity knows no bounds. Unbound by technical limitations, architects will be able to truly focus on creative expression, crafting digital worlds that capture a mood, an emotion, or a philosophy. This creative liberation expands the horizons of design thinking itself.

The Ongoing Advancements and Challenges

While Lumen and Nanite represent significant advancements in visualization technology, these tools still face certain limitations and challenges that over time we believe will be worked out both with improvements made by Epic Games and computing advancements. 

Lumen’s real-time global illumination, while striking, can strain performance and lead to reduced frame rates based on scene complexity. When using these tools for VR getting limited on FPS creates usability issues. Reports of visual anomalies like light streaks and blotches that compromise image quality in specific situations have also surfaced. These issues are particularly noticeable in darker scenes, where Lumen intensively calculates bounce lighting. Achieving the right balance between visual fidelity and performance might require some trial and error.

Nanite, too, can push modern GPUs to their limits. Rendering extensive geometric detail might result in sluggish interaction when manipulating complex Nanite-powered assets. Memory usage is another concern, as Nanite’s uncapped geometry consumes valuable VRAM. Developers may need to strategically optimize and allocate resources for Nanite objects.

While these solutions strive for real-time photorealism, current hardware struggles to meet their formidable demands. Lumen and Nanite offer a glimpse into a future where lighting and geometry are simulated seamlessly, even though this future might not be entirely realized just yet. As GPU capabilities inevitably expand, so will the prevalence of real-time ray tracing and intricate geometric detail. Epic Games has set an ambitious trajectory with Unreal Engine 5’s cutting-edge rendering—a future that inches closer with each passing year.

Conclusion: The Luminous Horizon

In the intricate dance of light and design, Radical Galaxy Studio brings dreams to life. Within the evolving landscape of architectural visualization, Lumen and Nanite mark the juncture where realistic illumination and intricate precision propel architectural designs into an era of immersive depth. As these tools progress and computing power amplifies, we foresee a future where every curve, shadow, and play of light isn’t just observed, but is profoundly experienced. At Radical Galaxy Studio, our team consists of architects, interior designers, and gaming professionals. We’ve harnessed the power of the Unreal Engine since our company’s inception in 2017. While Unreal Engine can be demanding to navigate, the results and deliverables we create are truly stunning, and we anticipate further enhancements in our offerings. For those who’ve stumbled upon this blog and read up to this point, we are always eager to engage in discussions with peers, be it architects, designers, real estate developers, or other visualization firms, about the advancements and challenges we encounter with various tools we all use.

In the architectural visualization industry, the essence of a project is captured not only by its design but also by how it’s visualized and presented to the public. We are often asked about the rendering software we use, and the answer varies based on the project requirements. For virtual reality or real-time work, we use Unreal Engine. For still imagery, we primarily use 3ds Max and employ both V-Ray and Corona, in conjunction with other tools like Substance Painter, Photoshop, After Effects, Houdini, and Nuke, to name a few. The rendering software we choose becomes an extension of our creative expression.

A frequent topic of discussion when interacting with architectural firms or interior designers is whether we use V-Ray or Corona. For us, it’s less about the tool and more about the artist’s comfort and proficiency with it (expect for animations). For still renderings we have team members who are adept with V-Ray, and others who excel with Corona. Both can produce remarkable results. In this blog, we will delve into some of the differences between these two tools.

Hardware Needs: GPU and CPU Considerations

The rendering process is often hardware-intensive. Often a firm’s investment in CPU or GPU will likely influence your software choice.

– CPU-centric Firms: Both Corona and V-Ray are adept at leveraging the full prowess of your CPUs, ensuring detailed and swift renders.

– GPU-focused Firms: If your firm is moving towards a GPU-centric model, V-Ray is the go-to, given that Corona hasn’t ventured into GPU rendering as of now.

Some believe rendering exclusively with the CPU helps avoid some common challenges associated with GPU rendering. These challenges range from GPU architectures not being ideal for comprehensive global illumination, to memory constraints some machines have. Undoubtedly, both GPU and CPU methods come with their respective strengths and weaknesses. This is evident from the robust products being developed and employed in professional settings from both spectrums.

Host Software Compatibility

Your primary design software plays a pivotal role in your rendering software choice.

For firms using 3ds Max or Cinema 4D, either V-Ray or Corona would integrate seamlessly.

If tools like Maya, SketchUp, or Revit are part of your firm’s arsenal, V-Ray offers exclusive support in these realms, a feature Corona hasn’t fully embraced yet. While that could change in the future capatiability with the other tools you use is an important factor in deciding which to use. 

Crafting Your Style: Workflow Dynamics in Rendering

Every architectural visualization firm has its signature style, often reflected in their rendering approach.

For firms that prioritize quick, photorealistic outputs without delving deep into parameters, Corona is the prime choice. It’s built for intuitiveness, enabling lifelike results with minimal tweaks.

V-Ray is the canvas for firms that prefer customizability. Its extensive toolkit offers granularity, from shadow-casting nuances to object-specific rendering adjustments.

Project Scope – Stills vs. Animated Sequences

Your firm’s project deliverables – whether high-res stills or detailed animated sequences – can dictate your rendering software preference.

Both V-Ray and Corona are adept at crafting pristine still renders. However, for animated walkthroughs or sequences, V-Ray’s granular controls offer an edge.

V-Ray is laden with features and provides extra control that are tailor-made for animated scenes. For example, the nuances of motion blur and depth of field in V-Ray give animations a more natural, cinematic feel. Performance optimization is another feather in V-Ray’s cap. Even in scenes teeming with assets, V-Ray demonstrates admirable stability and efficiency, a quality indispensable for rendering sequences frame by frame. Additionally, its seamless integration with leading animation software ensures a fluid workflow, a vital attribute for animators often racing against the clock. While Corona indeed has its strengths and is the go-to for certain projects, V-Ray’s comprehensive features, stability, and adaptability make it a frontrunner for architectural animation videos.

Drawing the Conclusion: Which Rendering Tool Triumphs?

While Corona is perceived as the more beginner-friendly option, in the hands of a skilled artist, it can produce still renderings that rival those created with V-Ray. V-Ray’s extensive feature set requires a deeper commitment to learning and, in many cases, a higher investment in equipment. In the realm of architectural visualization, the choice of software is merely the brush, while the true magic for stills lies in the artist’s hands. Both V-Ray and Corona are remarkable tools, adept at transforming a firm’s vision into vivid, awe-inspiring visuals. However, the true essence of a render is determined not just by the software but by the expertise and imagination of the artist operating it. As your firm assesses these tools, it’s vital to recognize that while they facilitate and enhance, it’s the artist’s touch that genuinely illuminates architectural wonders on the screen. At Radial Galaxy Studio, we employ both tools and are happy to talk with those interested in greater depth about our experiences with other industry professionals about our experiences with both tools.

About Radical Galaxy Studio

Radical Galaxy Studio, an award-winning top visualization studio with offices in New York City and the Seattle area. Their accolades are a testament to their unparalleled prowess in translating intricate design concepts into tangible, resonant visuals. Serving a diverse clientele exposes them to a rich tapestry of architectural styles and challenges. Their unwavering commitment to authenticity is apparent in every project. The studio’s dynamic synergy – a blend of tech enthusiasts and artistic visionaries, ensures that each creation embodies precision and aesthetic excellence. As the architectural landscape continues its relentless evolution, Radical Galaxy Studio, fortified by its blend of technology, artistry, is positioned to remain at the forefront, continually redefining industry standards.

Captivating Attention Through Artistic Style

Reinforcing Brand Identity Through Visual Cohesion

Optimizing Renderings for Audience and Purpose

Finding the Right Visualization Partner