Michael Sechman & Associates
Bringing imaginary spaces to life with Adobe Premiere Pro, Photoshop, and After Effects software
There are two sides to every architectural project. Of course, developments start with design of the spaces and structures themselves. But today, photorealistic renderings for marketing and obtaining approval from government bodies such as city councils are gaining importance. According to Michael Sechman, founder of Michael Sechman & Associates (MSA), architectural renderings and animations have become so crucial in communicating to various audiences that major architectural undertakings nowadays rarely occur without them.
"Today's architectural projects are presented with Hollywood-style appeal," says Sechman. "Architects and developers come to us because we have the knowledge and tools to create images and animations that show precisely what the proposed structures will look like."
Sechman's skills come from creating photorealistic images and animations for clients such as Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, Bechtel Corp., and Gensler Associates. His tools of choice include Adobe® Photoshop® CS, Adobe Premiere® Pro, and Adobe After Effects® software.
"Adobe graphics and video software provides an integrated workflow that lets me leverage artwork or renderings for other parts of a project like animations," says Sechman. "It is also compatible with other software commonly used by architects: AutoCAD and Discrete 3ds max."
“Adobe graphics and video software provides an integrated workflow that lets me leverage artwork or renderings for other parts of a project like animations.”
founder, Michael Sechman and associates.
Among Sechman's most ambitious undertakings in 2005 was an animation of the 621 Capitol Mall building in Sacramento, California, designed by renowned architectural firm Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum (HOK) and slated for completion in 2006. The animation hones in on the building's unique attributes, including dramatic lighting features and a giant atrium. Commissioned by owner David S. Taylor Interest, Inc., the piece aims to educate potential tenants in a medium that enables them to immediately grasp the feel of the new structure in a compelling, realistic way.
The animation starts with an aerial shot that then "flies" around the building and lands on the ground on a shopping promenade. To boost realism and give viewers an idea of scale and aliveness, Sechman added people, plants, and other features to the animated scene.
Sechman created a rough 3D model using AutoCAD, based on 2D drawings from HOK. He then brought the model into 3ds max. Once the 3D model was polished, Sechman created a 2D rendering in Photoshop. He combined still and motion elements and sound in Adobe Premiere Pro and finished post-production tasks such as color correction using After Effects.
"Adobe software enables the creation of architectural renderings and animations that are photorealistic, yet artistic at the same time," says Sechman. "This combination of realism and a hand-drawn look is what sets our work apart."
