My old boss in Denver insisted we stick to 2D for all site plans, but a new firm pushed 3D modeling.

He said clients wouldn't pay for the extra time and it was just flashy. We landed a big commercial job last year where the client specifically asked for a 3D flythrough, and we had to scramble to learn it. Did anyone else have to switch their drafting approach because of a specific project demand?

3 comments

3 Comments

hayden13322d ago

Ever been forced to learn on the fly?

karenc3222d ago

That old boss had it backwards. Clients will pay for what helps them understand the project. A flat 2D plan just doesn't show how a space really feels. I started doing simple 3D models for residential gardens because people kept asking how tall a hedge would be. It stopped so many change orders later. Hayden133, learning on the fly is rough, but sometimes the market just moves and you have to catch up.

the_nina20d ago

Karen's right that clients see the value, but calling 2D plans "flat" misses how useful they still are for permits and construction. The real shift is offering both. We still draft in 2D for the technical stuff, then build the 3D model from that base. It keeps costs down and makes the fancy visuals possible without starting from scratch.