Architectural Graphics

If there is anything that I love more than architecture, it is the art of architecture. Architectural graphics, diagrams and renderings are key tools used by architects during the design process. Architectural graphics give clarity to a building design and are capable of distilling many orders into a singular design solution or graphic. This section of Critique This! will focus on everything to do with architectural graphics, diagrams, software, inspiration, and other free goodies like 2D and 3D entourage just for architects. The Architectural Graphics section on Critique This! will also feature a number of video tutorials that explain in detail these advanced graphic techniques. Check back soon as this section is still under construction and new content is being generated for it every day.

LEED Accredited Professional 3.0 Vector Logo Collection

The LEED Accredited Professional 3.0 vector logo collection contains every official LEED AP logo created by the USGBC in vector format. The logos can be downloaded in Adobe Illustrator file format, which allows for complete control over the size and style of the logo without loss of clarity. The LEED Accredited Professional 3.0 vector logo collection is available for download absolutely free. If you require the logos in another file format, please contact us, and we will be more than happy to make additional file formats available for download. … continue reading LEED Accredited Professional 3.0 Vector Logo Collection

Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum Graphic by Ted Naos

During a recent trip to New York City I visited the infamous Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. It was my first time at the museum, and unfortunately the glass atop the atrium was covered. The large volume of space that is normally full of light was a dark void, perhaps for the first time in the building’s existence. Already disappointed with the fact that I would have to make another trip to New York City to experience the true spirit of the structure. I was further disheartened by the quality of merchandise sold in the museum’s gift shop. Most of the items in the Guggenheim gift shop were everyday items with an image of the Guggenheim slapped on it, similar in fashion to the image of Mickey Mouse in a Disney gift shop. … continue reading Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum Graphic by Ted Naos

Rethinking the Function of the Architect’s Desktop

Have you ever considered what function the background on your computer’s desktop serves? I doubt it. Many people treat their desktop’s background as an expensive picture frame that displays imagery of their family or maybe a sports car that they will never ever be able to afford, but why not ask the desktop what it wants to be? It seems that the background of your computer’s desktop is an opportunity that architects have not yet capitalized on. In fact, I do not know of any profession that has thought about using the background of their computer’s desktop as anything other than a picture frame. This article discusses ten ways that you can make your desktop function for you. … continue reading Rethinking the Function of the Architect’s Desktop

Augmenting Aerial Earth Maps: Are Architects Ready For An Augmented Reality?

Augmenting aerial earth maps, or Augearth as it is called by its creators, is the resultant of a research effort at the Georgia Institute of Technology’s Augmented Environmental Laboratory. I discovered the results of the research while visiting the Google Earth Blog, which is a must bookmark for architectural 3d modelers and illustrators. I am writing about this, not because I don’t feel like finishing the dozen or so articles I have sitting in the queue, but because the researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology have brought to the forefront a new type of visualization that will not only change the way we view architecture and the world, but our process. … continue reading Augmenting Aerial Earth Maps: Are Architects Ready For An Augmented Reality?

Download: 3D Apple Power Mac G5, Cinema Display & Keyboard

Today’s download resource is a 3D Apple Power Mac g5 & Cinema Display combo complete with keyboard and textures. The model has a low polygon count and makes use of textures for most of the detail. I have had 30 or so of these computers in a model and render times and Open GL performance has not diminished. The model is supplied in dwg and fmz file formats. The FormZ file is completely textured, and materials are set up in the model, requiring only minor tweaks. This is the only computer I use in my renderings, because it is dead sexy and instantly makes any space cool. … continue reading Download: 3D Apple Power Mac G5, Cinema Display & Keyboard