Glossary
There are a lot of technical words in the fields of architectural visualization, 3D representation, and digital presentation that may be hard to understand at first.
We want to make things clearer with our glossary by explaining the main ideas in a straightforward and useful way.
Here are short, easy-to-understand definitions of the basic ideas behind modern visualization techniques, from rendering and textures to virtual reality.
We want to make hard things easier to understand and show how digital images can make construction projects look real, emotive, and immersive.
32-bit Float Texture
A 32-bit texture stores a very large range of brightness and color information, ideal for high-end 3D visualization and compositing.
It prevents banding and keeps light and contrast realistic in architecture renderings.
gmsvision uses 32-bit textures in high-end productions to guarantee maximum image quality for CGI and animations.
360-Degree Panorama
A 360-degree panorama enables a full panoramic view of a scene—room, building, or landscape.
It’s widely used in real-estate presentations, VR tours, and Web-3D to make projects immersive.
gmsvision creates interactive 360-degree panoramas that show architecture realistically and leave a strong impression in real-estate marketing.
3D Animation
3D animation gives movement and dynamics to architecture, products, or real-estate projects.
Cameras fly through spaces, materials change, objects move—all digitally computed.
gmsvision develops 3D animations that present architecture and real-estate CGI in an emotional, clear, and modern way.
3D Asset
A 3D asset is a digital element—model, material, or texture—used inside a scene.
It forms the basis for 3D visualization, architecture rendering, VR projects, or animations.
gmsvision works with high-quality 3D assets to present projects clearly, realistically, and in detail.
3D Compositing
3D compositing merges layers like lighting, shadows, effects, and reflections into a final rendering.
It allows light or color changes without re-rendering the entire image.
gmsvision uses professional compositing to refine 3D renderings and perfect them for client presentations.
3D Floor Plan
A 3D floor plan makes rooms spatially tangible—unlike a classic 2D plan.
It clarifies proportions, furnishing, and spatial feel, which is valuable in real-estate marketing.
gmsvision creates realistic 3D floor plans that ease purchase decisions and visualize architecture clearly.
3D Modeling
3D modeling creates digital objects as the basis for rendering, animation, or VR experiences.
It’s the first step of almost any 3D visualization—buildings, furniture, products, or landscapes.
gmsvision models precisely and in detail so later renderings look believable and high-quality.
3D Rendering
3D rendering computes digital models into photorealistic images—including light, shadows, materials, and camera.
It’s central to architecture rendering, product visuals, and real-estate CGI.
gmsvision produces renderings with modern technology so projects look realistic, atmospheric, and convincing.
3D Viewer
A 3D viewer lets users rotate, zoom, and inspect models interactively in the browser or on mobile devices.
Ideal for real estate, product configurators, and online client presentations.
gmsvision develops interactive 3D viewers that give clients a realistic preview of architecture or products.
4K Rendering
4K rendering produces extremely high-resolution images with fine detail and sharpness.
Used for large-format presentations, trade fairs, and premium real-estate brochures.
gmsvision delivers 4K renderings when maximum image quality is required.
8K Rendering
8K renderings have four times the resolution of 4K—ideal for cinema animations, XXL prints, and high-end archviz.
Higher resolution makes clean materials, lighting, and technique even more critical.
gmsvision creates 8K renderings for extreme sharpness and maximum detail.
AI Denoiser
An AI denoiser removes noise from renderings using artificial intelligence.
It shortens render times without losing quality—especially important for animations.
gmsvision uses modern denoiser technology to deliver clean results faster.
Alpha Channel
The alpha channel stores transparency information and allows objects to be cut out.
It’s essential for compositing, post-production, and image montages in CGI workflows.
gmsvision uses alpha channels to integrate renderings smoothly into layouts, animations, and marketing materials.
Anamorphic Lens Effect
The anamorphic lens effect creates horizontal light streaks and characteristic cinema-style distortion.
It gives 3D animations and archviz a filmic look instead of a “too perfect” CGI feel.
gmsvision applies the effect intentionally when renderings should look like premium film footage.
Animation Curve
An animation curve controls how values like position, rotation, or light evolve over time.
It defines whether movement feels hard, smooth, realistic, or deliberately artificial.
gmsvision fine-tunes animation curves so camera moves and motions feel smooth and natural.
Architectural Visualization
Architectural visualization presents planned buildings photorealistically—often long before construction.
It’s vital for investors, clients, competitions, and real-estate marketing.
gmsvision produces professional architecture renderings that communicate designs clearly, emotionally, and at high quality.
Asset Browser
An asset browser is an organized library for models, textures, materials, or HDRIs.
It speeds up workflows and prevents duplicate work.
gmsvision uses structured asset libraries to produce 3D projects efficiently and consistently.
Asset Pipeline
An asset pipeline is the path from raw model/material to the final rendering.
A good pipeline saves time and reduces errors in large productions.
gmsvision works with clear 3D pipelines so projects remain predictable and professional.
Atlas Texture
An atlas texture consolidates many small textures into a single large image.
It improves performance—especially for games, VR, or Web-3D.
gmsvision uses texture atlases when fast loading times and small file sizes matter.
Augmented Reality (AR)
AR blends digital 3D content with the real world—visible via smartphone or tablet cameras.
Architectural models can be placed on site; furniture can be previewed in real rooms.
gmsvision develops AR solutions to present real estate and products interactively and in a modern way.
Auto UV Unwrapping
Auto unwrapping generates UV layouts automatically instead of manually creating them.
It saves time but is less precise than careful manual UV mapping.
gmsvision uses auto UVs for quick drafts but prefers manual control for final 3D visualization.
Exterior Visualization
Exterior visualizations show a building in its context—with light, nature, sky, and surroundings.
Ideal for brochures, developer marketing, and competitions.
gmsvision creates exterior renderings that are atmospheric, photorealistic, and sales-driven.
Backplate (ArchViz)
A backplate is a real photo used as a background for a 3D model.
It lets architecture fit credibly into an existing environment without modeling everything in 3D.
gmsvision combines 3D rendering and photography so real-estate CGI looks authentic.
Bump Map
A bump map adds apparent surface relief without changing geometry.
It saves computation—ideal for fast renderings.
gmsvision uses bump maps where subtle detail is needed without making the scene heavy.
CAD (Computer-Aided Design)
CAD means computer-aided drafting and design.
It’s used in architecture, product design, and construction to create accurate 2D/3D data for visualization and rendering.
gmsvision ingests architectural CAD data and turns it into high-quality visualizations, renderings, and 3D animations.
Camera Clipping
Camera clipping defines which objects are visible based on distance from the camera.
Large scenes render faster by ignoring everything outside the view range.
gmsvision uses clipping to increase performance without sacrificing quality.
Camera Projection
Camera projection maps a photo onto simple 3D geometry to create depth and perspective.
Used in film, matte painting, and archviz for quick realistic results.
gmsvision uses camera projection to merge real backplates with CGI credibly.
Camera Sequencer
The camera sequencer switches between multiple cameras inside an animation.
It enables film-style editing directly in 3D.
gmsvision uses sequencing for dynamic architecture films and 3D animations.
Character Rigging
Rigging inserts a digital skeleton into a 3D model so it can be animated.
It’s central in animation, games, and CGI.
gmsvision builds rigs for characters, furniture, or mechanisms to enable realistic motion.
Clay Rendering
A clay rendering shows a model in neutral material without textures or colors.
It clarifies form, light, and composition before material work.
gmsvision uses clay renders to present design intent early and clearly.
Cloth Simulation
Cloth simulation computes realistic fabric motion—curtains, clothing, upholstery.
It accounts for gravity, friction, wind, and material behavior.
gmsvision uses cloth sims to make interiors and animations more dynamic and natural.
Cloud Rendering
Cloud rendering offloads computation to external servers.
Big architecture renderings and animations finish faster.
gmsvision uses cloud farms when many frames or high resolutions are required.
Color Grading
Color grading is the post-render color optimization.
It shapes mood, contrast, light impression, and overall quality.
gmsvision grades renderings to make CGI more emotional and premium.
Color Management Profile
A color profile ensures consistent color across monitors, print, and video.
Without proper management, renders can look shifted or wrongly exposed.
gmsvision works with precise color workflows for reliable results.
Color Space
Color space defines the gamut an image can contain—e.g., sRGB, Adobe RGB, ACES.
A wrong space leads to dull or oversaturated images.
gmsvision chooses the right space per target medium—web, film, print, or VR.
Corona Renderer
Corona Renderer is known for realistic light and simple usability.
It’s popular in architecture rendering and interior visualization.
gmsvision uses Corona to achieve natural light moods and photorealistic CGI.
CPU Rendering
CPU rendering uses the processor instead of the GPU.
Reliable for complex, heavy scenes at high resolution.
gmsvision chooses CPU rendering when stability and precision are paramount.
Depth Map
A depth map stores distance to the camera as grayscale.
Used in post for depth of field, fog, and atmospheric effects.
gmsvision exports depth maps for flexible post-processing.
Depth of Field
Depth of field defines what part of an image is in focus and what is blurred.
It adds depth, focus guidance, and filmic character.
gmsvision applies DoF to make visualizations feel natural and emotional.
Detail Rendering
Detail renderings show close-ups—materials, façade joints, furniture surfaces.
They highlight quality and design, useful in marketing.
gmsvision creates detail shots to emphasize premium elements.
Displacement Map
A displacement map changes actual geometry to create real height and depth.
Surfaces like stone, plaster, or wood become extremely realistic.
gmsvision uses displacement for close-ups and hero materials.
Dolly Shot (3D Camera)
A dolly shot moves the camera forward or backward through a scene.
It creates calm, cinematic storytelling in animations.
gmsvision uses dolly moves to present architecture impressively.
Environment Map
An environment map provides reflections or a backdrop for 3D scenes.
Common in product and interior rendering.
gmsvision uses environment maps for realistic reflections without complex setups.
EXR Format
EXR is a professional format with very high bit depth and dynamic range.
Standard in CGI, compositing, and film when maximum quality is needed.
gmsvision saves final renders as EXR for precise color and light adjustments later.
Film Grain
Film grain is intentional fine noise reminiscent of analog film.
It makes renderings feel less clinical and more cinematic.
gmsvision adds film grain subtly to make 3D visualization and animation feel alive.
Focal Length
Focal length defines how wide or tight the camera view is—wide, normal, telephoto.
It strongly affects distortion, perspective, and mood, especially in archviz.
gmsvision selects focal lengths deliberately to present spaces credibly.
Frame Rate (FPS)
Frame rate is the number of images per second in an animation.
Typical values: 24 (film), 30 (web/presentation), 60 (VR/real-time).
gmsvision sets FPS per target so animations feel smooth and correct.
Frame Sequencing
An animation is rendered as an image sequence instead of a video.
Gives maximum control in post without quality loss.
gmsvision renders PNG/EXR sequences before assembling the final film.
Gamma Correction
Gamma controls brightness reproduction.
Wrong gamma makes renders flat, greyish, or too dark.
gmsvision keeps gamma calibrated so color, light, and contrast stay photorealistic.
Glossiness Map
A gloss map controls how strongly a surface reflects—tiles, lacquer, metal.
It’s key in PBR materials.
gmsvision uses gloss maps to make materials range from matte to high-gloss credibly.
Global Illumination (GI)
GI computes indirect light bouncing between surfaces.
Without GI scenes look flat; with GI they feel real and spatial.
gmsvision uses physically correct GI for photorealistic archviz and real-estate CGI.
HDR Display Output
HDR output supports extended brightness and color on modern displays.
Used for cinema, premium monitors, and high-end presentations.
gmsvision delivers HDR renders when maximum dynamic range is required.
HDRI Lighting
HDRI lighting uses high-dynamic panoramas for realistic light and reflections.
A core technique for photorealistic 3D visualization.
gmsvision employs HDRIs to avoid artificial light impressions.
High-Poly Model
A high-poly model contains many details for close-ups and extreme quality.
Too heavy for VR/real-time, perfect for hero renders.
gmsvision builds high-poly geometry when precision and material detail matter most.
Real-Estate Marketing
In real-estate marketing, 3D visualization, architecture rendering, and CGI help sell projects before construction.
High-quality images create emotion and support decisions.
gmsvision supports developers and agents with renderings, animations, and 360° presentations that help sell.
Interactive Rendering
Interactive rendering provides instant feedback while changing settings.
No full final render is needed to judge light or materials.
gmsvision uses interactive engines for faster feedback and better results.
Interior Rendering
Interior visualization shows rooms with furniture, light, and materials before they exist.
Used in architecture, hospitality, interior design, and sales.
gmsvision creates realistic interior renderings that convey atmosphere and design intent.
JPEG Compression
JPEG compresses files to smaller sizes with some quality loss.
Great for web, email approvals, and quick previews.
gmsvision usually delivers PNG/TIFF finals but uses JPEG for fast client previews.
Flythrough / Camera Flight
A flythrough is a moving camera through a 3D scene.
Common in arch-animation and real-estate marketing.
gmsvision creates cinematic flythroughs to present buildings clearly and emotionally.
Lens Distortion
Lens distortion simulates real-world lens behavior, especially near the frame edges.
It makes renders feel less “too perfect” and more photographic.
gmsvision adds subtle distortion to boost realism and credibility.
Light Simulation
Light simulation calculates how natural/artificial light affects materials and rooms.
Important for archviz, daylight studies, and interior design.
gmsvision uses physically correct light sims to convey realistic mood.
Linear Workflow
A linear workflow ensures physically correct light, color, and material calculation.
Without it, values and reactions become inaccurate.
gmsvision works fully linear to secure photorealism in CGI.
Low-Poly Workflow
Low-poly models use few polygons, optimized for real-time, VR, AR, and Web-3D.
Not hyper-realistic but extremely efficient.
gmsvision creates low-poly versions when performance matters—e.g., VR walkthroughs.
LUT (Look-Up Table)
A LUT applies a ready-made color look—warm, cool, cinematic, contrasty—instantly.
Common in animation, rendering, and film post.
gmsvision uses LUTs to quickly harmonize visuals with a professional look.
LUT Baking
LUT baking embeds the look directly into the image instead of applying it later.
Saves time for animations and large batches.
gmsvision bakes LUTs when the final style is approved.
Material Library
A material library stores reusable digital surfaces like wood, concrete, glass, or fabric.
It keeps materials consistent across renderings and animations.
gmsvision relies on extensive libraries for realistic, consistent results.
Material Channel
A material channel is a single component—albedo, roughness, metalness, transparency.
Together they create the realistic PBR look.
gmsvision structures materials cleanly so they react to light credibly.
Material Override
Material override temporarily replaces all scene materials with one neutral material.
Great for lighting checks and uncluttered test renders.
gmsvision uses overrides to judge lighting and geometry before final texturing.
Material Shading
Material shading describes how surfaces react to light—glossy, matte, transparent, metallic, rough.
Accurate shading is essential for realistic archviz or product CGI.
gmsvision builds physically correct shaders to make materials feel real.
Megascans Asset
Megascans are high-quality photogrammetric scans—rocks, plants, walls, grounds.
Used in archviz, games, and film for maximum realism.
gmsvision uses Megascans to depict nature and context convincingly without manual modeling.
Motion Capture (MoCap)
Motion capture records real movement and transfers it to digital characters.
Animations feel much more natural than purely hand-keyed motion.
gmsvision uses MoCap when realistic human movement is needed.
Normal Map
A normal map fakes fine surface detail—grooves, wrinkles, pores—without extra geometry.
More realistic than bump maps while staying light.
gmsvision uses normal maps for rich materials without heavy meshes.
Override Layer
An override layer temporarily replaces certain render settings (e.g., materials, lights).
Useful for test and debug passes.
gmsvision uses overrides to manage complex scenes efficiently.
PBR Workflow
PBR uses physical values—metalness, roughness, reflectance, energy—to ensure correct response under any light.
Works for interiors, exteriors, and product CGI.
gmsvision standardizes on PBR for realistic, consistent, and technically correct results.
Perspective
Perspective defines viewpoint, framing, and spatial impact.
It strongly affects clarity, sales power, and emotion.
gmsvision chooses perspectives deliberately to present architecture clearly and atmospherically.
Physically Accurate Lighting
Physically accurate lighting follows real energy and shadow behavior.
It is the base of natural archviz and believable materials.
gmsvision uses physical light systems to produce real daylight and interior moods.
Physical Camera
A physical camera simulates ISO, aperture, shutter speed, and focal length.
Renders feel like photography rather than purely digital images.
gmsvision uses physical camera settings for cinematic, photorealistic output.
Photorealism
Photorealism describes renderings/animations that are barely distinguishable from photos.
It depends on correct light, convincing materials, and realistic camera behavior.
gmsvision creates photorealistic 3D visualizations for architecture, real-estate marketing, and product CGI.
Polygon Reduction
Polygon reduction lowers geometry count without changing the visible result much.
Important for VR, Web-3D, viewers, and real-time engines.
gmsvision optimizes models to load fast while staying high-quality.
Post FX (Post Effects)
Post effects—vignette, film grain, bloom, chromatic aberration—are applied after rendering.
They deepen mood and make CGI feel more cinematic.
gmsvision uses post FX carefully to enhance emotion and modern style.
Post-Production
Post-production is the final stage after rendering—color, contrast, sharpness, effects, retouch.
It often decides whether a render is just “okay” or truly premium.
gmsvision polishes images, animations, and brochures with professional post.
Real-Time Raytracing
Real-time raytracing computes light/shadows/reflections live.
Used in Unreal and VR for interactive realism.
gmsvision employs real-time RT when interactive archviz needs maximum realism.
Refraction
Refraction is light bending through glass, water, or crystal.
Incorrect IOR makes transparent objects look fake.
gmsvision uses physical refraction for believable glass façades, water, and details.
Render Element
Render elements export image components—lighting, reflection, shadows, Z-depth—separately.
They allow maximum control in post without re-rendering.
gmsvision delivers elements for flexible grading and comp.
Render Layer
Render layers split object groups into separate passes—foreground, building, environment, glass, people.
They simplify changes and compositing.
gmsvision structures scenes with layers to keep big projects controllable.
Render Preview
A render preview is a quick, simplified version to check light, materials, or framing.
It saves time before the final render.
gmsvision generates previews to speed approvals.
Render Queue
A render queue is a list of jobs processed automatically in sequence.
Used for many images, multiple cameras, or whole animations.
gmsvision uses queues to render CGI and animation projects efficiently.
Render Region
A render region is a marked area rendered separately.
Great for checking a small part without re-rendering the whole image.
gmsvision uses regions to iterate on materials and lighting quickly.
Render Test
A render test is a fast low-quality preview before final rendering.
It reveals issues in light, materials, or camera early.
gmsvision creates test renders so clients see a clear preview in advance.
Render Time
Render time is how long a computer needs to finish an image or animation.
It depends on resolution, lighting, materials, engine, and hardware.
gmsvision optimizes scenes to keep render times low without reducing quality.
Rendering Pipeline
The rendering pipeline is the full process from modeling through shading, lighting, rendering, to post.
Clear pipelines save time, prevent errors, and ensure consistency.
gmsvision runs professional pipelines so 3D visualization is reliable and predictable.
Rendering Engine
A rendering engine converts 3D scenes into final images—Corona, V-Ray, Octane, Unreal.
It governs lighting, materials, shadows, speed, and quality.
gmsvision uses modern engines for premium archviz and CGI.
Scene Optimization
Scene optimization makes a 3D scene lighter, faster, and more stable to render.
Includes poly reduction, light baking, proxies, and simplified materials.
gmsvision tunes scenes for speed while keeping realism.
Scene Scale
Correct scene scale ensures proper size for all objects.
Wrong scale breaks light, camera, and physics.
gmsvision keeps real-world scale so architecture, furniture, and context look authentic.
Scrubbing (Animation)
Scrubbing is quickly moving back and forth on the timeline to check motion.
It helps tune timing, transitions, and camera moves.
gmsvision scrubs animations to balance them smoothly and cinematically.
Shader
A shader defines how a material reacts to light—glossy, reflective, transparent, or rough.
It’s central to believable PBR materials and realism.
gmsvision develops custom shaders to depict concrete, metal, wood, or glass convincingly.
Sun & Sky System
A sun & sky system simulates realistic daylight based on geographic sun position.
Used heavily in archviz to show true brightness, shadows, and times of day.
gmsvision uses physical sun/sky to place architecture credibly in its environment.
Texture Baking
Texture baking stores light, shadows, normals, or AO directly in textures instead of computing them in real time.
It reduces load for VR, real-time, and game engines.
gmsvision bakes textures when projects target web viewers, mobile, or VR.
Tileable Texture
A tileable texture repeats seamlessly without visible edges.
Common for walls, floors, façades, and terrain.
gmsvision creates seamless textures to keep large areas clean and realistic.
Tonemapping
Tonemapping converts HDR to a viewable contrast range for displays.
Without it, renders can clip highlights or look too dark.
gmsvision applies filmic tonemapping for realistic light and contrast.
Unreal Engine
Unreal Engine is a real-time engine for VR, animations, interactive presentations, and photoreal archviz.
It enables live walkthroughs and real-time rendering.
gmsvision uses Unreal so architecture can be experienced—not just viewed.
Unwrapping (UV Unwrap)
UV unwrapping lays a 3D model out on a 2D surface so textures fit correctly.
Clean UVs prevent stretching and artifacts.
gmsvision creates precise UV layouts so materials fit perfectly.
Virtual Camera
A virtual camera simulates real camera behavior—focal length, aperture, lens effects—inside 3D scenes.
It makes renders feel photographic rather than synthetic.
gmsvision uses physical camera parameters for cinematic renderings.
Virtual Walkthrough
A virtual walkthrough lets users enter a building digitally and navigate freely—PC, tablet, or VR.
Used in sales, planning, and competitions.
gmsvision builds walkthroughs so clients can experience architecture before it’s built.
Visual Storytelling
Visual storytelling combines imagery, camera movement, light, and emotion into a narrative.
In architecture it ensures a project is not only shown but also felt and understood.
gmsvision employs storytelling to make images and animations emotional and purposeful.
Volumetric Caustics
Volumetric caustics simulate light refraction inside media like fog, water, or smoke.
Used in high-end rendering, film CGI, and animation.
gmsvision uses volumetric effects for depth, realism, and atmosphere.
Walkthrough
A walkthrough is a guided or interactive camera journey through a building or site.
It helps clients experience architecture before construction.
gmsvision produces walkthrough animations and VR tours that make architecture clear and tangible.
White Balance Correction
White balance removes color casts so white appears truly neutral.
It’s essential for photorealistic visualization and a photographic feel.
gmsvision adjusts white balance so colors stay natural and credible.
World Space
World space is the global 3D coordinate system of a scene.
It’s important for lighting, rendering, and physics.
gmsvision maintains clean world-space structures for technical stability.
XYZ Axis
The XYZ axes define orientation and motion in 3D: X = left/right, Y = forward/back, Z = up/down.
Correct axes are crucial for export and animation.
gmsvision keeps axes consistent for error-free pipelines.
Z-Depth Pass
The Z-depth pass stores distance information as grayscale.
It’s used to add fog, depth of field, and atmosphere in post.
gmsvision always renders Z-depth for maximum control in compositing.