Work from an image: prepare the right input

An image is often the best starting point when the viewpoint is already decided and the next question is about mood, materials, context or presentation—not camera movement or model coordination.

Level: Beginner · Time: About 10 minutes

Prerequisite: Choose your starting point: image or 3D

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1. When the image route is the better choice

Choose an image or current view when:

You need to test an idea quickly from a sketch, massing study, collage, photograph or existing render.
The camera and composition are already working.
You want to explore mood, materiality, landscape, furniture or atmosphere in one fixed view.
You need to improve an approved image without rebuilding the scene.
You work in software that can provide a useful view but does not need to send a navigable 3D model.

The image route can still begin in SketchUp, Archicad or another modeling application. The important difference is that Visoid receives a fixed two-dimensional composition. Changes to camera position or geometry must be made in the source application and supplied as a new image.

Choose a full 3D model instead when you need several cameras, map placement, controlled sunlight, reusable contextual assets or frequent model revisions. Compare the routes in Choose your starting point: image or 3D.

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2. Start with the least detailed input that communicates the decision

More detail is not automatically better. Each piece of information guides the result, while each undefined area gives Visoid more room to interpret the scene. Add only the detail needed for the design question you are exploring.

Design definition	Suggested input	Best for	What you control
Most conceptual	Sketch	Fast mood and form exploration	Composition, main outlines and design intent
Early spatial idea	Volumetric or massing view	Scale, silhouette and relationships between volumes	Overall geometry and viewpoint
Developing concept	Sketch over a massing view	Testing openings, façades and landscape ideas	Geometry plus selected design cues
Material and context study	Collage or site photograph	Placing materials, vegetation, people and surroundings	Location, scale and approximate appearance of key elements
Most defined	Clean textured model view	Developed designs and approved compositions	Camera, geometry, material zones and scene structure

3. Build the input from conceptual to detailed

3.1 Begin with a sketch

A sketch is useful when speed and exploration matter more than precision. It can be a hand drawing, a digital sketch or a simple line drawing from a design application.