You’re looking at a stunning architectural rendering — sharp shadows, well-balanced light, golden hour perfection. But it’s not quite right. It’s too sterile. Too sterile. It’s like nobody actually lives in, works in, or even exists in the building. What’s missing? People.
Whether it’s a shiny rendering of a residential project or a commercial walkthrough, humans in 3D renderings bring life to static images. They convey scale, function, and emotion. But though they’re as powerful as adding a character, placing humans in a rendering isn’t quite as easy as dragging and dropping a stock image. There are decisions to make — and each one has its own creative and technical implications.
If you’re hiring 3D modeling experts from the leading platform Cad Crowd or working with a CGI studio, understanding your options for adding people to your renderings can save time, elevate realism, and avoid common pitfalls. Let’s explore the four main approaches used by architectural visualization pros — along with when to use them, what to expect, and how to choose the right one for your project.
Option 1: 2D cutout people — Classic, quick, and cost-effective
You’ve probably seen this before: a stylish couple walking past a glass storefront, or kids playing in a courtyard — all seemingly pasted into a realistic scene. That’s the work of 2D cutout people — flat images composited into a 3D environment during post-production.
Why use 2D cutouts?
- Speed: They’re fast to add. Most 3D artists have extensive libraries of pre-made cutouts.
- Affordability: Because it doesn’t require complex modeling or rendering, this method is cost-effective.
- Stylistic flexibility: From photorealistic to stylized (think watercolor or sketch style), 2D cutouts can match almost any visual tone.
The catch?
They’re flat. That means they don’t cast accurate shadows or respond naturally to lighting changes. The illusion works best from fixed camera angles — especially for still images.
This technique is best suited for rapid 3D architectural visualization services, initial design presentations, and stylized work where photorealism is not the top concern.
Best for: Competition renders, marketing images with tight deadlines, and concept renders.
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Option 2: 3D scanned people — Hyperrealism at a price
If you’re going for ultra-realistic CGI — the kind that makes people double-check if it’s a photo — you’ll want 3D-scanned people. These are high-resolution models created using photogrammetry or laser scanning, capturing realistic skin textures, clothing folds, and even facial expressions.
What makes 3D-scanned people stand out?
- Lighting accuracy: Since they’re actual 3D geometry, they interact naturally with the scene’s lighting and cast realistic shadows.
- High fidelity: Ideal for close-up scenes or VR walk-throughs where accuracy is critical.
- Depth & scale: They have a genuine feeling of scale within the building context.
What to look out for:
- Performance heavy: Such models are gigantic in file size and computation requirements. Best avoided in real-time rendering unless they have been optimized.
- Limited poses: Until you spend extra for extra scans or a rigged character, pose variations are limited to what was scanned in.
Communicate with 3D rendering professionals, whether you desire scanned individuals rigged for animation purposes or just as static high-resolution models.
Ideal for: Photorealistic renders, film-quality animations, and high-reward presentations (consider investor pitches or developer showcases).
Option 3: CGI-modeled characters — Custom, versatile, and fully controllable
This is where it gets really bespoke. With completely modeled CGI characters, you or your rendering guru constructs humans from scratch — or employs rigged 3D assets that can be posed, animated, or customized to match a particular demographic, dress style, or activity.
Why use modeled people?
- Total control: Alter poses, clothing, facial expressions, and animations at will.
- Interactivity: Perfect for animated sequences, walkthroughs, or AR/VR experiences.
- Brand alignment: You can ensure the individuals in your renderings match your actual target market — business professionals within a coworking environment or suburban families within a neighborhood.
Downside?
- Time & budget: Building and animating characters from scratch is time-consuming and costly.
- Skill requirements: Not all 3D CAD design professionals possess excellent character modeling experience. It’s a specialized skill set.
This option excels when you must convey something highly specific — a branded experience, special user behavior, or a day-in-the-life series.
Best for: Branded work, immersive marketing campaigns, interactive digital models, or when storytelling takes center stage.
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Option 4: Silhouetted or abstract people — Minimalism with maximum impact
Less can be more. Abstracted human forms — silhouettes, white mannequins, or line drawings — may imply human presence without diverting focus from the architecture.
What’s the benefit?
- Tidy look: Not cluttering the image or vying with architectural features.
- Conceptual style: Ideal for early-stage schemes or projects where the emphasis is upon form, arrangement, or lighting.
- Universal appeal: Abstract individuals eschew ethnic, gender, or fashion-based renderings — which can be useful in public or civic designs.
And the drawback?
It’s not photorealistic. It’s also not going to enable viewers to imagine themselves emotionally connecting with the space — which could be a lost sales or marketing image opportunity for architectural design firms.
That being said, abstract figures are often great in architectural competition entries, city planning images, or minimalist illustrations.
Best for: Schematic designs, public spaces, cultural venues, and architectural competitions where form trumps lifestyle.
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So which one should you choose?
Choosing the right style of people to use in your architectural planning and design services can make or break how your project is received. Here’s a quick cheat sheet to guide you in the right direction:
Each of these choices has a purpose. 2D cutouts are perfect when speed is the most important factor and you require fast visual impact for listings or marketing materials. For high-end, jaw-dropping realism, particularly for luxury properties, 3D-scanned individuals assist in adding that last touch of believability.
For animations or virtual reality experiences, CGI-modeled characters are the way to go because they can move and interact within the environment. Meanwhile, competition entries or early-stage designs tend to thrive on abstract or silhouetted people to imply human presence without dominating the architecture.
But don’t forget—it’s not only about where you put which people. It’s also about whom you bring on board to make your vision a reality. A good visualizer will be able to seamlessly integrate people into the narrative your space is creating.
What to ask when hiring 3D modeling experts
If you’re outsourcing, screening your modelers isn’t just a matter of glancing over a sparkly portfolio. Here’s what to ask in particular about people in renderings:
What types of people have you previously worked on?
Check the past work to observe the scope — photorealistic, stylized, animated? This is how you judge whether their level of experience meets your requirements.
Do you maintain an asset library, or will we have to buy assets?
Some freelancers or businesses have existing libraries. Others may require you to license third-party models, which increases your expense.
Can we view a draft with and without people?
This is important for iteration. Occasionally, what appears appealing on paper isn’t exactly the case in practice.
How do you address diversity and representation?
If the project is public or community-oriented, it’s crucial to achieve the correct cultural or demographic balance in the individuals represented. Make sure to communicate every piece of detail to the 3D modeling design services with which you are partnered.
Red flags to avoid
Not all 3D experts are character design experts — and that’s fine. But watch out for:
- Generic or out-of-place stock people that don’t fit the situation.
- Inconsistent lighting between characters and the scene.
- Clumsy scaling or perspective — who yells “amateur” more than someone the size of a doorframe?
- “Floating” characters — lack of grounding or absent shadows shatter immersion in a moment.
The good news is that experienced visualization pros will have processes in place to prevent these problems — and can suggest the optimal method on your timeline, budget, and intended use.
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Bonus tip: Think mixed methods
When designing architectural visualizations or 3D renderings, the best strategy is to hybridize. Rather than be bound by one strategy, think about layering various techniques in an effort to balance realism, efficiency, and cost. For instance, inserting 3D-scanned individuals in the foreground gives your scene realistic presence and scale, drawing the viewer’s eye and creating a sense of immersion.
These high-resolution models provide realistic shadows and lighting, which greatly enhance overall rendering quality. In the background, at the same time, you may employ 2D silhouettes, cutouts, or even lower-res 3D models to imply activity and depth without burdening your system or your budget. You may even include 3D character modeling services in your partner list to take your visualizations to the next level.
Such a layered approach provides your visuals with a natural sense of depth without compromising rendering times or costs. Whether you’re working under a tight deadline or optimizing for performance, blending methods is an intelligent approach to creating professional, visually appealing results without compromise.
Final thought: People are the soul of a space
A stunningly rendered architectural view without people is like a movie set in need of actors. It can be technically flawless, but emotionally barren.
The trick is to align the human touch with the aims of the project. Are you marketing a high-end lifestyle? Asking investors to imagine a thriving development? Or designing an urban masterplan?
Whatever, there’s a correct way — and a correct person — to realize your architectural dream.
When you are recruiting 3D modeling specialists at Cad Crowd, don’t be a one-trick pony when it comes to structure and lighting. Make certain to also inquire: “Who are the people in the picture?”
Because ultimately, architecture is all about people — and your renderings should be too, from the very first pixel.
