Embracing the Role of the "Civil Visualizer" in Modern Civil Engineering
In the past decade or two, a new role has been emerging in the civil engineering industry as 3D visualization has not only become possible, but sometimes even expected for major projects. Known as Civil Visualizers, these professionals are at the forefront of transforming complex transportation and infrastructure projects into compelling visual narratives. As 3D visualization becomes an essential part of project planning and communication, Civil Visualizers are stepping into the spotlight, using cutting-edge tools to bring designs to life in ways that are both photorealistic and highly informative.
Who is a Civil Visualizer?
A Civil Visualizer is a civil engineering professional who possesses a unique combination of skills in engineering and advanced 3D visualization. These individuals are both technically proficient and creatively inclined, leveraging their expertise to create visual representations that enhance understanding and communication of complex projects. Civil Visualizers are crucial in today’s engineering landscape, where visual storytelling is as important as technical accuracy.
The Role and Skills of a Civil Visualizer
Civil Visualizers are distinguished by their ability to bridge the gap between technical design and visual communication. Here’s what defines their role:
Engineering Expertise: Civil Visualizers are trained in at least the basics of civil engineering, including transportation systems, urban planning, and infrastructure design. At minimum, understanding the ‘lingo’ of the industry is vital to accurately receiving direction on the projects they are visualizing. Their technical background ensures that the visualizations they create are not only aesthetically pleasing but also technically sound and feasible.
Proficiency in 3D Visualization: Beyond their engineering skills, Civil Visualizers excel in using advanced software to produce high-quality 3D visualizations. Tools such as our own Beyond Typicals and the upcoming Civil Engine allow them to create photorealistic models and animations that accurately represent project designs in their real-world context.
Creative Problem Solving and Communication: A key part of a Civil Visualizer’s role is to communicate complex engineering concepts in a way that is accessible to all stakeholders. Through visualizations, they can effectively convey project details, potential impacts, and design solutions, fostering better understanding and decision-making among team members, clients, and the public.
How Beyond CAD Inc. Supports Civil Visualizers
Perhaps the biggest challenge facing Civil Visualizers is that there are very few tools built specifically for them. Architectural Visualizers are able to leverage built-in visualization in Revit and Sketchup while also leveraging the easy-to-use engines of Lumion, Twinmotion and others for rapid and highly realistic 3D visualization. Civil Visualizers often use these tools, in conjunction with civil tools like InfraWorks or Microstation, for inneficient and clunky workflows that may even produce inadequate results. In short, Civil Visualizers have been historically faced with a choice- quickly make low quality visualizations using civil design software OR make expensive high quality visualizations using complex workflows or highly specialized civil viz teams.
At Beyond CAD Inc., we recognize the growing importance of Civil Visualizers in the engineering field. We are working directly to solve this lack of tools built for Civil Visualizers so that they don’t have to make this difficult choice between quality or cost. Our software solutions are designed to empower these professionals with the tools they need to excel in their roles:
Beyond Typicals: This tool simplifies the process of creating typical sections, making it easier for Civil Visualizers to develop detailed and customizable visuals. By reducing the complexity of section creation, Beyond Typicals allows for faster iterations and more effective communication of design concepts.
Civil Engine: Our upcoming platform, Civil Engine, is set to revolutionize 3D visualization in civil engineering. With a focus on ease of use and photorealistic rendering, Civil Engine will enable Civil Visualizers to produce high-quality 3D models with unprecedented speed and accuracy. This tool will allow engineers, planners, and designers to take full control of their visualizations, minimizing the need for external specialists.
These tools will hopefully quickly become industry standard for Civil Visualizers to bring their projects to life, providing a visual representation that is not only accurate but also engaging and easy to understand. Hopefully, all of this high quality 3D visualization will finally come quickly and affordably to the first time or the civil engineering industry.
The Importance of the Civil Visualizer in Modern Engineering
The role of the Civil Visualizer is becoming increasingly recognized in the engineering world, as 3D visualization becomes a standard practice in project planning and communication. Civil Visualizers bring a unique blend of skills that are essential for translating complex technical designs into clear, compelling visual narratives. By embracing this role, the industry acknowledges the value of interdisciplinary expertise and creative thinking in civil engineering.
Recognizing the contributions of Civil Visualizers helps companies identify the right talent and encourages professionals to develop a broad skill set that includes both engineering and visualization. This recognition also opens up new career paths for engineers, planners, and designers who are passionate about visual storytelling and innovative problem-solving.
How to Become a Civil Visualizer
For those interested in stepping into the role of a Civil Visualizer, here are some steps to get started:
- Build a Strong Foundation in Engineering: Strengthen your knowledge of civil engineering principles, particularly in areas like transportation and infrastructure. If you are a student studying civil engineering or a young professional working for an engineering firm or public agency, you are especially poised to take advantage of this movement.
- Learn 3D Visualization Tools: Develop proficiency in civil design and modeling tools such as Civil 3D, InfraWorks, Microstation and Sketchup while becoming familiar with our easy-to-use visualization application Beyond Typicals (and the upcoming Civil Engine) and other industry-standard platforms like Lumion and Twinmotion. Online courses, tutorials, and certifications can help you quickly acquire the necessary skills.
Enhance Your Creative Skills: Think creatively about how to represent engineering concepts visually. Focus on storytelling and communication, and explore different ways to make complex ideas accessible and engaging. Understanding the terminology and workflows of Hollywood VFX and the video game industry can help you bring these aspects of visualization into the civil engineering world.
Network and Collaborate: Engage with other professionals in the field, share your work, and learn from peers. This will help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and continuously improve your skills.
Conclusion
The rise of the Civil Visualizer marks a new chapter in civil engineering—one where visualization is as crucial as design itself. At Beyond CAD Inc., we are proud to support this new generation of professionals with innovative tools that make 3D visualization more accessible and impactful than ever.
If you have the skills, abilities, and passion for blending engineering with visualization, you might already be a Civil Visualizer. Join us in embracing this exciting role and help lead the way in transforming how we visualize civil engineering projects!
