Class 10 - In-Class Finds

Rendering:

Most of you probably have access to a V-Ray or Maxwell Render - but those cost money unless the legality is in question.  Here is a free renderer from Rhino:

http://v5.rhino3d.com/group/neon

This combined with a nice tutorial from one of my favorite websites:

https://visualizingarchitecture.com/

The guy above uses very basic renderings from his digital models and uses Photoshop to create extraordinary results.

If you do not like the "finished" look - maybe take a layered approach - layer some grasshopper over rhino over some hand rendering etc...  Think of your rendering as an information center for the project - good example - http://ltlarchitects.com/non-profit-foundation-headquarters

Diagrams:

The diagram is the key drawing you will use to get your point across.  Good examples can be found by BIG Architects and Morphosis.  These diagrams are processional - building the process to the culmination of the project.  You could also take the approach of a diagram that explains the project at a more finished level - like such:

http://www.archdaily.com/87669/marina-beach-towers-oppenheim-archit... 

Or something more exploded and conceptual like this:

http://www.67a2.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/exploded-ped.jpg

Site stuff:

You can use a plug-in like Elk to bring in an OSM file - this is a bit let invasive then using GIS (Heron would be a plug-in to bring in GIS).

http://www.food4rhino.com/app/elk?ufh=  (look at instructions on bringing in OSM)

https://www.openstreetmap.org/user/new (need to sign in - it's free!)

Another good tool is from LMN Architects.

https://lmnarchitects.com/tech-studio/fabrication/contour-tool/

An interesting program in beta testing:

http://www.earthgenome.org/