Start Here!
Welcome to my Blog! If you are new around here then keep on reading, this is the best place to start with this blog. If you are already a follower? You might benefit too from the direct links to the best content around here that you might have missed. This is just the first version of this page, and I’ll refine it from time to time, so feel free to send me feedback about it if you like.
Introduction
ronenbekerman.com is dedicated to the art of architectural visualization with the blog at its hart accompanied by a community forum, dedicated new challenge site network and an online shop offering software and content specific to the archviz field.
So what can you do around here… other than browsing the blog to your heart’s content 
The Forums
1. Join, Browse and Post on the Forum.
The forum is a great place to showcase you work, either finished or still in progress, and get feedback from the community. It also provides a great opportunity to be showcased on the blog’s front page as a “Forum Spotlight” gaining greater exposure this way.
The forum also has a Techniques and Workflows section for in-depth discussion about aspects of our daily work – Modeling, Texturing, Lighting, Landscaping, Postwork and more.
You’ll need to sign-up to the forum before you can start posting, but you can go ahead and visit anytime!
The Challenges
2. Explore the Past & Current Challenges. Join in yourself!
Joining a Challenge is a great way to push your skills to the limit – with a possible award to win too. With two major challenges and several miniCHALLENGES each year, you always have a chance to take part in one.
Even if you do not develop your own entry, I urge you to comment and add feedback on the works of others. In the end – we all gain from these events, sharing and learning from each other.
The Shop
3. One Stop Shop for all your Archviz Needs.
Well… maybe not just yet – but very soon! The Shop was just launched and items are being uploaded little by little. The shop is part of Polytown, my Architectural Visualization Studio and Software Distribution Company.
Most of the Software & Content featured inside the shop is being used in my Studio and in most cases this is one of the factors according to which we decide if an item go’s live on the shop – after a period of testing in-house.
My Newsletter & Social Channels
Before I let you go so you can start reading the great content this blog has to offer you, I’d like to kindly invite you to subscribe to my newsletter, which will keep you updated with the many things going on around here – news, new content, challenges, giveaways, freebies and much more.
As a thank you, you’ll get instant access to a collection of free models that you can download and use personally and commercially (each item might have different terms, but most of them are totally free).
Articles to Start With Right Now!
I’ve gathered articles representing my workflow below, but here are a few other articles that you might want to start your way around here with. The core content of the blog are the Making-Of articles, written by some of the most talented artists in our field. Here are a few that represent a wide cross-section to start with (showcasing 3D Studio Max, Cinema4D, Blender, SketchUP, V-Ray, Mental Ray & Indigo Render).
And a selection based on the Winter / Snow theme
How about plugin related articles…
1. 9 SketchUP Tips for Better 3D Modeling Workflow.
10 Years of experience with SketchUP modeling distilled into a short and to the point article showcasing the most important workflow elements as I see them. Expect a part 2 very soon.
2. Linear Workflow Made Simple by Matt Gorner.
Not written by me, but the best showcase of Linear Workflow is. This is the setup I use in all my rendering works.
3. Making of Ms House Part 1 + Part 2.
This two-part making of will take you from the CAD stage to final rendered image after postwork. Part 1 includes CAD, SketchUP & Export to 3D Studio Max. Part 2 includes importing of the SketchUP 3D model, Camera Setup, Lighting Setup, Materials & Textures, Rendering and Final Post Production.
The MS House scene (a basic version) is available for download for all Newsletter subscribers – So make sure you subscribe to get it!
4. HDR Image Based Lighting 3D Scene Setup.
In this article I showcase how to light up the MS House scene with a High Dynamic Range Image (HDRI) as opposed to the LDR used in the two parts making of above. I’m also providing a free PureLIGHT HDRi Sky Dome for download inside – so make sure you get it!
5. VrayLightMtl+VRayDirt For Quick AO Render Checkup.
Getting into more detail about the AO pass technique used in the MS House articles. This is great for initial drafts and for modeling checkup.
6. How To 2D Postwork a 3D Render.
A rundown of a Post Production process on a final render. Follow the slideshow and see how I take the raw image and get to the final result inside Photoshop. This article represents a process that I do in almost all my still renderings.
7. Enhance 3d Renders with 2d Elements.
The most common 2d elements you probably add to your renders in final post are trees & people cutouts, but you can do so much more. In this example I’m also adding a TV and Light Fixtures in a few simple steps.
That is all for this Getting Started Page. I hope it helped you to find your way around the content better and If you have any suggestions… please contact me and tell me about it!
I want you to know that I’m here for you and that I’m doing my best to respond to all emails (it’s been getting tougher lately as this blog gains in popularity, but I will always do my best to respond!), and I do not hold myself above anybody. I’m not special – Just an Architectural Visualization Artist like you, who works hard and cares for our community, trying to create the best place online for us.
Thank you so much for your support, and if you made it so far, I’d love for you to come say hi on my Facebook page. I’ll definitely respond, and I look forward to meeting you!
Cheers,
Ronen Bekerman
p.s. If you have found this page helpful, please click on the ‘LIKE’ button below. Thanks!
