SketchUp and V-Ray: 7 ways you can start making money

Over the past two decades, architects and designers have branched out into a wide range of creative fields, from 3D visualization to graphic design and CGI in movies, to architectural visualization and city building in video games.

The majority of these projects were undertaken by architects and designers, and it is natural that the way architects used to earn money has drastically changed. The rise of freelance work has seen a big shift in the design and construction industry from the days when architects earned their living through design practices with an approved license from the authorities.

In the last two years since COVID and lockdown, when most professionals have undertaken their own projects, the need for architectural and 3D visualization has caused designers to pursue various sub-branches in architecture and design.

From architecture to product design and graphics, Sketchup and Vray are popular design visualization software for visualization.

Here are the Top 7 ways you can make money with Sketchup and Vray.

1. Stock Photo Creation

In addition to architectural photography, architects can also earn money by taking pictures of high quality 3D models made using Sketchup and Vray.

When one of your images or videos is downloaded at a popular stock photo site such as Shutterstock or Tumbler, you will earn between 15% and 40% commission based on the number of downloads.

2. Freelance Work

After COVID lockdown and most of the world being forced into their houses and taking work remotely, freelance work has seen a big boom in the last decade thanks to the boon of internet.

It is possible to find employers and employees through the use of sites like Freelancer, Upwork, Flexjobs, Fiverr, among others, which are some marketplaces where they can find each other. Members of the site can bid on work posted by employers in a competitive tender process. Contests can also be hosted and entered on the site, with prize money offered as a reward.

No matter where you live, work marketplaces like Upwork and Fiverr make it easy to find high quality freelancers and freelance opportunities. There are a lot of platforms out there that connect people with a wide variety of skill sets and a lot of clients who are willing to pay them.

3. Architectural Competiotions

Young architects can get exposure to a variety of new projects through architecture competitions, get a chance to participate, and even win the project by winning these competitions, despite the fact that it is not exactly one of the newer paths.

It is still regarded as one of the most prominent things in architecture and construction as most of our current architects have gained their foothold through architectural competitions.

In addition to facilitating small to medium architectural, landscaping, and interior projects, Archbazar is one of these competition platforms that bridges the gap between clients and designers.

As a result, clients benefit from a wide range of affordable design solutions. The designers benefit from this because they win cash, enhance their portfolios, and gain valuable experience.

4. Getting Advertisements from Real Estate Companies

One might not realize that real estate companies and 3D visualization have a connection at first glance, but out of all the subbranches of architecture designers have pursued, the marketing department of real estate companies is heavily dependent upon and closely intertwined with architectural visualization.

A lot has changed for real-estate firms since computer rendering and digital reproduction were introduced. Now, they can give clients more than just a formal handshake. Through renderings and animations, they could show potential buyers what could be achieved without having to tell them what it would be like.

5. Doing Freelancing on behalf of firms

The best way to gain experience as a 3D visualizer or architect is to take on significant 3D modeling and rendering work for different projects.

As you become better and better at your job, you will be able to deliver the required 3D models in a shorter period of time, thus enabling you to take on more projects from multiple firms, which will not only expand your network but also bring in a substantial sum of money for you.

6. To sell 3D packs and 3D Assets

Professional designers and 3D visualizers often have their own 3D models or a set of 3D models ready to use. A lucrative way to make money with Sketchup is to design objects and sell them on 3D model websites.

This method can be difficult to gain traction, but if you enjoy modeling objects in Sketchup and are looking for some passive income, consider it.

To learn more, watch the following video tutorial.

Video Source: SketchUp School

7. Setting up a business that prints 3D objects

Last but not least, we have the 3D printing industry, which has not quite established itself as well as the other methods, but certainly has a bright future. In addition to being important as digital drawings today, 3D printing will also become a multibillion dollar industry as well as a necessary visual language in the construction industry.