The Tutorial for

Photoshop Rendering Elevations

By

Zean Mair-Macfarlane
Author's Note

A book inspired by popular request. Designers and

students have always asked me, “What software do
you use to render and how do you do it?” The
following ebook addresses this question through a
step by step guide to photo enhancing an architectural
visualisation. From light to shadows, to cropping and
layering. The ebook aims to inspire all in the design
industry.

Zean Mair-Macfarlane
2017
The Author

Zean Mair-Macfarlane completed his Part 1 and Part 2

architecture degrees at the University of Lincoln
(United Kingdom). Macfarlane was able to gain a
distinction in his Part 2 along with a RIBA Student
Silver Medals Nomination. As well as teaching
architecture Macfarlane has also worked at renowned
practices such as Foster+Partners and David Collins
Studio.
 Beginning

So where did it begin? It began with a sketch! If you

want to see this process live check out my Instagram
@zeanmacfarlane. With that said it’s also important to
mention that it can start from anything! An idea in your
head or even a CAD drawing.
 Experiment

I nearly didn’t include this stage but every little detail

helps with finding your own rendering style. I wasn’t
quite happy with how the shadows were sitting on the
sketch so I duplicated the layer and repositioned the
shadows of the upper part of the building.
 How

It’s pretty simple, you can duplicate the layer or literally

copy and paste the area in Photoshop.
 Texture

Presentation drawings look best when you get the

layering right. I would also class this technique as a
type of collaging. Unlike 3d softwares we are
depending more on your illustration skills to achieve
depth and texture to your drawings.
 How

So how do we get textures like this onto our drawings?

You’ll need the polygonal lasso tool. That little tool bar
along the side will appear throughout the ebook. Just
so you know what tools I’m using to perform the task.
 Where?

Spoiler alert! Some of my textures come straight from

google. I also have a folder of my own textures that
I’ve compiled through my own photography and
illustrations.
 Light

If you haven’t already, remember to check out my

other ebook, “100 tips for drawing and rendering”.
Some of the points discussed here are also
referenced. Combining those 100 tips along with this
tutorial will definitely set you up on the right path!
 Injecting Light

So the lasso tool is used again but this time filled with
white with the bucket tool. Remember to have a play
with the opacity with textures and infills to get your
desired look.
 Shadows

As I mentioned before, part of the key to Photoshop

rendering is utilizing the layers correctly. Read below
to find out how!
 Injecting Shadows

Just like light we use the same method. Mapping the

shadow with the lasso tool, filling it with black instead
of white and easing up the opacity. Easy right?
 It’s alive

With a little luck your drawing will start to become

more realistic.
 Adding more shade

So it’s the same technique here the only difference

being is the opacity is a little darker.

.
 Brick

Selecting the right textures isn’t necessarily a skill you

can teach with an ebook. But be creative with your
own style. Start contrasting your own textures and see
which work for you.
 How

Google once again, it’s your friend use it wisely.

Remember to be careful with copyright law too. Check
out the 100 tips website for tips on sourcing images.
 Can you spot the change?

There’s a subtle gradient at the bottom of the bricks.

Buildings tend to be a little bit darker along the bottom
edge. Read on to find out how I achieved this effect.
 Brush Tool

You want to choose a brush type which is flared or

blurred towards the edges.
 And then…

Simply crop around the edges.

 The Look

The finished effect looks something like this.

Remember to pan down the opacity. You could also
use the gradient tool to achieve a similar look, I
personally find the method I just showed you quicker.
But if you’re interested, give “gradient tool in
photoshop” a google.
 Numbers

Adding numbers to your drawings is easy. The tool I

use is called the “horizontal type tool”. The numbers
you insert can represent many things. The levels of
floors, the structure, algorithmic data or simply titles
and information, the list goes on.
 More Layers

I’ve added another shadow ontop of the brick, read

below to see how.
 Lasso

The good old lasso tool again. Remember to check for

different lasso types. You can do this by right clicking.
Although not used here the magnetic lasso tool is
quite useful for cropping around existing images.
 Highlighting

As you can see, I’ve highlighted the window and door

areas with black.
 Target

Target the areas that need to be visible in order for the

drawing to make sense to the viewer.
 More Shadows

There’s a heavier shadow underneath the top of the

brick
 Fill

And once again it’s been filled in black with a darker

opacity.
 Boom

Did you notice? The drawing just got darker. You can
do this by accessing the “levels” tool on Photoshop.
Scroll down to see what it looks like.
 Levels

“Levels” is normally found on the right hand side of

your Photoshop control panel. Depending on your
version it may differ.
 How the setting looks

The best advice I can give at this point is to have a

play. If you bring the tabs highlighted above to different
points of the line you’ll see different results.
 Other textures

Be creative with the textures you use.

 What is it?

It’s actually just a hatch texture. This one was straight

from AutoCAD but I’m sure you can find similar
hatches on google. Although not always needed in this
case it just adds a little more texture to the drawing.
 Match

I got a little greedy and added the same texture to the

brick. Why? Well in short, it looked better.
 Glimpse of light

Same as the shadows, I cropped a space showing

where the light is coming from and filled it with white. I
made a little note above because everyone has their
own preference. The drawing in my opinion could be
done here.

Top tip: you could also remove the sketch layer at this
stage to give a cleaner effect.
 Overlap

Instead of leaving the drawing as it was. I put some

emphasis back into the hand drawn side of the
illustration. This was done by copying the layer and
bringing it to the front.
 More Depth

As you can see I’ve added more depth to the

illustration with another shadow.
 Subtle

Very hard to see in the drawing but I was adamant to

give you guys your money’s worth! There are very thin
white lines on each edge of the façade. I did this with
the lasso tool. If you right click once masked your
perimeter you can use the stroke option. Once you
click stroke you input the thickness and bingo!
 Outlines

We are coming to the end now. I’m just adding some

finishing touches. A small window frame technique can
be achieved with the same stroke tool. If you want to
know how to use the stroke tool type “using stroke in
photoshop” into YouTube.
 Window Shadows

No magic needed, just mask out how you imagine the

shadows would hit the building and bingo!
 Highlighting

A bit more highlighting and depth around the doors.

 Touches of light

There’s a few touches of light to the top of the building.

I also inserted this effect onto the other three grooves
before finishing.
 Finished!

So there you have it. From start to finish on how to

Photoshop your elevations and architectural drawings.
Give it a go and best of luck!

If you liked the ebook remember to leave us a positive

review! Thanks!
Free Advice

Interested in receiving more guidance? For a limited

time only Zean Mair-Macfarlane is offering free advice
to students through the following social platforms.

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Copyright © 2017 Zean Mair-Macfarlane

All rights reserved. Including the right to reproduce this

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text may be reproduced in any form without the
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Version 2017.10.10

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment

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