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Case Study: Vela Longview | Raleigh, North Carolina
Elevating High-Rise Marketing with Photorealistic 3D Exterior Renderings
We partnered with Vela Developments to create a suite of 3D marketing renderings for Vela Longview — a new 30-story luxury apartment tower located steps from Moore Square in downtown Raleigh, NC. Rising above the city’s historic core, the tower introduces a modern standard of high-rise living in one of North Carolina’s fastest-growing markets.
Project Description
Vela Developments needed visuals that could do more than show architecture — they needed imagery that captured the essence of upscale urban living in Raleigh.
To emphasize both scale and setting, the building was fully modeled and rendered in 3D, then seamlessly composited into professional drone photography of the site. This approach blended crisp architectural detail with the authentic texture of the surrounding city — producing visuals that feel both cinematic and real.
The final 3D exterior renderings highlight how Vela Longview integrates into Raleigh’s skyline, capturing its light, atmosphere, and connection to the city below.
Project Challenges
To make Vela Longview stand out in Raleigh’s skyline, our team had to solve a series of visual and storytelling challenges.
Challenge 1: Capturing True Urban Context
With Raleigh’s evolving skyline, it was essential that the new tower felt authentically placed — accurately reflecting real vantage points, scale, and light conditions from the site.
Challenge 2: Blending CGI with Real Drone Footage
To achieve seamless realism, lighting, shadows, and perspective had to match perfectly between the 3D model and drone photography.
Challenge 3: Balancing Detail with Atmosphere
The visuals had to communicate both architectural precision and lifestyle appeal — detailed enough for investors, yet inspiring enough for residents.
Project Solutions
To meet these goals, we combined 3D exterior rendering expertise with advanced compositing and visual storytelling.
Architectural Modeling & Texturing:
The building was modeled with full structural accuracy, including material finishes, glazing details, and lighting effects that reflect Raleigh’s distinct skyline ambiance.
Drone & CGI Integration:
We matched the 3D renderings to high-resolution drone imagery of the real site, carefully aligning perspective and lighting to achieve a natural, cohesive blend.
Lighting & Mood Strategy:
Daytime and dusk versions were created to highlight both the tower’s sleek design and its warm residential character — balancing professionalism with aspiration.
Project Results
The completed renderings serve as high-impact marketing visuals for both investors and potential residents.
By using CGI instead of traditional photography, Vela Developments gained:
Early marketing capability before construction began.
Consistent, flexible visuals across web, print, and investor materials.
Cost-effective scalability, with options for future animations and interior CGI.
The final images now feature across Vela’s investor presentations and marketing materials — reinforcing the development’s premium identity and establishing its presence within Raleigh’s competitive urban landscape.
About NoTriangle Studio
At NoTriangle Studio, we help developers, architects, and marketing teams visualize the unbuilt through high-impact architectural visualization services — from 3D exterior rendering to full-scale marketing animations.
Our visuals are designed to connect emotion with precision — helping projects stand out, inspire confidence, and drive real results.
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Related Projects
Regent Residences, Dubai – Twin luxury towers designed by Foster & Partners, visualized through cinematic animation and photoreal interior scenes.
Harlem Towers, New York – Landmark mixed-use architecture in the heart of Harlem, captured through immersive, context-rich visualizations.
Our Core 3D Design Services
Transforming Real Estate & Architectural Projects with Unmatched Exterior Rendering Services
Take your real estate projects to new heights with our 3d exterior rendering services and let us create visuals for you that will leave your clients astonished. Reach out to us via the form in the link below or call us