Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an estimate for my project ?For a free estimate of your project please e-mail, fax or mail your plans and elevations to our location and give us an idea of what style illustrations you want and the date required. The free estimate will be sent to you within 24 hours. If you do not hear back from us, within 24 Hours, please call us at 301-656-2787. Especially, if sent via E-mail, files do tend to get lost in cyberspace. Please include your name, address and phone number on all requests, incase we have additional questions. Back to TopWhat is the procedure to starting an illustration produced for my project ?If you wish to proceed, you need to send us a sign acceptance of the estimate and a 50% deposit, together with all the information necessary to produce the illustration, including material, finish and color descriptions/samples. Upon receiving your approval to continue, Brackett-Zimmermann will prepare a line drawings or 3D wire frames, for viewpoint and architectural detail approvals, before we proceed with the final rendering. Once the viewpoint is chosen and details are approved, we will produce the final rendering in any style you wish. At nearly any stage in the preparation of the rendering, we are prepared to transmit thumbnail sketches or line perspectives by facsimile machine, e-mail, or overnight courier. This mutual exchange of views helps us be completely attuned to your concept in the shortest time possible. Even with painted renderings we can be photograph and/or scan images to be sent via e-mail or overnight courier. Back to TopWhat computer programs do you use ?Brackett-Zimmermann is primarily on a PC platform and fully adapt at computer-aided design, drafting and model building, we use a combination of programs, including 3D Studio Viz®, AutoCAD Desktop®, Adobe® Photoshop®, Canvas™, Coral Draw® and Lightscape®, to create a variety of visual results. Back to TopWhat is the final size of the renderings ?Renderings vary in sizes, but most typical sizes are 18X24" or 24"x36". However, the process that Brackett-Zimmermann uses for Pencil, Pen and Ink and Computer-generated Renderings makes us able to scan and reproduce your rendering at any size you desire. We have in-house capabilities to make high resolution prints, anything from a 4"x5" to a 36"x48" and in either full color or black and white. In fact, for most rendering commissions, we do not need to be given the exact size or sizes, you will need, until after the rendering is completed. Hand Paintings and Water Colors are the exception, sizes for these styles must be determine before the final rendering is started. Back to TopWhat type of drawings can Brackett-Zimmermann work from?Some clients give detail CAD drawings, photographs, and specifications for the renderings they commission. Others prefer to supply only rough sketches and a concept. Either way the results always help the client's customers visualize the proposed buildings. If you send digital files, instead of hard copies, please have them in the following formats: -AutoCAD R12/R2000 (.DWG or .DXF Format) -3D Studio 4.0 (.3DS Format) -3D Studio Max R4 or Viz R3 (.MAX Format) When sending file, via e-mail, please Stuff or Zip your files as it will cut down on transfer time. Please send files to files@bzaonline.com Brackett-Zimmermann does have a 3 MB attachment limit, for receiving, per e-mail. You may have to send files in separate e-mails, if the Stuff or Zip Files are over our 3 MB attachment limit. Sorry for this inconvenience. Brackett-Zimmermann can also accept digital files , in PC or Mac Format, on 3 1/2" Disks, CD-ROMs, 100MB Zip Disks, and 250MB Zip Disks. Back to TopWhat is the cost of a rendering ?Unfortunately, there is no formula for price of any given rendering. Each project varies with architectural scope, technique, and viewer position. For example, aerials and interior views typically take more time than eye line/ground level views since they tend to show more details. Larger scheme projects or intricate patterning takes time, while a smaller projects or rendered plans and elevations take less time. Simple pencil sketches are, of course, lower priced than a full color hand painting. Once we have seen the project and evaluated it, we will give you a not-to-exceed fee in form of an one page proposal. Our proposal are based on either a hourly rate or lump sum, whichever the client desires. Back to TopAre there any additional expenses/ reimbursable charges?Reimbursable expenses such as Printing (offset, inkjet, laser, photocopies, slides, transparencies, etc. including paper), Mounting, Delivery, Packaging, Framing, Film, Photo Developing and any other means necessary for the completion of a rendering are additional and will be bill at our cost . Reimbursable expenses, if applicable, will be spelled out in the proposal. Back to TopWhat is the schedule for receiving the final product?Brackett-Zimmermann normally schedule renderings to be delivered within Fifteen(15) business days, once we receive all the information necessary to produce the illustration, including material, finish and color descriptions/samples. For a nominal fee, if client request, renderings can be completed sooner.. That fee is negotiable and depends on other projects in-house and overtime needed to complete your illustration by your deadline. We suggests that you always gives us a required date for your illustration. It helps us with scheduling, keeping our rates lower, and assuring you a completed rendering when you want it. Back to TopCan I make changes to an in-process or completed rendering ?Yes, however, if the change is an new architectural design change, due to the client, and not aesthetic, there will be an additional charge. We bill hourly for hand time modifications due to architectural design detail changes. For example if during the process you don't like certain landscaping, people, cars, shadows, or colors. We will change them at no charge. However, if you or your client decide to make an architectural design change that changes the structure, from what we were originally given, we will need to bill you for the additional time required to make these modifications. To keep costs lower we always suggest you come to us with a completed design, however, we due have several clients that use us in the design process and get billed hourly.. Back to TopWho retains the copyright to the renderings?Brackett-Zimmermann retains the copyright to all renderings produced and grants our clients and his/her clients unlimited use of the rendering for general business purposes. Any changes or large reproductions to the renderings in whole or in part outside our offices; or resale for profit are subject to a fee or royalty. Back to TopDo you offer any pricing discounts ?Yes, the cost of a rendering can be discounted by as much as 20-40% if the client supplies a 3D Model/Wire Frame that can use to create the final illustration and/or viewpoint of the project. The amount discounted is based on how useful the pre-existing wire frame is to create the final illustration and how much additional editing Brackett-Zimmermann must build to the 3D Model. Back to TopDo you accept credit cards ?Currently we do not accept credit cards. We regret this inconvenience, however, deposits and final payments can be made with either a company check, personal check, or money order. Back to Top |