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Cheating for clients


Sindala
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Hi there,

 

Today a client asked me to make the houses (free standing holiday houses) smaller in the aerial shot so that the plots look bigger.

I haven't replied to his email yet because it is absolutely wrong in my opinion, and am thinking of telling him to shove it.

 

I am wondering if anyone here has ever had a request to bend the truth and if you did?

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Ugh! What a tough spot. So the client doesn't question the accuracy, the client just wants you to change it? In cases where I am working with someone who thinks we're a little off I'm willing to be flexible but I don't like the idea of "fooling the folks". I would think that by editing the image as the client requested you would also be exposing yourself to potential liability should any litigation arise.

 

Sorry man!

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Well I suppose it comes down to what you'll regret more later. Helping your client deceive his/her customers, or losing the client. Of coarse you might not end up losing the client...but you have to go worst case when evaluating these decisions.

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In my job, I am asked to cheat on what an image shows ALL THE TIME. Most of it is only minor "visual adjustments" that have no significant impact on the overall scope of the project, however even the smallest changes can sometimes still bite you on the ass when not considered carefuly.

 

As an artist contracted by the client to produce an image(s), you give them what they ask for. In this situation I would not be so concerned. The buyers of the properties will still be looking at the block sizes and dwelling size/scale from drawings, plans, legal documents and their own site inspections.

 

When all is said and done, the image you created was only ever a visual representation "artists impression" that should not be held accountable for its accuracy.

 

I understand 100% the moral grounds that you are questioning if the line is being crossed, but I do not think the request to make the blocks look a little bit bigger in an aerial 3D image is so decietful that you tell your client to shove it.

Edited by Cyberstyle
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True it is artistic impression, however there have been cases where people have pulled out of the deal because the finished building didn't look like the renderings and court cases followed shortly after.

 

I have no problem with putting in blue birds and unicorns (we need more of those, these days).

 

jhv

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Your client is paying the bills (including paying for making the plots "look" bigger) so I would just go with it if I were you. Its an artists impression you are creating after all, not a legal document. Make sure you keep a copy of the e-mail asking you to make the change and keep the client happy if you think they are worth retaining.

 

Jim

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Some good tips, thanks so much.

 

It looks like the client agrees, we are now looking for other "tricks" to make things look bigger like removing some of the hedges and carefully placing trees.

 

Justin, i will send the client a good disclaimer. Good tip!

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Worked on a job for a client, back when I was working for a arch viz firm, client requested we remove the railroad tracks in the back of some plots. People moved in, sued the client for not representing the views correctly. Care to guess where the big turd rolled? The client tried to blame us but forgot the original views had the train tracks in them and that emails create paper trials.

 

It's always a good idea to make sure the client puts the artist conception disclaimer.

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We've made some architectural simulations using our game engine, so they are fully interactive, and you can look and go anywhere - and generally our clients end up asking us to put people onto fixed paths. They don't want people to get a realistic look, they want to show some carefully picked camera angles.

 

In one case we were asked to model a bathroom where the door wouldn't actually open, because the dimensions were so far off. In general we have tried to compromise, play with the field of view and so forth, rather than actually model inaccurately. Its a tricky situation.

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I honestly see no problem what so ever with it.

 

You where hired by your client to produce a set of images/visualisations. The client asked for a change to the scale of some objects so you do it for him/her.

 

If the client uses said images to deceive anyone, that has nothing to do with you. The client did not ask to produce 100% accurate representations that would hold up in court, you where hired to make images that they can use for whatever they need to.

 

Honestly if anyone refused to make a change like that if i asked i would think they are being unfair and unreasonable. Simple fact is, client needed some images made, you where hired to make them how he wants them. If client wants to lie and make things out of scale then thats his issue, you are simply there to create his/her images.

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To be honest, this whole industry is about bending the truth. Part of the job. As long as its not for planning submission as was said earlier and has to be accurate, its ok. If your concerns are with people being lied to, I'm sure there is a host of supporting documentation that goes with your images in which people can get accurate information about the site.

 

You also have a right to suggest your artistic opinion and influence how much they get adjusted in size, i.e suggesting if you make them too small it is going to look strange or something like that

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I am going to sue that ab roller informerical company. That thing didn't make my abs look like the ones on TV! This is marketing... we are lied to every day. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hibyAJOSW8U

 

Just make sure your contract has a clause stating the images are purely representational and the client must provide a disclaimer on the images as artistic representations. I cant imagine a renderer would be held liable for this.

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I cheat all the time. Not aerial shots but interior. Sometimes you have to change the room height to get better view, hide column etc. The clients usually want a good looking picture, not an actual reprentation of reality. Most people will render direct sunlight to a room on the nortside of the building without even thinking about.

 

I also have clients that want everything to be exactly like they will be built, that´s fine too.

 

Another moral dilemma for you:

 

If you get assingment to design what looks like a prison camp in the jungle, will you do it?

 

I had a project like that once, and even though assured me that the 6 meters tall fence was for keeping people out, I´m still bit doubtful on that. I have no knowledge on one way or the other, and it was a really good client I´ve done lots of work to, so I just did it and forgot it.

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Several years ago I was hired by the U.S. Navy to provide an image of the interior of a proposed new research and testing facility at a sub base. When I asked for the plans, they told me that they were classified and they couldn't release them to me. When I asked how I was suppose to know what to image, they said, "Make it up. Just show a couple of pools, some tanks and lots of pipes and valves." So I did, they were happy and paid me. Strangest job I've ever done.

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Several years ago I was hired by the U.S. Navy to provide an image of the interior of a proposed new research and testing facility at a sub base. When I asked for the plans, they told me that they were classified and they couldn't release them to me. When I asked how I was suppose to know what to image, they said, "Make it up. Just show a couple of pools, some tanks and lots of pipes and valves." So I did, they were happy and paid me. Strangest job I've ever done.

 

Haha this isn't so unique, I had one "make it all up" job too :- ) But yours is definitely more funny. I hope NAVY pays well ;- )

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Several years ago I was hired by the U.S. Navy to provide an image of the interior of a proposed new research and testing facility at a sub base. When I asked for the plans, they told me that they were classified and they couldn't release them to me. When I asked how I was suppose to know what to image, they said, "Make it up. Just show a couple of pools, some tanks and lots of pipes and valves." So I did, they were happy and paid me. Strangest job I've ever done.

 

You know what, maybe they even build it your way ....

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