Z-fighting happens when the graphics engine cannot reliably determine which surface should be drawn in front. The most common causes include:
Overlapping geometry (e.g. two walls, floors, or slabs placed on top of each other)
Duplicate surfaces created accidentally during modeling
Extremely thin surfaces without proper offsets
Imported CAD or BIM layers stacked without cleanup
Precision limits in real-time rendering engines
Because walkable virtual spaces rely on real-time rendering, these issues are more visible than in static images or floor plans.
In a walkable virtual space, z-fighting can:
Cause floor textures to flicker while walking
Make walls or ceilings appear unstable or broken
Distract home buyers and stakeholders
Reduce trust in the accuracy of the design
Create the impression of low-quality visualization
For companies using Visiofy to present architectural designs, eliminating z-fighting is essential for delivering a smooth, realistic walkthrough experience.
Architects and designers most often encounter z-fighting in these scenarios:
Floor finishes placed directly on top of structural slabs
Interior walls duplicated between floors
Ceiling panels overlapping with structural ceilings
Imported furniture with duplicate faces
Exterior cladding layered over walls without offsets
These issues often come from modeling for construction, not for real-time exploration—an important distinction when preparing models for walkable virtual spaces.
To avoid z-fighting in Visiofy walkable virtual spaces, follow these best practices:
Check for overlapping walls, floors, or surfaces and delete duplicates.
Slightly offset finishes (e.g. flooring above slabs) so surfaces are not coplanar.
Ensure walls, floors, and ceilings have realistic thickness.
When importing from CAD or BIM tools, remove unnecessary layers and construction-only geometry.
Prepare a version of the model specifically for virtual walkthroughs, not construction documentation.
This preparation ensures your Visiofy experience remains clean, immersive, and client-ready.
| Issue | Description | Common Cause |
|---|---|---|
| Z-Fighting | Flickering between surfaces | Overlapping geometry |
| Texture Stretching | Distorted materials | Incorrect UV mapping |
| Clipping | Objects disappearing | Camera near/far plane issues |
| Low Resolution | Blurry visuals | Large textures/poor optimization |
Z-fighting is unique because it is geometry-related, not texture- or lighting-based.
When designing models intended for walkable virtual spaces like Visiofy:
Model cleanly and intentionally
Think in terms of real-time exploration, not just drawings
Test navigation early
Simplify where possible
Prioritize visual clarity over construction detail
This approach improves performance, realism, and client understanding—especially for non-technical stakeholders.
How to Make Your SketchUp Models Look Perfect in Visiofy