Post on 29-May-2018
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The beauty of simplicity:
AutoCAD renderings in seven stepsLeonardo Casado, Associate AIA Autodesk, Inc.
AU118-1L Whether you are an experienced AutoCAD user, or just recently learned to usebasic 3D modeling tools, when the time comes to present your architecturaldesigns, the workflow for creating renderings can be daunting.
AutoCAD has very powerful visualization tools, and understanding how to usethem systematically can help streamline your visualization workflow and createbeautiful renderings very quickly.
This lab session will discuss seven steps you can implement to transform yourmodel from a basic 3D construction into a final high-end rendering and coverconcepts such as modeling details, illumination, material creation, andcomposition. Join us to learn how easy it can be to utilize the visualization toolsthat are already at your fingertips!
About the Speaker:Leonardo Casado is an architect with more than 12 years of Autodesk software experience. He isthe Product Support Manager for AutoCAD and other platform products in the Americas. Before
joining Autodesk, Leonardo worked as an architectural designer and CAD manager in the US andLatin America. He also teaches several CAD classes at the Boston Architectural College.info@leonardocasado.com
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The beauty of simplicity:AutoCAD renderings
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Basic 3D project geometry before
applying textures, illumination or
setting perspective views
Architectural project
rendered in AutoCAD
Introduction
Rendering in a 3D program is about transforming a 3D model into a static,
polished, 2D image. AutoCAD offers visualization functionality that can producevery realistic renderings. These tools are often overlooked by the average user,
but with a little practice, can be quite powerful and easy to implement in a few
simple steps.
In AutoCAD, the 3D modeling process is important for geometrical accuracy, but
to capture the essence of architectural projects, it is also important to select
proper textures and appropriate illumination.
In this lab, we will review seven exercises that cover the basics of rendering a
3D model and save the resulting image in AutoCAD using a sample
architectural project.
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AutoCAD 2010
http://www.autocad.com
System Requirements
Intel Pentium 4, 1.6 GHz, or
equivalent AMD Athlon processor
Microsoft Windows Vista or
Ultimate; Windows XP
2 GB RAM
Resources
Architecture and Design Visualization
Webcast Serieshttp://www.autodesk.com/aec-architecture-
webcasts
Design visualization webcasts for
AutoCAD, AutoCAD Architecture and Revit
Architecture users
VisMasters
http://www.vismasters.com
Architectural visualization community with
galleries, tutorials and resources for 3D
modeling and rendering artists
ArchVision
http://www.archivision.com
Maker of RPC (Rich Photorealistic Content) and
source for multiple 3D models and images of
people, trees, cars, etc.
Bionaticshttp://www.bionatics.com
Maker of EASYnat and provider of
AutoCAD plug-in and content for
multiple species of plants
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2D Drafting Worspace
Setting up the Stage for 3D Work
In this lab we will be working with a 3D model of a single-family house that was
created using regular AutoCAD solids.
The 2D elevations and floor plans used as a reference for creating the model
are inserted as 2D blocks in Layer 0. Note that the 2D blocks are aligned with its
correspondent elevation, which is good practice to validate consistency between
opposing elevations. This can also be done with external references from the
original 2D drawings, to allow for designers to modify the 2D drawings while the
3D model is being constructed.
3D View with visible section box to reduce geometry
The default user interface for AutoCAD mostly consists of 2D drafting
commands. To enable 3D modeling and visualization commands, you can
switch the current workspace to the 3D Modeling workspace.
ChangingtheWorkspace1. Open AutoCAD 2010
2. Switch Workspace to 3D Modeling
3. Open nantucket_house.dwg drawing (file found at: C:\Dataset\AU118-1L)
4. Right click the Ribbon and check Panels > Layers to turn on the Layers
panel
5. On the Home > View panel, select SW Isometric
6. Change the Visual Style to Conceptual
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The Mesh Modelingpanel from
the 3D Modeling workspace
Step 1 Geometry
Most architectural 3D models drawn in AutoCAD contain the main building
components, but exclude geometry that represents the ground. This groundplane is crucial for renderings, since it provides a horizon line in perspective
views and is also a place for shadows to be cast. The horizon and shadows are
an essential part of renderings as they suggest a three-dimensional volume and
define its silhouette.
The mesh box object provides enough flexibility to create a quick ground plane
that represents the contours of the site. The default settings will generate a flat
box, but by adjusting the elevation of the perimeter edges, it is easy to simulate
slopes.
Mesh object used for ground plane
Exercise1:ModelingtheGroundPlan1. Zoom to the extents of the drawing
2. Change the Visual Style to 2D Wireframe
3. On the Mesh Modeling > Primitives panel, click Mesh Box
4. Draw a mesh box the size of the exiting rectangle and specify a negativevalue for height
5. Hold the CTRL key and select the mesh box edges to adjust their height
6. Select the mesh box, right click and select Convert Mesh to > Smooth
Surface
7. Change the Visual Style to Conceptual
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Rule of thirds
Great renderings require more than
accurately linked models and
cameras that are properly placed.
With computer-generated
renderings, you are communicating
design ideas to your client, and
proper composition can help create
a balanced and interesting image
The rule of thirds in visual arts,
primarily in photography, states
that any rectangular image should
be divided in equally spaced thirds,
horizontally and vertically. The grid
lines resulting from these divisions
should be used to align the most
significant features of the image
This technique permits images that
are more balanced and
aesthetically pleasing
Photo composition using
rule of thirds
Step 2 Cameras
A good understanding of composition principles will allow you to generate a
variety of different and compelling images from the same 3D model. When youplace or move a camera, it is important to look at all the possible angles that
may capture different and important details of the building model. As you move
the camera or model, different elements will come to view and the illumination of
the building will adjust.
Cameras in AutoCAD can be saved by selecting the desired angle, and then
saving the view. This allows you to continue to edit the model in different views,
and then return to the saved view to restore a preferred image composition.
Exercise2:SavingaCameraView1. Change the view to an isometric view, and the visual style to Conceptual
2. Turn offLayer 0
3. Right click the ViewCube and select
Perspective
4. Hold the SHIFT key and press the mouse wheel
to rotate the model in 3D
5. Zoom in/out and pan the model to adjust the
camera angle
6. On the Home > View panel, select
View Manager
7. On the View Managerdialog box, click New
8. EnterStreet ViewforView Name and click OK
Once you have saved the view, you can switch to
2D Wireframe visual style and continue to model in
other views such as Top, Left, Isometrics, etc. At
any time you can switch back to the Street View
view to visualize the changes made to the model.
You can also adjust the camera angle by changing
its location directly in the drawing area.
9. Change the view to Top, and the visual style to 2D Wireframe
10. Change the CAMERADISPLAY variable to 1
11. Select the camera object and move its location in Top, Left or Front view
12. Change the view to Street Viewto update the drawing Model space
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For full shadows to be displayed,
hardware acceleration must be
used, and the option for Full
Shadow Display checked. The
command 3DCONFIG > Manual
Tune opens the dialog box in which
these options can be found
2D Wireframe Visual Style
ConceptualVisual Style
Shadow(Custom) Visual Style
Step 3 Visual Styles
The Visual Styles in AutoCAD can be modified to display shadows. It is always
a good idea to create a new visual style instead of modifying existing ones, soyou can always revert to the original settings. Visual styles are stored in the
DWG file and cannot be copied from one drawing to another.
Exercise3: EnablingShadowsinaVisualStyle1. On the Home > View panel > Visual Styles, select Visual Styles Manager
2. On the Visual Styles Managerpalette, right-click the Conceptual visual
style and select Copy
3. Right-click and select Paste
4. On the newly created visual style, right-click
and select Edit Name and Description
5. Change the Name to Shadowand click OK
6. On the Visual Styles Managerpalette, underEnvironment Settings,
change Shadow Display to Full Shadows
7. Change the current visual style to Shadow
Note that there are no visible changes in the drawing and the shadows are not
visible. The reason for this is that the current illumination in the drawing is set to
Default Illumination instead of a single source of light. Turn on the Sun to
display shadows.
8. Select the Rendermenu
9. On the Sun & Location panel,
click Sun Status to turn on theSun
10. On the warning Lighting pop-up,
select Turn off the default
lighting
11. Adjust Date and Timer slidebars
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The Sky and Background
Illumination option can only be
turned on if the view projection is
set to Perspective and photometric
lighting is enabled.
To enable photometric lighting,
change the LIGHTINGUNITS
variable to 1 or 2
Step 4 The Sun
The quality of the illumination used in a 3D scene is crucial to the success of a
rendered image. Without a defined source of light, AutoCAD uses defaultillumination to give the illusion of 3D, but with this type of light, renderings result
in flat images.
The easiest way to illuminate the exterior of an architectural 3D model is with
the Sun. AutoCAD uses Mental Ray, which is the same rendering engine used
by more advanced program such as Maya and 3ds Max to accurately simulate
indirect illumination.
Exercise4: EnablingtheSun1. Change View to Top
2. Rendermenu > Sun & Location> Set Location
3. Change North Direction (Angle: 75)
4. Click Use Map
5. Select Nearest City (Boston, MA)
6. Accept Updated Time Zone
After setting up the location and north
arrow parameters, the shadow
representation should provide a realistic
simulation of shadows for this project on
its current site.The slide bars on the Sun & Location
panels, as well as the Sun Parameters
dialog box can be used to control with
precision the exact time and date before
the scene is rendered.
7. Sun & Location panel > adjust Time and Date slide bars
8. Open the Sun Properties palette for more precise adjustments
9. Switch to Street Viewview
10. Render
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The Materials Palette
dialog box in AutoCAD
Step 5 Materials
Textures allow us to distinguish objects in a 3D model that are made of different
materials, such as gloss paint or unfinished wood. Once applied to the modelgeometry and rendered, it gives us a better idea of what the final rendered
object would look like after it is constructed.
In AutoCAD, textures are created by the repetition of a
particular element, which is usually an image captured from a
photo of a real-life material. This image can be used to create
a Material Definition in the Materials palette and then applied
to 3D objects.
TheMaterialsPaletteA material is defined by a number of properties, and they are
specified in the Materials palette.
In the Materials Editor section of the Materials palette you can
select a type of material and a template to create your new
material. After you set these properties, you can modify new
materials even more by using maps, such as texture or
procedural maps.
The Globalmaterial is always available in a new drawing.
This material is applied to all objects by default until the
material is changed on an object. You can use this material
as a base for creating a new material.
Exercise5: CreatingaNewMaterial1. Select the Rendermenu
2. Under the Materials panel,
open the Materials palette
3. On the Materials palette,
create a New Material and
name it Shingles
4. Under the Template
pulldown, select Wood
Unfinished
5. Click the color swatch to change the color
6. On the Maps Shingles, underDiffuse Map, click Select Image
7. Select white_shingles.jpg and click Open
8. On the Material Scaling & Tiling section, change the Scale Units (Inches),
and enterU Tile and V Tile values (60 and 60) and close the palette
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Material definitions can be directly assigned to objects or assigned By Layer,
this factor should be considered when first starting a 3D model. Assigning
materials by layer offers the advantage of making changes globally to all the
objects that use the same material in the scene. For example, you could quicklyreplace shingles with clapboard for the wall objects without redefining the
material, or reassigning materials to individual objects.
9. On the Materials panel, click the Materials pulldown and select Attach by
Layer
10. On the Material Attachment Options dialog box, drag the Shingles
material from the left column to the 3D Walls layer on the right column
11. To display the materials in the scene, change the Visual Style to Realistic
Additional materials parameters can be defined, such as Opacity levels for
glass.
12. On the Materials palette, create a New Material and name it Glass
13. Under the Template pulldown, select Glass - Clear
14. Click the Checkered Underlay button to turn it on
15. Click the color swatch to change the color
16. Change the Opacity level (50)
17. Use the Material Attachment Options dialog box to apply the Glass
material to the layers 3D Door Glass and 3D Window Glass
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The EASYnetplug in for AutoCAD
can be downloaded from
http://www.bionatics.com
Bionatics is used in this exercise as
an example of a free plug-in that
ships with sample geometry. Many
other plug-ins such as RPCfrom
http://www.archvision.com, and
basic 3D geometric available on
theAutoCAD Design Centerthat
can be used to obtain similar
results
Step 6 Environment
Modeling trees, cars, and people from scratch can be a time-consuming process
and a project in itself. A more practical option is to use plug-ins available forAutoCAD with content that can be inserted in a drawing and adjusted to meet
the style required for the project.
For this exercise we will use the EASYnat plug in from Bionatics, which offers
species of trees that can produce a very natural appearance using complex
mesh geometry. This plug-in creates a tool palette from which you can insert the
specific trees, adjust their properties based on botanicals parameters, and then
render to obtain a very realistic image.
Exercise6: AddingTrees1. Change Visual Style to 2D Wireframe
2. Change View to Top
3. EASYnat menu > select English Names
4. EASYnat palette > click Cypress
5. Insert trees in drawing
6. Change View to Front and move the tree to its final position
7. Modify trees properties (Age: 25, Season: Summer, Render Level: Hybrid)
8. Switch to Street Viewview
9. Turn on the Sun, Background Sky and Illumination
10. Render
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Consider rendering your image to
smaller resolution when it will beviewed on-screen
Use higher resolution for printed
publications
Step 7 Rendering
File Format Considerations
The most common graphic formats for still images are TIFF and JPEG.
The TIFF format can be uncompressed, retaining the color integrity and
transparency values, and it should be your choice when sending renderings to
printing services or using them with desktop-publishing applications for your
printed presentations.
Options when saving TIFF images
The JPEG format can be compressed, and thus much smaller; however, if much
compression is used, there can be some loss of image quality. The JPEG
format should be your choice when you plan to send renderings via email or
publish them on the web.
Options when saving JPEG images
Image Resolution Considerations
When rendering an image, select the resolution size based on the final productand the delivery method. If you are sending the image as an email attachment,
think about the screen resolution of your recipients, so the image is not too large
that they need to scroll in their browsers to see it.
If the images will be printed, consider the printing hardware resolution and the
image size. For example, if your image will be printed as a 4x6 postcard at 300
dpi, your image should be rendered at a resolution of 1800 pixels wide by 1200
pixels tall.
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AutoCAD
Render window
Exercise7: RenderaViewThe rendering process calculates how light interacts with materials and surfaces
of a 3D model, and produces a series of color pixels that result in a rasterimage. The more complex the building geometry and material properties such
as reflections the longer the rendering process.
In AutoCAD, the rendered output is displayed in a separate dialog box by
default. This frame window has controls to save the final image to a file by
specifying a file name, type, and location.
Before we import a DWG file, we need to change our user interface to use the
tools that are specific to Design Visualization. The DesignVIZ.mentalray setting
is appropriate for photorealistic render of architectural models. To change the
user interface to DesignVIZ.mentalray:
1. Select the Rendermenu
2. On the Renderpanel, click the Rendericon
The first render most likely will lack proper illumination, and some of the colors
will look very bright. To adjust the illumination, it is required to turn on the Sun
and enable Sky and Background Illumination. The resolution of the final
rendered image can also be adjusted for final output.
3. On the Renderpanel, click the Renderpulldown
4. Click the 640 x 480 pulldown and select Specify Image Size
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5. Enter800 x 600and click OK
6. On the Renderpanel, click the Rendericon
7. On the Renderdialog box, select File > Save
8. Enter a file name and select the file format underFiles of Type
9. Click Save
Final Image
Architectural project designed by CWA Architect. EASYNat is a product from Bionatics
Conclusion
AutoCAD offers advanced rendering tools that can make a significant difference
in your architectural visualization projects. Follow the seven steps ofGeometry,
Cameras, VisualStyles, Sun, Materials, Environment and Rendering, and
you will be able to create high-end images that will impress your clients!