AU09 Speaker Handout AU118-1L

8/9/2019 AU09 Speaker Handout AU118-1L

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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 [email protected]


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The beauty of simplicity:AutoCAD renderings

in seven steps

2

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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in seven steps

3

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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in seven steps

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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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in seven steps

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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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in seven steps

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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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in seven steps

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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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in seven steps

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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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in seven steps

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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!

Documents

AU09 Speaker Handout AU118-1L