Render Tutorial for AutoCAD
AutoCAD is a CAD (computer aided design) program used frequently by engineers and architects because of its tools for drafting precisely measured objects. AutoCAD hasn't traditionally been used as a rendering tool because rendering is a step in the presentation phase of an object's lifecycle; AutoCAD's focus, by contrast, is on the object's design phase. However, user demand and CAD evolution have made AutoDesk (AutoCAD's developer) strengthen AutoCAD's rendering abilities. As a result, the program's users can now create photorealistic 2D images of AutoCAD's 3D objects.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Open AutoCAD and create a 3D display as follows: Press "F9" to enable command-line entry. Then, enter "View." A dialog box with an array of viewport options will appear.
-
2
Select the "SW Isometric" view, which is a 3D view that shows an object's front, top and left sides simultaneously.
-
-
3
Make an object to render: Press "F9," then enter "Box." Click anywhere in the drawing window to define the box's first point. Then, drag to define the box's base, click and drag to define the height, and click again to complete the box.
-
4
Sample different rendering styles: Click the "Render" tab, then click "3D Hidden" from the "Visual Styles" dropdown list. Notice that the box's hidden lines are no longer displayed.
-
5
Click the "Conceptual" visual style to display another view that removes the box's hidden lines. This style also applies a simple shading scheme to the box.
-
6
Select the "Realistic" visual style, and notice that the box has turned black. This is because the box doesn't yet have any materials applied to it.
-
7
Display the materials palette: Press "Control-3," then click on the lowest tabs in the palette. Select the "Finishes" item, which displays materials used for presentation, as opposed to designing.
-
8
Click and drag the "Gypsum" icon from the palette onto the box. Notice that the box has changed its color from black to the shaded gypsum material you just applied.
-
9
Display the box in perspective: Enter the command window (by pressing "F9"), then enter "Perspective." Notice that the box now appears more realistic. This is because perspective views make an object's parallel lines appear to converge as human vision does.
-
10
Create a more realistic rendering of the box: Enter "Render" in the command window. Notice that the resulting image of the box appears closer to that of an actual box.
-
11
Add a light: Enter "Light" in the command window. Then, press "Enter" to accept the default option of a point light, which simulates the light from a naked light bulb.
-
12
Click a screen location anywhere in front of the box to place the light. Then, enter "Render" again in the command window to display a high contrast image of the box.
-
1
References
- Photo Credit house plan image by Jon Le-Bon from Fotolia.com
