Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
This brief introduction to materials and rendering shows you some of the potential of these
tools. In the rest of the chapter, you'll get an in-depth view of the many ways you can control the
appearance of rendered views from your 3D models.
Creating a Quick-Study Rendering
Throughout the rest of this chapter, you'll work with a 3D model that was created using
AutoCAD's 3D modeling tools. The model is of two buildings on a street corner. You'll start by
using the default rendering settings to get a quick view of what you have to start with:
1.
Open the facade.dwg file.
2.
Click the Render tool near the bottom of the Tool Sets palette.
3.
The Render window appears, and you see the rendering generated in the Render window
display (Figure 21.7).
FIGURE 21.7
The Render win-
dow with your fi rst
rendered view of
the building
Simulating the Sun
AutoCAD allows you to create several types of light sources. If you don't add a light
source, AutoCAD uses two default lighting sources that have no particular direction or
characteristic. The rendering you just did uses the default lighting to show your model.
You can add a point light that behaves like a lightbulb, a spotlight, or a directed light that
behaves like a distant light source such as the sun. AutoCAD also offers a sunlight option that
can be set for the time of the year and the hour of the day. This sunlight option is especially
important for shadow studies in architectural models.
