Ray Trace Elevation

[dgavin]

In elevation you can select standard render but tay trace is not available. I am thinking it might be usefull to be able to produce ray traced sections/elevations. Sooooooo,

1.can it be done
2.should it be done
3.anyone interested if it can be done
4.Dennis, go back to bed and start the new year over when you get up!

[Gary Doski]

I don't know of any situation where I would use this? Can you give an example of one?

[dgavin]

I was just thinking of being able to present elevations of walls that were ray traced. Maybe more useful for kitchens and baths. Sometimes the standard camera cannot get everything in it you want but with elevations you can get a whole section of a wall. Just a thought. Looking further into this I don't think lights work in sections with std ray traceing. At least not that I can see.

I know there are those out there saying, "forget about it", just give me ridge caps!
Just a thought.(the RT section)

[portrait]

For elevations, it's useful since you can generate shadows which is really helpful. I would prefer having shadows on vectoral elevations, though.

[Glenn Woodward]

Dennis,
This can be done easily.
One way:
Create your Orthographic elevation (which, as default, generates a vector view).
Change it to a Standard view - toolbar icons are the easiest way.
Raytrace.

Or...you can change the type of view you get with the Orthographic camera by Default Settings...Camera General...Orthographic Techniques..change the Default Mode to Standard and then do your left mouse click drag elevation view.
Or...change the Alternate Mode to Standard and use a right click drag to generate a Standard type elevation.

[Alaskan Son]

Dennis,
This can be done easily.
One way:
Create your Orthographic elevation (which, as default, generates a vector view).
Change it to a Standard view - toolbar icons are the easiest way.
Raytrace.

Or...you can change the type of view you get with the Orthographic camera by Default Settings...Camera General...Orthographic Techniques..change the Default Mode to Standard and then do your left mouse click drag elevation view.
Or...change the Alternate Mode to Standard and use a right click drag to generate a Standard type elevation.

This is what I've also done. And, it can be very useful especially if trying to show a very small area. I had some very customized wall cabinets that were going into a tiny room for example that could only be fully visible using a "ray traced elevation".

[dgavin]

OK, After reading Glenn's post I checked the 3D tab and found the option to ray trace current view available. I was just looking for the icon that appears automatically next to my render icon and not seeing it thought the option was not available. My first learning experience of 2012!

Thanks.