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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Posts
    3

    How Can I Make the 3D Images Look Better?

    There is so much to like in Chief Architect. But I would really like to improve the look of the 3D renderings. SketchUp is so good at this. Is there something I can do to get the 3D images in Chief to look like the kind I draw in SketchUp? I would like the line edges to show and I would like the model to be brightly illuminated on all sides. Right now, all I get is two sides with reasonable lighting and the other two sides seem to be in the dark. SketchUp does not have this problem.

    And I would like to be able to have these better images come up quickly. Am I asking for the impossible?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    LOCKPORT NY
    Posts
    18,655
    all I get is two sides with reasonable lighting and the other two sides seem to be in the dark

    Bill:

    I agree

    for years and years and years I have asked for a "four suns" option
    or the ability to have the sun angle default to the camera angle

    It can be a real PITA to try and get some quick renders only to have to stop
    and fuss with sun angles etc

    Lew
    Lew Buttery
    Castle Golden Design - "We make dreams visible"

    Lockport, NY
    716-434-5051
    www.castlegoldendesign.com
    lbuttery at castlegoldendesign.com

    CHIEF X5 (started with v9.5)

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Wasilla, Alaska
    Posts
    799
    I assume you've tried using vector view for a look that's a little closer to Sketchup?
    Michael

    Chief Architect X3-X6
    Windows 7
    I5 Quad core 8 GB
    NVIDEA Ge Force GT430

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 1999
    Location
    Sydney Australia
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    4,044
    How about Technical illustration....or B&W watercolour/line drawing...or....
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version. 

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    Glenn

    Chief X5
    www.glennwoodward.com.au

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  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Posts
    3
    The vector view takes care of the lines, sort of. But how do I add the materials and shadows like I can do easily in SketchUp?

  6. #6
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Philippines
    Posts
    1,180
    You may use the watercolor render technique with "Line Drawing on Top" turned on. Click Camera View Options for shadows. see attached.

    Click image for larger version. 

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    Jintu E.P. Montego
    info@jintudesigns.com
    jintu@cadexpress.biz

    X5
    Triweekly rendering updates on facebook

    --------------
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  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Wasilla, Alaska
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    799
    That's a really good use of the watercolor with line drawing Jintu. I use it myself quite a bit, but never with those settings. Nicely done!
    Michael

    Chief Architect X3-X6
    Windows 7
    I5 Quad core 8 GB
    NVIDEA Ge Force GT430

  8. #8
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Philippines
    Posts
    1,180
    Thank you. X6's quick shadows made me use the technique quite often now as well.
    Jintu E.P. Montego
    info@jintudesigns.com
    jintu@cadexpress.biz

    X5
    Triweekly rendering updates on facebook

    --------------
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    Mobo: ASUS P8H77 - MLE
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  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Posts
    3
    Thanks, Jintu. Your rendering looks good. I am using X5 right now and I have been reluctant to download X6 until I gain some more experience with Chief. I don't suppose you can do this kind of rendering in X5, can you? Plus I have a new computer with an NVIDEA graphics card I am going t use. But I want to swap out the hard drive for an SSD drive, first. One question for you. Does X6 regenerate the 3D image quickly with the settings you use?

  10. #10
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Philippines
    Posts
    1,180
    Hi Bill,

    You can do the same technique in X5, the only difference is the shadow, it's much faster now.
    Jintu E.P. Montego
    info@jintudesigns.com
    jintu@cadexpress.biz

    X5
    Triweekly rendering updates on facebook

    --------------
    Windows 7 Home Premium - 64bit
    Processor: 3rd Gen Intel Core i7-3770 3.40GHZ 8MB (Ivy Bridge)
    Mobo: ASUS P8H77 - MLE
    RAM: 8GB DDR3 PC1333 Kingston ( 2x4GB)
    Hard Disk: WD Caviar Green 1 TB
    Video Card: 1GB Sapphire Radeon HD6670 DDR5

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Albany Georgia
    Posts
    272
    Quote Originally Posted by Chiefer View Post
    You may use the watercolor render technique with "Line Drawing on Top" turned on. Click Camera View Options for shadows. see attached.

    Click image for larger version. 

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    This is what I do too, mostly for marketing images.

    Click image for larger version. 

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