AutoCAD 3D Modeling: Rendering Types

February 3, 2004 Rendering is the process in which you can create eye-catching images through 3D models. The result of rendering is a raster image that can show the effect of lights, background, fog, landscape, shadows, materials, etc. AutoCAD Render dialog box offers three rendering types by default. Depending on the rendering type the resulting image would be different. The following tutorial shows you the effect of applying different rendering types on a typical 3D image. To apply a render type you need to invoke the RENDER command. You can invoke this command through the Render toolbar [Figure 1].

Figure 1 Note: This tutorial is designed for AutoCAD 2004 though might be applicable to other releases. 1. Download and then open r16_render_type.dwg. The file consists of a simple 3D scene in Perspective projection view [Figure 2]. Note: If you are using AutoCAD 2002 or an earlier release download r15_render_type.dwg.

Figure 2 - Click on image to enlarge 2. Invoke the RENDER command (select View > Render > Render). The Render dialog box appears [Figure 3].

Figure 3 3. Open the Rendering Type drop down list. The list consists of three options as follows [Figure 4]. Render: Renders the scene without the effect of shadows and/or the reflection and refraction of the light. The materials are also not shown properly. This method is the fastest amongst the other methods. Photo Real: Renders the scene with the effect of shadows and materials. You can create photorealistic images in a rather reasonable speed with this method. Photo Raytrace: Renders the scene with the effect of shadows, materials, reflection of light and refraction of light. This is the most photorealistic method amongst the other rendering types.

Figure 4 4. From the Rendering Type list select Render. Click the Render button. The following image appears in the drawing area [Figure 5].

Figure 5 - Click on image to enlarge 5. From the Rendering Type list select Photo Real. Click the Render button. The following image appears in the drawing area [Figure 6].

Figure 6 - Click on image to enlarge 6. From the Rendering Type list select Raytrace. Click the Render button. The following image appears in the drawing area [Figure 7].

Figure 7 - Click on image to enlarge 7. Regenerate the drawing to see the original objects (select View > Regen).

About the Author

Alireza Parsai is the founder of cadpanel.com. He is a mechanical engineer with more than 12 years experience with AutoCAD. Alireza is an Autodesk Authorized Author, the AutoCAD consultant for Al Khawarizmi Institute, a contributing editor for Augiworld magazine, a writer for CAD Digest, and an instructor for AUGI Training Program. He has written 8 books in Farsi, 3 booklets in English, and more than 100 articles for different magazines and newsletters. You can reach Alireza at alireza.parsai@cadpanel.com or visit his website www.cadpanel.com .