1. What is Computer Rendering?
Computer rendering is a means of adding color, texture, and detail to a 2D image or 3D model. Rendering programs add detail through the use of graphics that enhance the existing model. For the purpose of this class, only 2D images will be rendered. 3D models are mainly used in larger projects due to their complexity and the amount of time involved.
For the purposes of this class this is what it is: http://clearwaterlandscapes.com/images2/cadplan3.gif
For the purposes of this class this is what it is not: http://arch.hwd3d.com/renderings.php.
Computer rendering can also be used for a hand drawn plan that is scanned and saved as a digital file on the computer. Once this is accomplished, the plan can have color, texture and graphics added to it to make it seem more realistic. We will be using both techniques to add color to a plain model. For the customer, rendering makes the model more appealing because it is more artistic. As a result, the customer may be able to comprehend the design easier. Therefore, the plan may be easier to sell due to a better understanding of ideas between contractor and client.
2. What are the implications for the Landscape Contracting industry?
There are many implications for a Landscape Contracting company to use rendering programs. High quality renderings can add a fresh artistic feel to the process of proposing bids. Computer rendering may make even the smallest company seem up to date and unique among other competitors. This can be helpful when dealing with wealthier clients who may look for an extra incentive to buy. The artistic feel of a well done rendering may elicit just the right emotion a client needs to be convinced of ones ability. In turn, the efficiency of rendering software can then increase production exponentially over that of hand drawn plans.
3. What are the downsides of Computer Rendering?
• Technology involved with rendering is constantly improving and becoming more complex, requiring more time and money for business owners to stay up to date with the latest software.
• Depending on the client, some high-end technology is required. Large rendering programs in some cases can be too complex for smaller firms, and require too much training for larger firms.
• You have a chance that the technology being used may have technical problems. Some of these problems may include computer crashing, virus infections, and memory corruption. Other problems may include printing problems due to faulty or old printers.
4. What are the technologies involved? (software, hardware, services)
The following software list is comprised of both 2D and 3D rendering software suites. For the purpose of this course, this wiki will focus on software packages limited to two-dimensional computerized rendering.
• Software: Adobe Photoshop CS3, Google SketchUp 6 (3D), Drafix PRO Landscape, Motive Systems M-Color 9, Rhinoceros Modeling for Windows (3D), SplutterFish Brazil R/S V2 for 3ds Max and Autodesk VIZ (3D), Autodesk Impressions, Microsoft Paint.
There are two new programs for rendering Sketchup images, SU Podium and Kerkythea, and one that works specifically with CAD images, Autodesk Impression. Podium and Kerkythea both work with Sketchup 5, 6, and Pro to create photorealistic images from your Sketchup images by allowing you to add light, reflections and shadows. Podium works right in Sketchup while Kerkythea is a separate program which must have the Sketchup images exported to it. Kerkythea is a freeware program. Autodesk Impression renders CAD images to simulate hand drawn and “presentation ready” images. Impression understands CAD files and has many styles and tools available.
-SU Podium http://www.suplugins.com/
-Kerkythea http://www.alexschreyer.net/cad/rendering-sketchup-models-with-kerkythea/
-Autodesk Impression http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=9246650
• Hardware: The majority of the software suites currently in circulation today require computer systems powerful enough to adequately handle both two and three-dimensional rendering. That power is complemented by other peripheral devices such as current scanners, printers, and plotters.
Artvps now makes an external processor called the Raybox that only works with the 3ds Max and Autodesk VIZ, software. It is supposed to speed up the image production process within these programs.
- http://www.artvps.com
• Services: There are also companies that provide professional site plan rendering services to enhance your company’s design plans, and allow you the presentation medium that most clients demand. Some examples of these services include:
- http://www.trueview.net
- http://www.hwd3d.com
- http://www.graphicanow.com/-Siteplans/Siteplans.html
5. Which technologies are you going to use and why?
We are going to use Adobe Photoshop CS3 for several reasons. The most obvious is because it is available to us. Secondly, it is a very powerful and precise rendering program that is well known. Due to its notoriety, there is a plethora of free tutorials and help online. We are not experts in using Photoshop, therefore, we will be able to take advantage of the instructions that exist.
We chose not to use Motive Systems M-Color because it is only usable in conjunction with CAD drawings (DWG file formats). Due to our lack of CAD knowledge, it has been determined that our focus will be on Photoshop. This will help us work more efficiently by centralizing everyone’s time and effort to learning Photoshop. Photoshop appears to be a more comprehensive program to use for our purposes. It will give our rendering ability more control while allowing us to work outside of CAD.
Another route for computerized rendering is through the use of open source programs like the GIMP. Open source, for the most part, is a source code of software available to the general public without the hassles of licenses or costs. (For more information on open source see [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_source]). The GIMP is an acronym for GNU Image Manipulation Program. It is a freely distributed program for such tasks as photo retouching, image composition, image rendering, and image authoring. This program is available for Source, Windows, UNIX, and MAC operating systems and is free to all users under the general public license agreement.
The GIMP is a streamlined rendering program similar to Photoshop. It allows the user to easily enhance an image without the need to spend copious amounts of time learning the software. (For program screenshots visit ([http://www.gimp.org/screenshots/])
For the purpose of this course, we may or may not utilize this program; rather, focus more on one piece of software to become proficient in—Photoshop CS3. The acknowledgement of open source programs like the GIMP in this wiki is simply to inform the public that other alternatives exist.
6. What are the resources for learning it?**
There are many resources available for learning how to use Adobe Photoshop software. These resources can be found online as well as in various how-to books. Examples of online resources are as follows.
(Company website)
http://livedocs.adobe.com/en_US/Photoshop/10.0/help.html?content=WS5441FC84-6A84-45f8-9041-C3EA3E357507.html
(About.com free tutorial)
http://graphicssoft.about.com/od/photoshop/Adobe_Photoshop_Resources.htm?terms=Adobe+Photoshop
For additional resources offline:
Here is a list of books(online) available from Barnes and Noble
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/results.asp?WRD=Photoshop+CS3&z=y
Also there is a help database located within Photoshop called “Adobe Help Viewer 1.1” This can be accessed by either clicking the “Help” button and selecting the first option, or just by pressing F1 on the keyboard.
7. How does it work?
Preparing an AutoCAD drawing for Render in Photoshop
Preparing SketchUp Drawings for Render in Photoshop
Photoshop - 2D Render Video Tutorial
Photoshop - Perspective Render Video Tutorial