Realistic Renderings in AutoCAD without Add-ons…

[Milt-Fitz]

To All Members, Just wondering if there was an easy way to get “Realistic Renderings in AutoCAD without Add-ons? Specifically I’m looking for an option that works similar to Revit for those of you that have use both programs and really know what I’m talking about. For those that do not have Revit, or that do not understand what I mean by realistic renderings, all you really need to do is look at some of the latest Autodesk advertizing or check out my attachments. What I did was “redraw, or re-cad” another drawing to make it 3D (converting flat 2D elevations to 3D) This was sort of a “No Brainer”, and should be for your intermediate to advance CAD personnel except… the newly created 3D file “Still” has a “Cartoony Look” (again refer to my attachments). Up until recently, I have had no real complaints doing this type of work, meaning converting files over to 3D especially since most of the “BIM” work has been just to check for collisions. In fact, most of the other trades prefer to use the “Cartoony Look” because things will stick out if something looks out of place. This also has been the case for my 3D printed files meaning the customers don’t really care about the look, the just want to see that the file is workable, or “printable”. The reason I’m asking about “Realistic Renderings” is that this now seems to be the norm for people using Revit. Lately I’ve been hit with questions such as “Why don’t your files look Realistic”? or “How do I know if that file is in 3D”, or the usual “How do I know if that’s to Scale”? So, without using an “Add-on” is there a way to easily create a realistic rendering in AutoCAD? My guess is “No” which is no problem for me because I am using other CAD software, “BUT WOULD PREFER” to just stick with Autodesk. As usual, any information or help is appreciated. Thanks in advance. Regards, Milt

[Anonymous]

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@Milt-Fitz wrote:
To All Members, Just wondering if there was an easy way to get “Realistic Renderings in AutoCAD without Add-ons? Specifically I’m looking for an option that works similar to Revit for those of you that have use both programs and really know what I’m talking about. For those that do not have Revit, or that do not understand what I mean by realistic renderings, all you really need to do is look at some of the latest Autodesk advertizing or check out my attachments. What I did was “redraw, or re-cad” another drawing to make it 3D (converting flat 2D elevations to 3D) This was sort of a “No Brainer”, and should be for your intermediate to advance CAD personnel except… the newly created 3D file “Still” has a “Cartoony Look” (again refer to my attachments). Up until recently, I have had no real complaints doing this type of work, meaning converting files over to 3D especially since most of the “BIM” work has been just to check for collisions. In fact, most of the other trades prefer to use the “Cartoony Look” because things will stick out if something looks out of place. This also has been the case for my 3D printed files meaning the customers don’t really care about the look, the just want to see that the file is workable, or “printable”. The reason I’m asking about “Realistic Renderings” is that this now seems to be the norm for people using Revit. Lately I’ve been hit with questions such as “Why don’t your files look Realistic”? or “How do I know if that file is in 3D”, or the usual “How do I know if that’s to Scale”? So, without using an “Add-on” is there a way to easily create a realistic rendering in AutoCAD? My guess is “No” which is no problem for me because I am using other CAD software, “BUT WOULD PREFER” to just stick with Autodesk. As usual, any information or help is appreciated. Thanks in advance. Regards, Milt

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Attachments didn't stick.

[Milt-Fitz]

Sorry Trying to upload.... There always seems to be an issue (since2013) with posting messages (http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/community-feedback/forum-changes/m-p/4728181#M6824). Just like some other things, getting the forum board to work properly is not high on the share holders list... 😞 Anyway. if I can't edit my original message I'll add the attachment in the next post.

[pendean · Accepted solution]

Examples here from another user using only R2013 https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/visualization/rendering-with-autocad-2013/td-p/6411576/jump-to/first-...

[dgorsman]

Hard to follow the wall-of-text format.

While AutoCAD can do some rendering, it's not that great at it; at least, it requires a lot of work just to get something reasonable.  You'll be best served by using other software.  My first recommendation would be for Navisworks Simulate.  You can send an NWD file, readable by the free Navisworks Freedom program, and the client can literally walk/fly through the model in 3D (no more questions about "is that really 3D"), take measurements, and inspect objects for information (if its included).  It can also do some pretty decent rendering and basic animation.

[Milt-Fitz]

Well... It doesn't look like the boards are letting anyone edit or add content properly... 😞 Dean (https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/37212) even you post, or links are not working on my end. I'll see if I can get this up on my Blog Site (http://fitz-digital-cad-service.blogspot.com/?_sm_au_=iVVktR54r1DQNDPF), but I'll have to repost in another link... Hopefully, the boards will update this so we can literally all be on the same page....

[Milt-Fitz]

Wall of text.... that's another issue meaning the format that I had this typed in doesn't seem to work, thus we (I) am now getting a "Wall of Text" 😞

[pendean]

Links are working fine for me here. Firewall issues on your end, or content blocking?

[Milt-Fitz]

Yea,... I think so.... Hate to say this about my main employer but sometimes working for a good tech company can work against you. Anyway, I'm going to repost form my blog: (http://fitz-digital-cad-service.blogspot.com/2016/10/realistic-renderings-in-autocad-without.html?_s...) Hopefully this doesn't get blocked or fire-walled....

[Milt-Fitz]

Ok... for now, until I get this fire wall setting changed here is the link to show what I'm talking about: http://fitz-digital-cad-service.blogspot.com/?_sm_au_=iVVktR54r1DQNDPF

[pendean]

Figure out a way to get to the link I posted to see what many are doing with "just AutoCAD".

As for your post, your images look the way they do because of the exceptionally smooth pristine finishes/textures you are using, the unrealistic smooth perfect green flooring (lawn), perfect lighting, not enough shadows, flat windows/doors framing (also without shadows), and a brick pattern that is flawlessly even.

Professionals use Photoshop to doctor up images like that for a reason: your images are just too pristine and clean, and they can do it all way more quickly in other software designed to photo touch-ups..

Sure if you have the time and a client willing to pay for it you could do it all i just AutoCAD, but that's not the reality of professional grade images creation out here in the real world of selling ideas.

Good luck.

[Milt-Fitz]

Thanks Dean (http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/37212) On one machines (off the network) I was able to view the files... They are Great. To bad I couldn't post without using outside links. That being said there needs to be a way to do this with out spending a whole lot of time. The files I show with the grass, paving and brickface were all done with another program (outside of Autodesk) Like I said, if I could get images like the one's shown (https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/visualization/rendering-with-autocad-2013/m-p/6411576#) I wouldn't have to use a "3rd Party Software package"

[Milt-Fitz]

To the Group, Again, thanks for the help, especially to Dean, (http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/37212) and dgorsman, (http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/253793) for pointing out a few things and getting me pointed in the right direction... With that being said, there still are a few things that need to be cleared up... 1.) So where exactly would I find these rendering settings, or would I need to just "test the waters" ? 2.) As far a viewing things, posting items, reviewing and adjusting my forum settings, this is a "no go" for me The setting just don't seem to be working so I apologize in advance if this post becomes a "wall of text" Again refer to the posting from a few years ago:(http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/community-feedback/forum-changes/m-p/4728181#M6824). 3.) How about "Reverse Rendering" meaning, what if you are stuck with a 3D model and only need a flat 2D view for "clarifications reasons"? Again since I'm unable to add information (even from my home), I will try to explain myself better in another post,

[Milt-Fitz]

Regarding "Realistic Renderings in AutoCAD without Add-ons"… (final spin) Quick Note to the Moderators…. Just wanted to follow up with anyone that monitors input to the forum. Lately there seems to be a problem with setting up the format of board posting. I actually think for me at least, this has been a problem since 2013, or basically since the community board (http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/community-feedback/forum-changes/m-p/4728181#M6824) updated the site. Prior to this “Upgrade” I really have had no major complaints, in fact from showing other CAD users here in my office how the forums worked we were able to resolve problems here in the office by a simply “Goggling” the question, or problem, reviewing what was on the forum and resolving the issue. Again, prior to 2013, If the problem we had was not listed or shown, for me there seemed to be no issues with asking or posting the question adding the screen views, or attachments. Now, (since 2013) this seems to be a problem. When I research this issue and found that others were having the same issue, I thought for sure the moderators would at worst go back to the old format, and at best “Fix” how the forum currently works. Well… for me the issues with uploading or changing the format of how postings get listed “STILL” is not working properly. Including this post, please look at my earlier question regarding “Realistic Rendering” (http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/autocad-2013-2014-2015-2016-2017/realistic-renderings-in-autocad-witho...). Yes… I was able to post the question, and yes I was able to get a partial resolution, if not the whole answer in a nutshell but… the initial posting of the question had to be done in several attempts. And “Just like This Post” formatting of the questions and inclusion of attachments did not work so we had to go another route. By the way, I am posting this on my own personal blog "Tech-Info and Rants" (http://fitz-digital-cad-service.blogspot.com/?_sm_au_=iVVfFkjtBRf62HD5)and it should be in the right format as I intended to show. Most likely as dgorsman (http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/253793) has pointed out to me on my other community board postings, this will look like a “Wall of Text”

[Anonymous]

Rendering in AutoCAD 2015

Rendering in AutoCAD 2014

 

Rendering in AutoCAD 2010