API to integrate external render engines.

[TrippyLighting]

While the Fusion team is doing a great job to improve the internal render engine in Fusion 360 some things simply require the use of an external render engine. To develop visual effects and the optics of my lighting systems () I use the unbiased render engine Indigo Renderer.

There are many good resaons to have an API for external render engines.

1. Many external render engiens have very extensive material libraries that have taken years to develop Maxwell would be a good example here.
2. It takes a while to familiarize oneself with a given renderer and develop own materials for ones own purpose and its ineffective having to repeat that effort with an internal renderer
3. Realistically the F360 internal renderer is unlikely to achieve the speed, features and quality of specialized rendering tools.
4. etc.

Many 3D packages provide this API in form Python (Blender for example) so this would be a natural fit for F360.

[cekuhnen]

Just usable OBJ export already would be nice 😉

I guess they don't want to offer this.

[charegb]

We have APIs to support this. Keyshot has already built a plugin based on this.

Thanks,

Bankim

[TrippyLighting]

@charegb

Great. Do we just have to take your word for it, or could you possibly share some details as to how to get some documentation about said API ?

You set this topic to "Solution Provided" but quite frankly you have not provided any solution at all.

A solution would enable someone to write an exporter 😉

[charegb]

You don't have to take my word for it, look in the documentation, there is an extensive section for the API. 🙂

http://fusion360.autodesk.com/learning/learning.html?guid=GUID-DE5B70A6-AA7D-439D-8284-2F0382AB6C90

I also gave an example of the Keyshot addin that already does what this idea described so its possible for other rendering products to do it too.

Indigo would need to create a plugin for Fusion now like they seem for have for other Autodesk products.

Cheers,

Bankim

[TrippyLighting]

Thanks for the quick feedback. I have created a few small updates for the Indigo exporter/plugin  for Blender and am in process of upgrading my Python skills so I am not entirely unfamiliar with the subject.

I'll dig through the online docs and see where I can get with it.

[charegb]

I also wanted to point out the API forum which can provide answers if you get stuck somewhere with the API.

http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/api-and-scripts/bd-p/22

Hope to see you there,

Cheers,

Bankim

[TrippyLighting]

Thanks again!

I am stuck already...with only 24 hours a day. I could do with about 12 more. And two more arms.

Wheres the support forum for that 😉

[3Dpcb]

I would also like to use Maxwell Render inside Fusion 360. It is absolutely fantastic. www.maxwellrender.com

Please integrate Maxwell Render with Fusion if possible.

[PhilProcarioJr]

@3Dpcb

Autodesk doesn't integrate other companies renders, You should contact Maxwell and ask them to make a plugin for Fusion.

[3Dpcb]

The sad update to this is, that Onshape is now integrated into Maxwell Render Studio and I got this reply from Maxwell....

Reply from Maxwell Render:

" Hello Peter,

Unfortunately it is not in our planning to develop a plugin for Fusion 360 at this moment. We'll take a look at this. Sorry for inconveniences.

Best wishes,

luisM. "