The current render dialog is way too simplistic and needs a major overhaul. The render dialog needs to be the same for snapshots, render (software), and the storyboard.
For the render dialog needs the following functions:
- Render resolution - Here, there should be a series of standard presets (4:3, 16:9, HD, SD, etc.)as well as custom options with the ability to save presets.
- Render Quality Presets - Quality presets would enable to user to choose a set of render quality levels such as shadows, ambient occlusion levels, antialiasing, color depth, etc. I would recommend there also be additional controls that go outside the standard viewport rendering, such as those accessible in the Nvidia control panel (if available). This should include both static presents and user controlled presets. For instance, the standard Speed and Quality settings, plus user preset 1 (quality setting set all to way to 11), user preset 2 (all the settings to the lowest setting), etc.
- Select view(s) to render - This feature would allow the user to choose the existing viewport view or select from the bookmarks and/or slide shows. I would recommend a roll-out dialog with a selection for proposals and the requisite bookmarks and storyboards.
- History for save locations - This would be similar to what is in 3ds max, where the user can select from a list of previous file path locations for quick access.
- Submit to local machine or cloud - With this feature, the user can choose the submission method. My local machine because it is fast and I have time, or the cloud because I am on my laptop and I need to work while this is processing. I would also recommend a 3rd option, submit to render farm (Backburner or Deadline).
- Basic or Advanced render settings - It was brought to my attention that the AIW360 render UI is simple to make things simple. Perhaps the dialog would open in a basic mode, with a toggle or rollout to expose advance features.
- Share Presets - I would suggest a master set of render presets which can be exported as a JSON file for sharing with team members.
- Support for Render Styles - I have seen suggestions for adopting render styles similar to what you see in 3ds max or Sketchup. For instance, a illustrative style or water color style. These presets would allow the user to render all the bookmarks in a water color style, or perhaps a mix of standard realistic, illustrative and water color, for inclusion in a proposal.
