topic Re: Rendering Software in Visualization

Rendering Software

Red — Thu, 11 May 2023 10:33:55 GMT

Which software is the best for life like renderings? There are so many out there to choose from. Please don't mention Art-Lantis.

Is their a list out there comparing software? Pros and Cons?

Re: Rendering Software

TomWaltz — Tue, 21 Mar 2006 19:01:52 GMT

I've been a pretty long proponent of Cinema 4D.

It's stunning in breadth and depth, has tons of user support, and is relatively inexpensive for the full suite of add-ons.

Re: Rendering Software

Red — Tue, 21 Mar 2006 19:20:44 GMT

TomWaltz wrote:
I've been a pretty long proponent of Cinema 4D.

It's stunning in breadth and depth, has tons of user support, and is relatively inexpensive for the full suite of add-ons.

What format do you export out of AC to bring into 4D?

Re: Rendering Software

TomWaltz — Tue, 21 Mar 2006 19:43:51 GMT

C4D has an add-on called Exchange that you can buy so Archicad can save directly to C4D format.

This creates a giant grouped object of your Archicad model in C4D that you can update, but still keep material changes and any additions you made in C4D.

In other words, you can make changes to your Archicad model and have C4D pick up the changes.... kind of like a Module in a way.

It's $100 for the add-on, and worth every dime.

Re: Rendering Software

Red — Tue, 21 Mar 2006 20:16:34 GMT

TomWaltz wrote:
C4D has an add-on called Exchange that you can buy so Archicad can save directly to C4D format.

This creates a giant grouped object of your Archicad model in C4D that you can update, but still keep material changes and any additions you made in C4D.

In other words, you can make changes to your Archicad model and have C4D pick up the changes.... kind of like a Module in a way.

It's $100 for the add-on, and worth every dime.

That sounds like a real time saver if you forget to add something!!!! I will look into C4D.

Re: Rendering Software

TomWaltz — Tue, 21 Mar 2006 20:27:43 GMT

Red wrote:
TomWaltz wrote:
C4D has an add-on called Exchange that you can buy so Archicad can save directly to C4D format.

This creates a giant grouped object of your Archicad model in C4D that you can update, but still keep material changes and any additions you made in C4D.

In other words, you can make changes to your Archicad model and have C4D pick up the changes.... kind of like a Module in a way.

It's $100 for the add-on, and worth every dime.

That sounds like a real time saver if you forget to add something!!!! I will look into C4D.

I'll warn you now, it's not that easy to learn, but does have tons of support out there. (I like C4DCafe.com)

Their sales Rep Rafi is really nice and is almost anxious to help when she can.

Re: Rendering Software

Djordje — Wed, 22 Mar 2006 03:16:22 GMT

Red wrote:
Which software is the best for life like renderings? There are some many out there to choose from. Please don't mention Art-Lantis.

The one that you know how to make life like renderings with.

Re: Rendering Software

Red — Wed, 22 Mar 2006 04:01:09 GMT

Djordje wrote:
Red wrote:
Which software is the best for life like renderings? There are some many out there to choose from. Please don't mention Art-Lantis.
The one that you know how to make life like renderings with.

Re: Rendering Software

Dwight — Wed, 22 Mar 2006 05:53:06 GMT

You have asked a loaded question.

The REAL question you are asking is "Which software is best for lifelike renderings that is AUTOMATIC?"

The answer is: none.

Abvent try hard to make as simple an interface as possible, and high quality renderings from that application can be made. Attached is my first rendering in Artlantis. So if you have trouble with Artlantis, you will certainly be challenged by harder, more complicated software - that all of the best rendering packages are: more difficult than Artlantis. It is a good way to learn the principles of surfaces and lighting because of its previewing speed.

But I don't recommend it as the best, merely as an expedient way to make prettier images if you have the time.

If you want lifelike renderings, it represents a life changing investment of time, effort and money. It is not automatic, no matter what you purchase.

NOT AUTOMATIC.

Immediately, you want to consider:

VIZ
Cinema 4D
LightWave
Electric Image

Check out their on-line communities and see if you like the personalities there.
Check out their extensions and Add-Ons. You don't get lifelike without textures and libraries of special entourage. For example, you'll want to invest in a tree generating program like Xfrog or Onyx Tree Pro.

I personally prefer Cinema 4D because the rendering module is integrated into the modeling scheme.Some other applications make clear separation between model and render functions.

It has many add-ons and a vibrant community.

RPC function is a necessity - RPC make photo figures and entourage... Amazingly real.

You never get to be a good illustrator if you don't like to spend hours experimenting and tweaking. To this end, be sure that the application you choose can access a remote RENDER FARM - there are several [Render King, to name one] for hire. You buy time so that you can test changes faster.

Good luck, but remember the next time you see a fantastic rendering that it just didn't pop out of the box.

Re: Rendering Software

Red — Wed, 22 Mar 2006 13:30:58 GMT

Dwight wrote:
You have asked a loaded question.

The REAL question you are asking is "Which software is best for lifelike renderings that is AUTOMATIC?"

The answer is: none.

Abvent try hard to make as simple an interface as possible, and high quality renderings from that application can be made. Attached is my first rendering in Artlantis. So if you have trouble with Artlantis, you will certainly be challenged by harder, more complicated software - that all of the best rendering packages are: more difficult than Artlantis. It is a good way to learn the principles of surfaces and lighting because of its previewing speed.

But I don't recommend it as the best, merely as an expedient way to make prettier images if you have the time.

If you want lifelike renderings, it represents a life changing investment of time, effort and money. It is not automatic, no matter what you purchase.

NOT AUTOMATIC.

Immediately, you want to consider:

VIZ
Cinema 4D
LightWave
Electric Image

Check out their on-line communities and see if you like the personalities there.
Check out their extensions and Add-Ons. You don't get lifelike without textures and libraries of special entourage. For example, you'll want to invest in a tree generating program like Xfrog or Onyx Tree Pro.

I personally prefer Cinema 4D because the rendering module is integrated into the modeling scheme.Some other applications make clear separation between model and render functions.

It has many add-ons and a vibrant community.

RPC function is a necessity - RPC make photo figures and entourage... Amazingly real.

You never get to be a good illustrator if you don't like to spend hours experimenting and tweaking. To this end, be sure that the application you choose can access a remote RENDER FARM - there are several [Render King, to name one] for hire. You buy time so that you can test changes faster.

Good luck, but remember the next time you see a fantastic rendering that it just didn't pop out of the box.

First off I didn't ask for an AUTOMATIC rendering. (Which software is the best for life like renderings?) Second Artlantis is far from challenging. I'm sure that Artlantis can produce lifelike rendering, but I just don't like the software ------- the same way I dislike AutoCAD.

Amazingly I'm capable of buying, learning, and spending money to get software like C4D etc...........

With that aside C4D does seem like a nice piece of software with the add-on Archicad Exchange, tutorials, and online forums/communities.

Re: Rendering Software

Rakela Raul — Wed, 22 Mar 2006 19:22:32 GMT

maaaan, i loved those palm trees

Re: Rendering Software

stefan — Thu, 23 Mar 2006 11:02:20 GMT

There are many possible solutions.

And most of them will be able to render ArchiCAD models.
I tried many of them:
http://www2.asro.kuleuven.ac.be/asro/English/HOME/SBs/render/render.htm

Artlantis R is hugely improved over the old Artlantis. I hated the older generation, but I like the new one. Very usable results for the effort it takes.

VIZ/3ds max are very good solutions, if you work in Windows.

Maya, Cinema4D and Lightwave are of equal quality, but also on a Mac.

No experience with Electric Image, so follow the advice of Dwight.

The combination of ArchiCAD with Cinema4D and the dedicated plugins is a good solution.

RPC is nice, but the content is not free (unless you use it for education as we do).

Re: Rendering Software

Anonymous — Fri, 24 Mar 2006 09:15:10 GMT

Red wrote:
Which software is the best for life like renderings?

Well now, this is a loaded question

Without trying to sound to much Zen like, I would like to go into that life like rendering concept.

If you think of rendering as an art (and I most certainly do), you could draw some similitudes from other art's, and I suggest photography, for obvious reasons:

It deals with the visual world, in 2D, light, textures, camera and stuff, it is technological by nature and it is recent (relatively).
If you look at what happened to photography since it's beginnings, you realize it started by trying to be just a reproduction of the real world (like painting at some point), and after an initial period, it evolved into a true art, by tryin to express and provide emotions.

Now rendering, imho, is walking the same path. After an initial period of trying to be more and more lifelike, you are now getting, in games and movies, an impressionist approach. Hiper reality is out, ambience is in.

Some people in the architectural business are starting to "get it" - not many - and are trying to give a distinct personal artistical feeling to their work.

Unfortunately (again imho) they are doing this exclusively with filters and stuff, and not with the real macoy: the rendering itself.

This could be one way, but not the only.

Rendering software should allow you to do whatever you want to do, not just "be the most real". I think we will get there pretty soon, mainly because you see the reality WOW factor is now wearing out.

I have a bunch of other theories on this subject, which I won't bother you with unless asked for, not wanting to risk (again) the accusation of taking someone's subject over.

Nevertheless, I would like to present an example (put the money where the mouth is, I think it is called).

In this one, produced with THE UNMENTHIONABLE ONE, my aim was to maintain a high degree of realism (no Mademoiselles de Avignon from me...) but at the same time transmit a mood, tell a story, provoke some feelings. If I failed or succeed, that is up to you. No filter/piranesi/color correction tricks here, just out of the machine.

Have fun and feel free to bash away

Re: Rendering Software

stefan — Fri, 24 Mar 2006 09:57:12 GMT

Krippahl,

Your signature might be a clue 😉

I agree with your observation: think as a photographer and display a mood, an atmopshere. Who cares if there are some jaggies or if the radiosity or raytracing misses a few pixels? You can paint them away or you can leave them in if you want.

E.g. I kinda like the noisy undersampled GI renderings, since they provide a feel for lighting, yet don't take forever to calculate.

Blurred and glooming post-processed renderings are used too much lately, so that is something I would try to avoid (or at least be subtle with...).

Re: Rendering Software

Anonymous — Fri, 24 Mar 2006 10:13:59 GMT

stefan wrote:
Krippahl,

Your signature might be a clue 😉

If it is the signature that gives me away, and not the image itself, then I am happy

Re: Rendering Software

stefan — Fri, 24 Mar 2006 10:53:06 GMT

Krippahl wrote:
stefan wrote:
Krippahl,

Your signature might be a clue 😉

If it is the signature that gives me away, and not the image itself, then I am happy

The image is fine, really! And Artlantis R is really much improved over the Classic generation. So it's worthwile to consider.

But... at a price of about $500, you come in region where you are able to buy a full seat of Carrar3D, Strata3D, Cinema4D and even the cheapest version of animation powerprogram Softimage!

And then you get full modeling, animation AND rendering. Sure, these are more complex then Artlantis, but at that price level, you have so much more to add: you can create geometry to import in ArchiCAD, you can model and add freeform design, which is not possible directly inside ArchiCAD etc...

So consider your options wisely.

Re: Rendering Software

Anonymous — Fri, 24 Mar 2006 11:02:25 GMT

stefan wrote:

But... at a price of about $500, you come in region where you are able to buy a full seat of Carrar3D, Strata3D, Cinema4D and even the cheapest version of animation powerprogram Softimage!

I am very much aware that having a fancy for one software makes you biased against others. This happens to FlacCadders, and it also happens to everyone of us.

You have to be very conscientious about this, otherwise it becomes a matter of faith, and after that fundamentalism, and I most certainly would not like to be one of those.

Having said that, I would like to point out:

A Mercedes with automatic gears (at least here in Portugal) is much more expensive than the same Mercedes with manual gears.

Automathion costs.
I, for one, think that ArtLantis (hope they don´t hear this), should be MORE expensive than those other softwares, exactly because it is more automatic.
If it makes my life (as an architect) easier, if it shift's gears automatically, then it is a higher end product.

Look at ArchiCAD/AutoCAD. You love the first not because it has more settings and commands, but because it does things automatically for you!

Re: Rendering Software

Red — Fri, 24 Mar 2006 18:21:16 GMT

stefan wrote:
I hated the older generation

Thats my problem.....but it run out of chances

Also we have the need for modeling not just rendering.

Re: Rendering Software

Anonymous — Fri, 24 Mar 2006 18:34:50 GMT

Red wrote:
Which software is the best for life like renderings? There are some many out there to choose from. Please don't mention Art-Lantis.

Is their a list out there comparing software? Pros and Cons?

Sorry, i have miss something, but why are you not mentioning Artlantis?

Re: Rendering Software

Red — Fri, 24 Mar 2006 18:42:31 GMT

nicolasrivera wrote:
Red wrote:
Which software is the best for life like renderings? There are some many out there to choose from. Please don't mention Art-Lantis.

Is their a list out there comparing software? Pros and Cons?
Sorry, i have miss something, but why are you not mentioning Artlantis?

I dislike it