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[Jack Zimmer]

I sure do like how Envisioneer models import to Realtime Landscape Architect. I believe windows are better in the latest version.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4vk3BE_QMg&feature=youtu.be

Jack

[stephan]

Morning Jack,
Looks very cool. I'm curious to know how long the rendered animation took to create. If I would have to do that with my PC, it would take app 2 days.

Stephan

[Jack Zimmer]

Hi Stephan,

My version is one year old. The newer versions have some great improvements related to doing the Envisioneer import that I did here. One thing is that the model now 'accepts' shadows. So if you look, the car from Realtime isn't casting a shadow on the driveway from Envisioneer. So that has improved. I think in the full new version I can get windows looking better but if you 'reverse' an Envisioneer window (push it to the inside) the window is transparent from the outside.

So, some great improvements in the new version.

But as to rendering time.

You better be sitting down for this..!!  This is NOT a typo.

Rendering for the 2100 frames set to average of 10 fps (you can adjust the frame rate for each camera node location).

Total time = < 4 minutes ..... (< four minutes :-) )

This is the main reason I use the program, a 3D walk around really shows a customer the design. I don't know how interiors in the new version work but old version would not accept lights, so interiors were 'dull' and without shine or shadow...

But for the price, result and speed , you can't beat it. Also it has a built in Photo Editor so I can take any of the thousands of quality plants, and adjust them, save them and import to Envisioneer as photo boards with transparent background.

It was nice of you to comment Stephan, sometimes I feel like i'm talking to the walls.

thanks,

Jack

[FynrDzynr]

sometimes I feel like I'm talking to the walls.

But these walls have eyes & ears . . . always learning something new
again, thanks Jack!
Merv

[caullystone]

Thanks - I took a look at the site and I might invest in it for Landscape work.

[Jack Zimmer]

So that's why I'm always looking over my shoulder Merv     It makes my day when someone with your experience finds a posting helpful. Thanks!

The program is a basic landscaping tool and the quality of the plants are excellent. They do have 3D plants which of course are less realitic but not bad at all. They sway in the wind when a video is made.

I added a high rise in the new version and while in Real Time walkthough, you can press F5 which takes a screen shot and renders it (in 1/2 second). They have some options , like Normal, Contrast, High Contrast, Soften, Pencil ,,, no real control of what is shown.

Attached is a 1024 x with High Contrast and Softened (#2), The soft version takes the some of the segments out of the curved walls. Not as good as in Photo Shop, but it sure is fast and gets the point across.

Jack

[caullystone]

Just downloaded Realtime Landscape Architect 2012 but cant see how to import Envisioneer files?

[Jack Zimmer]

Here is link to some tutorials.

http://www.ideaspectrum.com/arch2012_tutorials.php  

Scroll down to 'Customization'> Import SketchUp / 3DS

or from the program (up top tool bar)

Tools > Model Import Wizard

also under 'Help' > Model Import Wizard

Make sure your model has been exported to a folder as a 3DS file and all textures will be in the folder. One thing I do before exporting is to set the underside of the roof to the same 'shingle' texture as the top of the roof, otherwise the underside will bleed through the upper.

I don't know about transparent windows in the new version of Realtime, but I believe if you set your windows to the 'inside' they are transparent from the outside but solid color from inside view. Reversed if set to outside.

You may also want to turn off the terrain. Any trees / plants should also be off when exporting to 3DS.

I resize after importing.

Play around and you'll get the hang of it. You will love the camera tool and how you can set views for each 'node' when laying out the camera path for 'movies or walkthrough). You can also do walkthroughs with keyboard arrows. Only the 3D trees will 'move' in the wind, not plant 'images'.

Good Luck !!

Jack

[caullystone]

Thanks Jack

Are the terrane tools much better then Env 7.

They seem to allow real contour traces?

[Jack Zimmer]

My version is 2yrs old and doesn't do contours. In general, Envisioneer and Realtime are similar in results but adjusting the terrrain to the imported 3DS model from Envisioneer is easier to do with Realtimes tools for me.

The only program I've seen that has a good terrain tool is Vector Works which allows contour lines to be a single line with a single height and then adjusts the terrian based on each lines height, the way contour lines actually work. It also creates a 'solid' terrain allowing for cuts that can calculate both yds of excavation and fill.

Jack

[caullystone]

Thanks Jack

Maybe I will check out vector works if contours are not available in V8

[Jack Zimmer]

Maybe I will check out vector works if contours are not available in V8

Good Luck  

There were 3 of us testing out Vector Works before deciding on Envisionner. It can do a lot, but even with our combined years of 3D modeling experience, we had an extremely hard time putting it's features to use. Extremely hard to learn even the basics.

It's rendering engine is similar to one used in TurboCAD (Lightworks)... but without a strong background in the variety of light / material settings , expect at minimum 6 months before you are consistant just on lighting.

But it did have a terrian tool that was the simplest that I've seen.

I needed something that could produce, could adapt and give good  representations to the customer.  That is why I went with Envisioneer.

If I do get a job that requires extremely accurate model of the terrian I would use Surface Modeler with TurboCAD.

http://www.turbocad.com/TurboCAD/Plugins/TurboCADSurfaceModelingPlugIn/tabid/1027/Default.aspx  


I can also import a 3D Spline loft of contour lines from TCAD and or Import my model into the TCAD terrain loft. I've had only one job in the last 13 yrs that required that degree of terrain accuracy.

Jack