Rendering complex models in AutoCAD 2009

I see from images of the week 3 weeks ago the user "red333" was able to produce a quite spectacular interior rendered image and the only software he specified was autocad 2009.

Could he or perhaps anyone else who is around please confirm if it is actually possible to produce images like this from autocad 2009?

I've been trying like mad to render a less complex exterior image and from my (limited) understanding autocad 2009 is not capable of this level of complex rendering. My machine keeps crashing and tripping up as I try to render a model less than half as complicated as this.

I've followed all the autodesk tutorials and most of the ones from the site on applying materials, lighting, rpref settings etc. When I go to render in presentation mode with final gather on it kills the CPU on the machine and this is on a 2.4gig dual core processor which is i believe higher than the minimum specified for 3d modelling/rendering.

If anyone could give any help at this stage I'd be very grateful.

Yes, Autocad is perfectly capable of rendering complex scenes.

Can you give us a rundown of your computer specs?

Yes, Autocad is perfectly capable of rendering complex scenes.

Can you give us a rundown of your computer specs?

Thanks CAD64.

Yeah here's the spec:

OS Name: Microsoft Windows XP Professional

OS Version: 5.1.2600 Service Pack 2 Build 2600

OS Manufacturer: Microsoft Corporation

OS Configuration: Member Workstation

OS Build Type: Multiprocessor Free

System Manufacturer: Hewlett-Packard

System Model: HP Compaq dc5800 Small Form Factor

System type: X86-based PC

Processor(s): 2 Processor(s) Installed.

[01]: x86 Family 6 Model 15 Stepping 13 GenuineIntel ~1197 Mhz

[02]: x86 Family 6 Model 15 Stepping 13 GenuineIntel ~1197 Mhz

Time Zone: (GMT) Greenwich Mean Time : Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London

Total Physical Memory: 2,029 MB

Available Physical Memory: 1,302 MB

Virtual Memory: Max Size: 2,048 MB

Virtual Memory: Available: 2,001 MB

Virtual Memory: In Use: 47 MB

Network Card(s): 1 NIC(s) Installed.

[01]: Intel® 82566DM Gigabit Network Connection

Running autocad 2009 and trying to render a fairly complex exterior model with sky and sea background in presentation mode with final gather and global illumination on.

It looks like you have the bare minimum for doing 3D work. If you want to do more complex scenes and render in high quality I would suggest upgrading your computer.

I have been through the ringer on this subject too. It takes quite a bit of horsepower to render with any software.

When CAD64 says you need to upgrade your computer you should take this to the nth degree. My system is only slightly higher than yours and I have 3GB of RAM and while it will get through most of the renderings I ask of it, I notice my computer often shows AutoCAD is (Not Responding) many times during a render and the Presentation mode renderings I do sometimes take up to 2 hours to complete.

Yesterday I upgraded my OS to x64 and AutoCAD to x64 version as well. The same rendering that took 1 hr 45 min on my older setup still took 1 hr 25 min with the x64 version setup. So go for quad core and at least 8 GB of RAM if you can. Tiger Direct has systems starting around $650 that meet this spec. You may do better on ebay.

It's true! It can all be done within AutoCad. I had a similar problem when I first started rendering. I had to download a render hotfix file. Here's the link: http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/ps/dl/item?siteID=123112&id=11294295&linkID=9240618. Try it out and see if it helps.

It's true! It can all be done within AutoCad. I had a similar problem when I first started rendering. I had to download a render hotfix file. Here's the link: http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/ps/dl/item?siteID=123112&id=11294295&linkID=9240618. Try it out and see if it helps.

wow!!! why the heck did I not find this patch when I was having the problems it resolves lol!!