Render basics, need help!

I am working through the Cad to Photoshop tutorial. I want to Render to File my 2D Cad design. In the tutorial it says 'view > render > render'. Is this in 2d or 3d cad? My 'view' tab has no 'render' options. There is a render tab/option in 3d basics but I cant find any 'section called destination' which the tutorial goes on to say.

My design is in 2d but contains various transparent hatch layers and it would be good to know how to save a file that will open in photoshop with transparencies.

Any help much appreciated

This is what AutoCAD Help has to say about the RENDER command.

Creates a photorealistic or realistically shaded image of a 3D solid or surface model.

You mention 2D objects but you don't mention any 3D objects.

Helen:

Why don't you take a look at these tutorials about 3D, Materials, Lighting, etc. at the website I've provided a link to below. I think you'll find it very helpful.

http://www.we-r-here.com/cad/tutorials/level_3/3-17.htm

There are some tutorials at the AutoDesk website you should probably view as well. I'll be back with a link in a moment.

Here you go...

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/item?siteID=123112&id=14934353

My drawing is totally 2d, with transparent hatching, I want to make a good saved copy that I can open in photoshop. I have done exporting to EPS but it doesnt pick up my transparencies. I was trying to render to file, but I realise now that is only for 3d right? So how do I get the tranparencies to work in photoshop? Impressive number of posts by the way, this is my 4th!

Ah they look good for when Im at the 3d stage...

I'm not qualified to answer your question about getting transparencies to work in Photoshop. That's for someone way smarter than me to answer. But don't worry, CADTutor has a number of knowledgeable people who can help but you'll have to be patient.

It doesn't matter what your post count is. What matters is that you have joined our community. Welcome to CADTutor.

I went back and took a look at the tutorial re; AutoCAD to Photoshop and I think you used the correct technique (Export to EPS). However since it doesn't specifically mention what to do about hatching you're left somewhat in the dark. Could this hatching be left out in AutoCAD and added in Photoshop instead? I don't use Photoshop so I am unfamiliar with how it works.

It is a nice community

I think youve helped me figure what my actual problem was, thanx

I happen to think so too.

And what might that problem be?

You're entirely welcomed Helen.

The problem is that my hatch transparencies dont come out in photoshop, having saved them from autocad in an eps file...

from what i know eps files do not support transparency - but i'm no PS expert either!

Helen, you might have to add a step in your process. Maybe Acad - Illustrator - PS might work. Export to WMF (or leave as DWG and see if Ill can open it) and then apply new fills in Ill and then open in PS?

I dont have illustrator...Can you download it? Im thinking to do the transparencies in photoshop after all. Im on a cad learning curve.

You can download the 30 day demo of Illustrator to see if it helps. I don't have my Acad 2011 pc at the moment so I cannot test it.

ok thanx for tips