Elevation rendering

[shellb]

I am still a CAD student. I am using version 2008. I am currently working on a basic house elevation. When I look up examples of elevations on the internet, they are all very detailed. I am having problems accomplishing such detail on my rendering. For example I am working on some shutters which are looking pretty pathetic. I thought I would add a gradient “shadow” in between the slots on the shutters to make them look realistic. It didn’t work. So then I saved it to a jpeg and thought I could add some detail in Photoshop but that feels too complicated. It feels like it should be easier than that. I haven’t taken any 3-D classes yet. I’m wondering if that might be part of my problem. Also when I print my drawings they are always black and white. I’ve never had a class where we produce color drawings. Are the renderings I’m seeing on the internet much more advance AND are they done with other software besides AutoCAD? Basically how are these other renderings (which basically look like photographs) done?

[akansha]

Regarding black n white colour prints, are You selecting monochrome or black and white print when you are plotting? or may be your plotter can only plot black and white prints.
Regarding rendering - well ppl do use photoshop to render acad drawings to give it realistic effects. It is a little difficult (atleast for me) and you need to learn photoshop atleast little more than basics to do so. Try autocad impressions, personally I have not used it (it is available in limited countries), but I have heard that it gives more realistic affects than acad.

[Cad64]

I do all of my color rendering of 2D Autocad drawings in Photoshop. It takes a bit of practice to learn how to use the various filters and layer effects to achieve the results you are looking for. I would suggest taking a class to at least learn the basics of Photoshop. It can be pretty difficult and frustrating at first.

Also, the images you are seeing online could be 3D renderings done from Autocad, and not 2D colored images from Photoshop. Either way, these are just skills you will need to learn, so don't expect miracles overnight. These skills are learned over time and you will get better as you gain experience. Read books, take classes, download video tutorials online and practice, practice, practice.

[CADken]

I do all of my color rendering of 2D Autocad drawings in Photoshop. It takes a bit of practice to learn how to use the various filters and layer effects to achieve the results you are looking for. I would suggest taking a class to at least learn the basics of Photoshop. It can be pretty difficult and frustrating at first.

Also, the images you are seeing online could be 3D renderings done from Autocad, and not 2D colored images from Photoshop. Either way, these are just skills you will need to learn, so don't expect miracles overnight. These skills are learned over time and you will get better as you gain experience. Read books, take classes, download video tutorials online and practice, practice, practice.

a lot of the renderings you see aren't created by autoCAD, yeah the drawings and line work is created in CAD, but the majority of folks out there use other programs to color and make their plans look color...

try AutoDesk Impressions very cool program that lets you color in your CAD drawings with all kinds of different and neat brushes and effects.

[shellb]

Thanks for the advice. I do have photoshop and autodesk impressions so I will give both those a try. Thanks for leading me in the right direction.

Many thanks!

[f700es]

If it is a 2D elevation and you have Impression then yes, use it. Now for a 3D view it's hard to beat SketchUp. I have also played with the notion of using AutoCAD's SuperHatch command and gradient hatches as a way to dress up 2D elevations.

Here is an oldie but a goodie...brick and block textures used as hatch patterens as well as gradient fills.




and a tree image from CADTutor
All done in AutoCAD 2004.

[f700es]

Here is another example....

the tile off the floor is a texture while the bars were done with gradient fills to simulate stainless steel fixtures

[f700es]

AutoCAD elevations, modeled in SU and then exported to PhotoShop..

[Mr T]

The above style is possible in Autodesk Impression, without any Photoshop renders. Nice work though.

Nick