Viz2008 Tutorial Introduction

Autodesk VIZ 2008

®

Tutorial: Introduction

Cover image: Preliminary Tower Study, courtesy of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP with studioamd.

© 2007 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved. This publication, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form, by any method, for any purpose. AUTODESK, INC., MAKES NO WARRANTY, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE REGARDING THESE MATERIALS, AND MAKES SUCH MATERIALS AVAILABLE SOLELY ON AN "AS-IS" BASIS. IN NO EVENT SHALL AUTODESK, INC., BE LIABLE TO ANYONE FOR SPECIAL, COLLATERAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES IN CONNECTION WITH OR ARISING OUT OF PURCHASE OR USE OF THESE MATERIALS. THE SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE LIABILITY TO AUTODESK, INC., REGARDLESS OF THE FORM OF ACTION, SHALL NOT EXCEED THE PURCHASE PRICE OF THE MATERIALS DESCRIBED HEREIN. Autodesk, Inc., reserves the right to revise and improve its products as it sees fit. This publication describes the state of this product at the time of its publication, and may not reflect the product at all times in the future. The following are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., in the USA and other countries: 3DEC (design/logo), 3December, 3December.com, 3ds Max, ActiveShapes, Actrix, ADI, Alias, Alias (swirl design/logo), AliasStudio, Alias|Wavefront (design/logo), ATC, AUGI, AutoCAD, AutoCAD Learning Assistance, AutoCAD LT, AutoCAD Simulator, AutoCAD SQL Extension, AutoCAD SQL Interface, Autodesk, Autodesk Envision, Autodesk Insight, Autodesk Intent, Autodesk Inventor, Autodesk Map, Autodesk MapGuide, Autodesk Streamline, AutoLISP, AutoSnap, AutoSketch, AutoTrack, Backdraft, Built with ObjectARX (logo), Burn, Buzzsaw, CAiCE, Can You Imagine, Character Studio, Cinestream, Civil 3D, Cleaner, Cleaner Central, ClearScale, Colour Warper, Combustion, Communication Specification, Constructware, Content Explorer, Create>what’s>Next> (design/logo), Dancing Baby (image), DesignCenter, Design Doctor, Designer’s Toolkit, DesignKids, DesignProf, DesignServer, DesignStudio, Design|Studio (design/logo), Design Your World, Design Your World (design/logo), DWF, DWG, DWG (logo), DWG TrueConvert, DWG TrueView, DXF, EditDV, Education by Design, Extending the Design Team, FBX, Filmbox, FMDesktop, GDX Driver, Gmax, Heads-up Design, Heidi, HOOPS, HumanIK, i-drop, iMOUT, Incinerator, IntroDV, Kaydara, Kaydara (design/logo), LocationLogic, Lustre, Maya, Mechanical Desktop, MotionBuilder, ObjectARX, ObjectDBX, Open Reality, PolarSnap, PortfolioWall, Powered with Autodesk Technology, Productstream, ProjectPoint, Reactor, RealDWG, Real-time Roto, Render Queue, Revit, Showcase, SketchBook, StudioTools, Topobase, Toxik, Visual, Visual Bridge, Visual Construction, Visual Drainage, Visual Hydro, Visual Landscape, Visual Roads, Visual Survey, Visual Syllabus, Visual Toolbox, Visual Tugboat, Visual LISP, Voice Reality, Volo, and Wiretap. The following are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk Canada Co. in the USA and/or Canada and other countries: Backburner, Discreet, Fire, Flame, Flint, Frost, Inferno, Multi-Master Editing, River, Smoke, Sparks, Stone, Wire. clothfx is a trademark of Size8 Software, Inc. mental ray is a registered trademark of mental images GmbH licensed for use by Autodesk, Inc. RE:Flex is a trademark of RE:Vision Effects, Inc. Intel is a registered trademark and the Intel Optimizer Logo is a trademark of Intel Corporation, used under license. Havok is a trademark or registered trademark of Havok.com, Inc. or its affiliates in the United States and/or in other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders.

Third-Party Software Credits and Attributions OpenEXR Bitmap I/O Plugin © 2003-2005 SplutterFish, LLC. OpenEXR © 2003 Industrial Light and Magic a division of Lucas Digital Ltd. LLC. Zlib © 1995-2003 Jean-loup Gaily and Mark Adler. HDRI Import created 2002 by SplutterFish and Cuncyt Ozdas. Portions Copyrighted © 2000-2005 Size8 Software, Inc. Portions of this software are Copyright 1998-2004 Hybrid Graphics Limited. This product includes Radiance software (http://radsite.lbl.gov/) developed by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (http://www.lbl.gov/). The JPEG software is copyright © 1991-1998, Thomas G. Lane. All Rights Reserved. Portions Copyrighted mental images GmbH 1989-2002. Portions Copyright © IntegrityWare, Inc.; Npower Software LLC. All rights reserved. Portions Copyright © 1991-1996 Arthur D. Applegate. All rights reserved. Lenzfx and Max R2 Copyright © Digimation, Inc. All rights reserved.

GOVERNMENT USE Use, duplication, or disclosure by the U.S. Government is subject to restrictions as set forth in FAR 12.212 (Commercial Computer Software-Restricted Rights) and DFAR 227.7202 (Rights in Technical Data and Computer Software), as applicable. Published By: Autodesk, Inc. 111 McInnis Parkway San Rafael, CA 94903, USA

For this web tutorial please find the Scene Files in \VIZ2008_Introduction instead of \tutorials. Download this folder using the following procedure: 1. At www.autodesk.com/viz-tutorials click Scene Files under Introduction to Autodesk VIZ 2008. 2. Unzip the EXE file to your computer. By default the \VIZ2008_Introduction folder is unzipped into C:\VIZ2008_Scene_Files.

intro

Introduction to Autodesk VIZ 2008

Welcome to Autodesk VIZ 2008 Welcome to the next generation of advanced visualization software, Autodesk® VIZ 2008. Autodesk VIZ is the leading 3D-visualization software available today. With it, you can create stunningly realistic images and animations to suit your specific visualization needs.

The principles of good design and artful presentation span a wide variety of design disciplines, and Autodesk VIZ has been designed

to be a flexible partner wherever your imagination leads you. This collection of tutorials takes you through a few of the industries and applications that use Autodesk VIZ for advanced visualization. These industries include architectural design, interior design, land planning, and product/mechanical design.

With a direct link to AutoCAD® and AutoCAD-based design solutions, Autodesk VIZ offers architects a unique tool for creating 3D renderings of projects under development. 2D

viii


files are still a "must" for building plans, and the improved File Linking system allows architects to link to their 2D files and build 3D models from them. Architects also benefit from the flexibility of the Autodesk VIZ Material Editor, advanced lighting, and animation tools. This provides not only a powerful visualization tool, but a high-impact marketing tool as well. Autodesk VIZ easily fits into the interior design industry, giving interior designers the ability to create accurate textures and lighting schemes with flexibility. Now interior designers have the freedom to experiment with things like color schemes, lighting styles, and scene arrangement. This software program allows interior designers to work closely with clients to refine the look and feel of a design, without making sacrifices.

A highly refined and flexible modeler, Autodesk VIZ lets product/mechanical designers create images and animations of everything from concepts to the finished product. Advanced modeling tools like NURBS offer designers the ability to build and animate complex models for conceptual visualization and marketing. With the power and flexibility of Autodesk VIZ, anyone can create stunning visualizations of their project or product. Note: In this print version of the Autodesk VIZ 2008

Land planning also benefits from Autodesk VIZ. With the ability to import survey or other elevation data from AutoCAD, land planners can previsualize land formations. Whether it’s for environmental use, land development, or large-scale construction, Autodesk VIZ has the power to move mountains.

Tutorials, you’ll notice a number of instances of underlined text. These are links to topics in the Autodesk VIZ 2008 Help. Of course, these are not available from this printed book, but they do work properly from the CHM version of the tutorials, available from the Help menu.

Where to Find Tutorial Files Most of the tutorials in this volume require you to load sample files to start and complete the lessons. These files do not install automatically on your local drive when you install Autodesk VIZ. All the files for these exercises can be found on the product disc. In order to do the tutorials, you must manually copy the sample files from that disk

Fundamentals Tutorials

to your local hard drive using My Computer or Windows Explorer. To install the tutorial files: 1. Locate your product disc: the disc from which

you installed Autodesk VIZ. Place in your computer’s drive. 2. Open My Computer or Windows Explorer, and

navigate to the disc. 3. Copy the \tutorials folder. 4. Navigate to your installation of Autodesk VIZ

and paste the folder. Now you have a program files\autodesk\ viz2008\tutorials folder on your local drive. Tip: If you have limited hard drive space, you can copy individual directories from the disk.

Getting to Know the User Interface If you’re brand new to 3D and Autodesk VIZ, follow this quick and easy introduction to the program user interface: Getting to Know the Autodesk VIZ Interface (page 1)

Getting Started Tutorial The first tutorial provides some easy lessons to let you get a quick experience in viewport navigation, object creation and animation. Modeling a Revolving Door (page 11) In this tutorial you will learn to model and animate in Autodesk VIZ. You will create a revolving door for a hotel entrance.

Fundamentals Tutorials Here are tutorials to teach you the basics of using Autodesk VIZ. You will find tutorials here that introduce you to the interface and get you started working with the program. There are tutorials here for the experienced user to show you what is new in the latest release. And there are tutorials to teach you the fundamentals of modeling, materials, lighting, rendering and animation. Tip: Due to the technical nature of the subject

matter, some of the language used in this document might seem a bit obscure, but stick with it and you’ll soon be spouting off about splines and meshes with the best of them. If you do encounter an unfamiliar term, try looking it up in the Glossary section of the program User Reference. And if you still can’t find it, please send us a note via the Comments link at the bottom of every topic in this document and in the User Reference.

New Tutorials Following is a list of new tutorials for Autodesk VIZ 2008: • Interior Architecture Rendering Tutorial (page 253) • Creating a Photorealistic Walkthrough Using AutoCAD and Autodesk VIZ (page 473)

Modeling Tutorials These tutorials teach many modeling techniques in Autodesk VIZ. • Building an Architectural Model from a Concept Sketch (page 35)

ix

x


In this tutorial, you will use an architectural plan as the basis for a 3D model. You will add buildings, columns, and other elements to the model, then perform a shadow study with the scene.

Model a chess set.

• Lofting a Telephone (page 81) 2D plan for architectural model

In this tutorial you will create a retro-style telephone while learning to use Loft compound objects.

• Modeling a Chess Set (page 54) In this series of lessons, you will learn to create objects using a variety of techniques. You’ll model the pawn by creating a 2D spline and applying a Lathe modifier. The bishop and rook are created with soft selection and Booleans. Modeling the knight will teach you to model using splines and surface modifiers.

Materials and Mapping Tutorials In these tutorials you will learn the fundamentals of creating and applying materials. You’ll learn about using standard and architectural materials, blend and multi/sub-object materials, as well as the UVW Map Modifier. Tutorials include: • Materials for Interior Scenes (page 179) In these lessons you will learn to design and edit materials using the Material Editor. You

Fundamentals Tutorials

will create standard materials and architectural materials, multi/sub-object and blend materials as well. You will also use the Asset Browser to find textures, and use the UVW Map modifier to adjust tiling.

Rendering Tutorials You’ll learn the fundamentals of rendering in these tutorials. Here you will learn about: • Rendering Still Images (page 313) In this tutorial you will learn some of the different ways you can use Autodesk VIZ to render.

Lighting Tutorials In these tutorials you are introduced to the tools and concepts of using lights in Autodesk VIZ. Tutorials include: • Creating and Importing Lights (page 220) • Rendering for Architecture Using Radiosity (page 235)

• Using Radiosity with Standard Lights (page 251) • Managing Multiple Lights (page 227) • Choosing a Shadow Type (page 230)

• Rendering an Animation (page 391) In this tutorial you will learn to render an animation to a sequence of still images, then assemble them into a movie using the RAM Player.

• Network Rendering (page 323) Here you will learn how to perform network rendering.

xi

xii


• High-Resolution Renderings and Backgrounds (page 325) This tutorial teaches you how to render high-resolution images. You will use a photograph as a background and use the Camera Match Utility to align the camera with the photograph.

• Animating with Auto Key (page 353) Here you will learn to animate using the Auto Key method. • Controlling In-Betweens (page 356) • Rendering a Panorama (page 342) In this tutorial you will render a 3D panorama and view it interactively using the Panorama Exporter Viewer.

In this lesson you will use ghosting and the curve editor with interactive update. • Out of Range Types (page 358)– Here you will learn to loop an animation. • Animating with Dummy Objects (page 359) Here you will learn to create linkage and animate using dummy objects.

Animation Tutorials The tutorials that teach basic animation technique include: • Animating with Set Key (page 347) In this tutorial you will animate a chess game using the Set Key animation method. • Using Dope Sheet Mode (page 365) Here you will learn to use the Dope Sheet Editor to scale animations and reverse time.

Professional Tutorials

• Using Weighted List Controllers (page 366) Using the example of a table tennis game you will learn to use weighted list controllers.

• Creating an Animated Shadow Study (page 388) Here you will create animated shadow study of a cityscape. The tutorials on Animation for Architectural Visualization include: • Animating the Camera (page 374) In this tutorial you will create a camera and animate it to create a looping flyaround.

Professional Tutorials • Creating a Walkthrough (page 380) Here you will learn different techniques to fly a camera through the interior of a house.

Here you will find a set of tutorials aimed specifically at the design visualization professional. In this collection of lessons you will learn the details of using Autodesk VIZ 2008 for architectural , industrial or mechanical design. Much attention is devoted to working with files from CAD programs such as AutoCAD Architecture and AutoCAD.

xiii

xiv


Tutorials for Design Visualization Professionals Tutorials for design professionals include: • Working with AutoCAD Files (page 429) Prepare an AutoCAD drawing for import into Autodesk VIZ.

Create a terrain based on actual site information and then create a conceptual design for the Marin County Civic Center using a variety of modeling techniques. This tutorial is based on Frank Lloyd Wright’s last public building design.

• Working with LandXML Models (page 560) Import two types of LandXML files and add materials and foliage to the model. • Working with the Layer Manager (page 451) Create new layers, change properties, and turn off a group of lights with the Layer Manager. • Using File Link with AutoCAD Drawings (page 453) Save modeling time with File Link Manager. • Fixing Problems in CAD Models (page 460) Tutorials on using AutoCAD Architecture files include: • Managing AutoCAD Architecture Data in Autodesk VIZ (page 499) Use substitution to replace AutoCAD Architecture blocks with geometric objects. • Sharing Materials with AutoCAD Architecture (page 506) Assign materials, edit style definitions, and use File Link Manager to work with materials. Tutorials for Land Planning include: • Site Planning (page 531)

The tutorials on Detailing for Architecture include: • Interior Design and Exterior Presentation (page 565) Use the Asset Browser to add furniture to the interior of a library. You also learn how to add furniture with the Substitute modifier.

How to Learn Autodesk VIZ

• Preparing a Luminaire Assembly (page 600)

• Adding Foliage to an Outdoor Scene (page 571)

Using the example of a light fixture, you set up hierarchies, inverse kinematics, and joint limits. You’ll also learn about sliding joints.

Use built-in Foliage objects to add 3D trees to the exterior of the library.

Tutorials for Mechanical design and animation include:

How to Learn Autodesk VIZ

• Create a presentation of a automotive suspension. The animation depicts the parts assembling over time. You then add narration as a sound track using Track View.

Besides the tutorials found in this collection, a number of other resources are available to help you learn Autodesk VIZ.

xv

xvi


Autodesk VIZ 2008 Documentation Set • Autodesk VIZ 2008 Help: The online reference covers fundamental concepts and strategies for using the product, as well as details about the features of Autodesk VIZ. Also included is the Backburner reference, for network rendering. The Help is available online only. Access the reference online by choosing Help > Autodesk VIZ Help. • MAXScript Reference: Describes the MAXScript scripting language. This reference is available online only. If you’re new to MAXScript, check out the “Learning MAXScript” chapter there. Access the MAXScript Reference by choosing Help > MAXScript Reference. • m ental ray Documentation: The unified mental ray online documentation comprises three reference works: the mental ray Manual, with extensive information on the basic workings of the mental ray rendering system; the mental ray Shader Reference, which describes the collection of base, physics, and contour shaders for mental ray; and the LumeTools Collection, which provides a wide range of tools and realistic natural effects for mental ray. Access the mental ray Documentation from Help > Additional Help.

Autodesk Learning Resources Links to the following Web sites are available from the Help menu within Autodesk VIZ. These pages provide access to a wide range of product information and support resources: searchable Knowledgebase, FAQs, technical bulletins, tested hardware information, and product downloads. • Online Support • Updates • Resources •

Partners

Autodesk Training Information and Resources • Training Resources on the Web: You’ll find training resources for Autodesk VIZ at www.autodesk.com/viz-training. • Autodesk Official Training Courseware: Official training courseware is available for many Autodesk products. To purchase training courseware, contact your local Autodesk Authorized Training Center (ATC®) or reseller. For more information, contact your local Autodesk office or visit www.autodesk.com/aotc. • Autodesk Training Centers: The ATC network, the premier training channel for Autodesk, offers short, industry-focused courses for beginning and advanced users. To find a training center near you, contact your local Autodesk country office or visit www.autodesk.com/atc. Some of the above programs or contact details might not be available or applicable in your country. Please check with your local Autodesk Authorized Reseller or Autodesk office for details.

Working with the Tutorials Online You can run the online tutorials by going to the Help menu on the Autodesk VIZ menu bar and choosing Tutorials. This runs 3dsviz_t.chm, a file found in the program installation directory, within the \help folder. The tutorials appear in a window that floats on top of the Autodesk VIZ user interface. You can position this window like a Track View horizontally across a row of viewports. Or you might prefer to resize the window so it is a column covering two viewports on the left or right. This window always stays on top of the other program windows. If it is blocking your view of the program interface, you can move it all the way

Working with the Tutorials Online

left or right, leaving only a small slice or corner of the window in view.

You now have effectively five windows.

Alternatively, you can open this file directly from the Start menu or Windows Explorer, and then use Alt+Tab to switch between the tutorial and program windows. If you have a dual-monitor system, you can see both the tutorials and the user interface in a large window at the same time by moving the tutorials window to the second display. If you are running on a small monitor, it can be a challenge to find the real estate needed to see the tutorial and the viewports. One trick you can use is to change the viewport configuration to adapt for this.

5. If you prefer, you can also choose a viewport

Suggested Viewport Layouts

Displaying the Tutorials in a Viewport

You can also change your viewport layout to accommodate the online tutorial window. Do the following:

Another alternative is to display the Help directly in a viewport. This is not a regular feature of Autodesk VIZ, but because this is a customizable program, there is a script that can do this.

Configure your viewport layout: 1. Start Autodesk VIZ.

Click the Min/Max toggle button, near the bottom right corner of the program window, if you don’t see four viewports. 2. Right-click a viewport label, such as

Perspective, and choose Configure. The Viewport Configuration dialog appears. Click the Layout tab. 3. Choose the viewport configuration that has

three viewports on the right and one on the left.

configuration with three viewports above and one viewport below.

Note: We provide this script as a convenience; it is not a supported feature. To display the tutorials in a viewport: 1. Using Windows Explorer or My Computer

copy helpinvp.ms from the \tutorials\tutorial scripts\ folder on the program disc to scripts\maxscripttools\ folder in your local program installation. 2. Start Autodesk VIZ. 3. On the menu bar choose MAXScript > Run

Script 4. Navigate to the folder you used in step 1, and,

then click Open to run the script. Running this script adds the Help in a Viewport functionality to the session. 4. Open the Tutorials window and resize it so it

covers half the large viewport.

5. On the menu bar choose Customize>

Customize User Interface.

xvii

xviii


The Customize User Interface dialog appears. 6. On the Keyboard Shortcuts tab click the

drop-down arrow next to Category. Scroll to the bottom and find Web Tools. Click it, and choose Help in Viewport. 7. Click in the Hot Key field then assign a hotkey.

Any keystroke combination you press will appear. We suggest ALT+H.

To print a topic or chapter: 1. Open the online tutorials. 2. To print a topic or chapter, highlight the topic

or chapter title and click the Print button at the top of the Help display. A dialog appears.

8. Once the hotkey has been assigned, close the

dialog using the X button at the upper right corner of the dialog. 9. Activate the left viewport, and press ALT+H.

A Floating tutorial window appears. 10. Right-click the Left viewport label and choose

Views > Extended > Help in Viewport. The Welcome tutorials display in the viewport. Scroll down to the tutorials you wish to see and click the link. That tutorial will display in the viewport.

3. Choose to print only the selected topic, or to

Note: The Navigation pane is not available when you display tutorials in the viewport. Use the Welcome topic links to navigate to the tutorial you wish to do. Right-click and choose Back to return to previous topics.

The tabs available at the top of the dialog depend on the selected printer.

print all topics in that chapter. After you make your selection, another dialog appears where you can choose your printer and other options.

4. Choose options for the print job, and click Print

Printing the Tutorials If your computer is connected to a printer, you can print single Help topics or entire chapters.

to begin printing.

User Showcase

User Showcase In the Autodesk VIZ tutorials we teach you the tools to use the software. Put those tools in the hands of talented artists and magic happens. Here is a gallery of images by creative individuals from around the world using this software. We hope you find these images inspiring before you set out on your journey of learning Autodesk VIZ.

Image credit: Akihiko Tarutani

Image credit: Marc Heesterbeek

Image credit: Juan Altieri


xix

xx


Image credit: Michael Munson

Image credit: Marc Heesterbeek

Image credit: Fermi Bertran


User Showcase

Image credit: Chen Qingfeng

Image credit: Yoshimasa Shimizu

All images are copyright. Reproduction and distribution is not permitted without the owner’s permission. For more examples of work done with Autodesk VIZ, visit the Autodesk VIZ Gallery.

xxi

xxii


Viz2008 Tutorial Introduction

Recommend Documents