Architectural Rendering with 3ds Max and V-Ray: Photorealistic Visualization

216 Pages·2010·45.19 MB·English

by  Markus Kuhlo

Architectural Rendering with
3ds Max and V-Ray

Architectural
Rendering with
3ds Max and
V-Ray
Photorealistic Visualization
Markus Kuhlo
Enrico Eggert
AMSTERDAM(cid:129)BOSTON(cid:129)HEIDELBERG(cid:129)LONDON(cid:129)NEWYORK(cid:129)OXFORD
PARIS(cid:129)SANDIEGO(cid:129)SANFRANCISCO(cid:129)SINGAPORE(cid:129)SYDNEY(cid:129)TOKYO
FocalPressisanimprintofElsevier
FocalPressisanimprintofElsevier
30CorporateDrive,Suite400,Burlington,MA01803,USA
TheBoulevard,LangfordLane,Kidlington,Oxford,OX51GB,UK
©2010ELSEVIERInc.Allrightsreserved.
©2009PearsonEducationDeutschlandGmbH.Allrightsreserved.Firstpublishedin
theGermanlanguageunderthetitle“Architektur-Renderingmit3dsMaxundV-Ray”
byAddison-Wesley,animprintofPearsonEducationDeutschlandGmbH,München.
Nopartofthispublicationmaybereproducedortransmittedinanyformorbyanymeans,
electronicormechanical,includingphotocopying,recording,oranyinformationstorage
andretrievalsystem,withoutpermissioninwritingfromthepublisher.Detailsonhowto
seekpermission,furtherinformationaboutthePublisher’spermissionspoliciesandour
arrangementswithorganizationssuchastheCopyrightClearanceCenterandtheCopyright
LicensingAgency,canbefoundatourwebsite:www.elsevier.com/permissions.
Thisbookandtheindividualcontributionscontainedinitareprotectedundercopyrightby
thePublisher(otherthanasmaybenotedherein).
Notices
Knowledgeandbestpracticeinthisfieldareconstantlychanging.Asnewresearchand
experiencebroadenourunderstanding,changesinresearchmethods,professionalpractices,
ormedicaltreatmentmaybecomenecessary.
Practitionersandresearchersmustalwaysrelyontheirownexperienceandknowledgein
evaluatingandusinganyinformation,methods,compounds,orexperimentsdescribed
herein.Inusingsuchinformationormethodstheyshouldbemindfuloftheirownsafety
andthesafetyofothers,includingpartiesforwhomtheyhaveaprofessionalresponsibility.
Tothefullestextentofthelaw,neitherthePublishernortheauthors,contributors,or
editors,assumeanyliabilityforanyinjuryand/ordamagetopersonsorpropertyasamatter
ofproductsliability,negligenceorotherwise,orfromanyuseoroperationofanymethods,
products,instructions,orideascontainedinthematerialherein.
LibraryofCongressCataloging-in-PublicationData
Applicationsubmitted
BritishLibraryCataloguing-in-Publication Data
AcataloguerecordforthisbookisavailablefromtheBritishLibrary.
ISBN:978-0-240-81477-3
ForinformationonallFocalPresspublications
visitourwebsiteatwww.elsevierdirect.com
Typesetby:diacriTech,Chennai,India
PrintedintheUnitedStatesofAmerica
101112131454321
CHAPTER 1
Introduction and Theory
Preface
We are glad that you have decided to purchase this book on architectural
renderings with 3ds Max and V-Ray. We hope that you will enjoy reading
the book and the opportunity to learn new things while working through
the lessons. We trust that you will be able to apply this information in
your future projects. The book is divided into six chapters. The first
chapter focuses on theoretical knowledge. The information provided in
this section spans a range, from light in real life via computer graphics to
its significance in architecture. We will discuss sources of light specific to
V-Ray, as well as materials and cameras. Different render algorithms and
their advantages and disadvantages will be introduced. The other five
chapters show you how to proceed with 3D Studio Max and V-Ray,
workshop-style. Architectural scenes and lighting scenarios are described,
from opening the file to the final rendering settings. We decided to use
V-Ray as the rendering plug-in, because it is a very fast, high-quality
renderer and is available for all commonly used 3D software solutions.
ArchitecturalRenderingwith3dsMaxandV-Ray.DOI:10.1016/B978-0-240-81477-3.00005-3
Copyright©2010byElsevierInc.Allrightsreserved. 1
Architectural Rendering with 3ds Max and V-Ray
V-Ray is now available for Cinema 4D, SketchUp, Rhinoceros, and 3ds
Max, to name a few. There is also a current beta version of V-Ray for
Maya. The parameters and theories that the settings are based on are the
same in all applications, which makes this book interesting for many
users, not just users of 3ds Max.
Havefun andenjoy working withV-Ray!
Acknowledgments
From Markus
IwanttothankmyfamilyandmywonderfulfiancéRili,whoalwayssupported
me.IalsowanttothanktheteamatScanlineVFXforallowingmetolearn
somuchandbeingabletoseenewtricksthere.
From Enrico
Iamgratefultomyfamilyfortheirmoralsupport.Tothemandtomy
closestfriends,IowethanksforbeingsounderstandingabouthowIwas
abletospendsolittletimewiththem.MygoodfriendAnjadeservesspecial
mentionforhergreatsupportineveryrespectduringthelastfewweeks
beforecompletion.
IowespecialthankstoDr.MarcusKaluscheofarchlab.de,whoalways
supportedmeandprovidedvaluableadvice.Manythanksalsotoour
technicaleditorFlorianTrüstedt.Hereadilysupporteduswithhistechnical
expertise.WealsowishtothankourpublishingeditoratPearson,Brigitte
Bauer-Schiewek,forassistingusthroughoutthecreationofthisbook.
Who Is This Book Intended For?
The book is mainly intended for computer graphics artists, enthusiastic
users, and students of all disciplines who want to present their drafts,
products, and ideas in three dimensions. Primarily, it obviously addresses
students of architecture and interior design, where ideas are often
conveyed through the medium of renderings. Furthermore, this book is
meant to offer experienced architects and creative people access to the
world of three-dimensional computer graphics. We hope to accomplish
this through clear and straightforward presentation of the basics and by
offering various problem-solving strategies as well as helpful tips for daily
production tasks. You should already have a basic understanding of the
user interface and operation of 3ds Max. As we focus primarily on light,
materials, and settings for V-Ray rendering, it would be beyond the
scope of this book to explain the basic elements of 3ds Max. It would
also be helpful if you have previous experience with AutoCAD. Some
of the models on which the scenes are based have been constructed in
AutoCAD and are linked with 3ds Max. Here, emphasis is placed on using
AutoCAD layers.
2
Introduction and Theory
Basics of Architectural Visualization
The primary purpose of every picture is to impart an idea, concept, or
draft. Sketches and templates for image formationare not necessarily
required but can be very helpful. In architectural visualizations,
photorealistic picturesare not in great demand.Instead, abstracted
renderings are sought after in order to elaborate the idea and eliminate
unimportant elements. Good communicationwith your client is therefore
very important: you have to be speaking the same language, so to speak.
It is also helpfulto have a certain amount of background knowledge about
your client’s trade.
More concretebasics are athree-dimensional, digitalmodel, reference
photos of thesurroundings, and materialsor evenmoodpictures. You
should builda well-structured database offixtures and fittings, textures,
background images,and other accessories. This databasewill growrather
large overtime,so itneeds tobe properly arranged.
We donot wanttocomment in great detailontechnical equipment, asit
constantly needs tobe updated.Werecommend that youhaveat leasttwo
computers. One should be aworkstation withan up-to-date, powerful
processor; alot of RAM;agood graphicscard; and twomonitors. Ideally,
one monitor should beat least24 inches (diagonally)toallow comfortable
working. Youare going tobe workingon this computer, whiletheother
one calculates your pictures. Thesecond computer does not requirea
powerful graphics cardor monitors. Ifpossible, youshould useprocessors
of thesame type.
Inadditiontoyourknowledgeandyourequipment,youwillneedalotof
patienceandofcourseagreatdealofinspirationforcreativecomputerwork.
Considerations Regarding Light
In this section,weare going toapproach thetopicof light fromthree
angles: itsobservation inreal life, itstranslation withincomputer graphics,
and its significancein architecture.
Light in the Real World
Perception and Mood
First, itmust be saidthat thetopicof “light”is far too complexfor us to
sufficiently explorehere.We aregoing tocomment on onlyafew aspects
regarding atmosphere and phenomenology.
Ineverydaylife,werarelythinkaboutlightintherealworld,althoughit
ispresenteverywhere.Butwearesousedtotheconditionsofrealitythat
wenoticeimmediatelyifsomethingisnotreal.Consequently,wewould
3
Architectural Rendering with 3ds Max and V-Ray
almostalwaysnoticeadifferencebetweenacomputer-generatedpictureanda
photograph.Thisismainlyduetodifferencesorerrorsincomputer-generated
presentationsoflight.Almostanyonecannoticethatthesedivergefrom
reality,butonlyatrainedeyecanactuallyspecifythedifferences.
Light has a subconscious influence on our feelings; it can stimulate
emotions and create atmosphere. For example, when we are watching
a sunset, we might feel romantic. Depending on its color, light can have
a calming effect or make us feel uncomfortable. Think of the difference
between warm candlelight and a corridor with the cold light from
fluorescent tubes. Creating moods therefore requires conscious and
deliberate observation of our surroundings.
Inthereal world, thereare threelighting scenarios. Thefirst one isnatural
light,whichmeans sunlightshiningdirectly or indirectlyonto Earth,such as
moonlightorthrough a layer ofclouds. Natural and weatherphenomena
providean exception—for example,lightningand fire. Thesecond scenario
isartificial light:any light that is notof naturalorigin, but manmade.This
includeselectric light,but also candlelight. Thethird andmost common
scenario isa simultaneous occurrence of bothnatural andartificial light.
Oneof thefirst discussions youshould therefore have withyour client is
determining whichof these scenariosis present inthepicture youare
goingtocreate.
Someunits ofmeasurement indealing withlight:
(cid:129) Luminous flux(lumen): Describes theradiated outputof alight source
persecond
(cid:129) Luminous intensity (candela): Describes theluminous fluxwhich is
emittedin acertain direction
(cid:129) Illuminance (lux):Describes theluminous fluxwhich arrivesat acertain
surface
(cid:129) Luminance(candelas persquaremeter): Describes theluminous flux
whichis emitted fromacertain surface
Illuminance
Lightissubjecttoaseriesofrules.Threeoftheseareofgreatimportancein
computergraphics.Thefirstruleisthattheilluminancedecreaseswiththe
squareofthedistancefromthelightsource.Thismeansthatasurfaceof
onemetersquarethatisonemeterawayfromthelightsourceisilluminated
withthefullassumedluminousintensityofthelightsource.Ifyouincrease
thedistancebyanothermetersothatitisnowtwometers,theilluminance
isonlyaquarteroftheluminousintensity.Atadistanceofthreemeters,the
illuminanceisonlyaninthoftheluminousintensity.Theluminousintensity
alwaysremainsconstant.
Thetwo other importantqualities arethereflection andrefraction of
light.Iflight hitsa surface, a certain amountof itisabsorbed and the
4
Introduction and Theory
FIG1.1 Light Source without
Decrease in Illuminance.
FIG1.2 Light Source with Natural
Decrease in Illuminance.
FIG1.3 The Blue Floor Makes the
Entire Scene Look Blue.
FIG1.4 The Multicolored Floor
Affects the Coloration of the
Surrounding Objects, Depending on
its Surface Color.
rest reflected. The reflected part isthedetermining factor that enables us
to perceive objects. Anobject that absorbs 100 percent of light appears
completely black tous.White surfaces reflect most ofthelight.The darker
and rougher thesurface, theless lightitwill reflect and themoreitwill
absorb. An object always reflectslight inits object color, whichcan lead to
what iscalled colorbleeding,or thebleedingor overlapping ofcolors onto
other objects.
5