Realistic Renderings in AutoCAD without Add-ons…

This was actually supposed to be posted on the Autodesk Community Board / Forum:

Realistic Renderings in AutoCAD without Add-ons…

To All Members,

Just wondering if there was an easy way to get “Realistic Renderings in AutoCAD without Add-ons?

Specifically I’m looking for an option that works similar to Revit for those of you that have use both programs and really know what I’m talking about. For those that do not have Revit, or that do not understand what I mean by realistic renderings, all you really need to do is look at some of the latest Autodesk advertizing or check out my attachments.

What I did was “redraw, or re-cad” another drawing to make it 3D (converting flat 2D elevations to 3D) This was sort of a “No Brainer”, and should be for your intermediate to advance CAD personnel except… the newly created 3D file “Still” has a “Cartoony Look” (again refer to my attachments).

Up until recently, I have had no real complaints doing this type of work, meaning converting files over to 3D especially since most of the “BIM” work has been just to check for collisions. In fact, most of the other trades prefer to use the “Cartoony Look” because things will stick out if something looks out of place. This also has been the case for my 3D printed files meaning the customers don’t really care about the look, the just want to see that the file is workable, or “printable”.

The reason I’m asking about “Realistic Renderings” is that this now seems to be the norm for people using Revit. Lately I’ve been hit with questions such as “Why don’t your files look Realistic”? or “How do I know if that file is in 3D”, or the usual “How do I know if that’s to Scale”?

So, without using an “Add-on” is there a way to easily create a realistic rendering in AutoCAD? My guess is “No” which is no problem for me because I am using other CAD software, “BUT WOULD PREFER” to just stick with Autodesk.

As usual, any information or help is appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Regards,

Milt

My original "Converted" 2D drawing to a 3D model:

Alternate view of the "Converted" 2D drawing to a 3D model:

Rendering that is close to what my customer was looking to get:

(Note this is not my drawing & I believe it was done in Revit)

Using another program, these are the files I created:

Again, I was looking to do this type of work with AutoCAD but wound up with the "Cartoon Look" in the 1st two renderings.

Again, using another program, these are the files I created:

Old Images For Sale….Really???

Just don’t know where I really stand on this issue, meaning: “Old Images For Sale”

As a “Digital Consultant” I frequently get asked to recreate, scan or print current or old images. The work I get varies from pictures and illustrations to technical drawings, CAD, or BIM work. So I just happened to check my home email today and a friend of mine made me aware of this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/MC-PHOTO-afb-834-Drum-And-Bugle-Corps-/111096196669?pt=Art_Photo_Images&hash=item19ddd96e3d

What  I’m not sure of, since most people these days have a ton of photo's online, if someone else should profiting from these?

Flash back to 1987 (that’s when this photo was taken) digital work was just a dream and only accountants or your top executives had “Personal Computers”.  Now that I think about it, I don’t think I had a computer to work on until 1990. I know this since I learned AutoCAD in 1989 but had no place to “practice” my new skill, until I got a “hand-me-down” IBM –XT, that was upgraded to a “286” machine with a math coprocessor in order to run AutoCAD, (Rev10).

Now, in 2013, most people have phones more powerful than computers built only a few years ago. So if there are old archives of photos, images etc.,  etc.,  etc., can these be “re-packaged” and sold, even if they now know the images belong to someone else, or does the person that took the original photo retain the rights?

Back to Work and College

Just a short blog, or post for anyone that cares.... It's been awhile again and as usual that's due to me being back at school (County College of Morris) and Work.

Fitz’ Digital Cad Service L.L.C.  

https://sites.google.com/site/fitzdigitalcadservice/

Fitz’ Digital Cad Service L.L.C. (consultants)

P.O. Box 1616.

West Caldwell, NJ 07007-1616

(973) 868-7039

Paper or Electronic Document

I have just a little inquiry or question to ask regarding using paper or electronic documents. Basically who uses what these days?

One of the reasons for starting my consulting business was to help with the reduction of paper use, (I can hear the laughter from the people that know me).

But seriously, who uses what these days? For an old timer like me, when it comes to doing material take-offs, or just a plain old drawing review I really prefer paper. Of course, after I’m done with my review, or task, I will scan my document and the notes I’ve made regarding my material take-off, or problems that I see with a drawing / design.

Most of the work I do now is in some type of electronic format. Anyone that knows me or my business knows I obviously work with some type of CAD program. Even if I do a hand sketch, I will scan the document for record and resend to my customers for verification, (I now leave the printing up to them). When it comes to sending out, or receiving documents, I rarely mail, or have anything physically sent to me, since most people now use email. Scan to PDF, TIFF, or JPEG to me has become the normal work flow. Because of this, I’ve noticed that my printer rarely gets used. At least 80% of the time my MFP is used for “Scanning”.

Even with using other software besides Autodesk products, it has become easier to save, convert, or simply cut & paste to another electronic document. So now the other thing that I’ve noticed is that I haven’t been spending money on ink. So, since I’m not spending money on ink, and since I seem to be scanning, or cutting and pasting to create documents I guess I must be doing what I set out to do, which is to “reduce the use of paper”.

Are there any other people out there that noticed they have indirectly become green?

American Pickers, or Storage Wars?

Since when did trying to get work become like American Pickers, or Storage Wars?

I'm still looking for new work based on a commission system. 

It seems as if the work is out there, since I keep getting a request for work and or quotes. 

One of the other little things that seem to annoy me is all of these advertisers, or marketing firms that claim they can help me get business but the want a fee for the leads.

Seems as if all the want is my money, never mind about the type of job lead you get.

It just seems like a waste of time to pay for a lead if you don't even know what it is you are bidding on. 

So.... when did trying to get work become like American Pickers, or Storage Wars?

Updating My Thumbtack Post

https://sites.google.com/site/fitzdigitalcadservice/Updating My Thumbtack Post 

Original Post Date: Saturday, February 5, 2011

My Most Current Blog Post with working links

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CAD Including Drafting & Digital Conversions
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