Wednesday, June 27, 2012

The sky's the limit with Artlantis 4.1's new HDRI Backgrounds feature

Artlantis 4.1 continues to dazzle and amaze with a rich set of excellent new features, including the new HDRI Background environments option. We're going to break down exactly what an HDR image is, and how you can start using them today to help create an immersive, detailed environment with realistic ambient lighting effects in your renderings.

High Dynamic Range Image (or Imaging) is a method of capturing a higher range of lighting intensities in an image by taking multiple photographs of the exact same view at a variety of different exposures. Through the use of software, the photographs are merged into a single HDR image file, which can then be manipulated in different ways through the use of tone mapping. Tone mapping enables the full range of intensities in the image to be utilized at will, creating anything from a subdued effect that simply better balances the contrast between light & dark areas of the image, to an extremely exaggerated effect where the high contrast creates an otherworldly atmosphere.

In 3D rendering applications like Artlantis, HDR images tends toward the more subdued, balanced use of background imagery to create realistic-looking immersive 360-degree environments. But, because the full range of lighting exposures are embedded into an HDR image, that same image can also serve as a light source for the scene, creating highly convincing ambient lighting on the surfaces of the 3D model.

What does all this mean, then? Simplicity! Select your HDR image in the Perspective Inspector: Environment settings: Background settings, then click on the HDRI button to turn on HDR lighting and adjust the intensity. Optionally, you can still add a heliodon (with or without shadows and lens flare) to create additional daylighting effects in an HDRI-lit scene. Now, it's your turn to download the free HDRI samples and try it out on your model in Artlantis 4.1!

Download the Artlantis 30-day Demo

Download the HDRI Samples

Artlantis 4.1 Pricing and Ordering

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Architory: History of Western Architecture App

Check out this cool App from Hudsucker Studios:
  • Interested in Architecture but never had the time to take a course?
  • Don't have the patience to read through a 1,000 page textbook?
  • Want to encourage your child's budding interest in Architecture?
  • Impress your friends with your newfound knowledge.
Architory organizes and presents over 100 notable architects and their works from the Renaissance to the modern era, using carefully selected images and written commentary. Architory is a simple but effective app to help you quickly become familiar with the architects who made significant contributions to western civilization thru their works.

Architory is the perfect gift for anyone with an interest in Architecture. Version 2.1 now includes a Glossary, as well as a Twitter feeds of popular blogs. Learn the history while keeping up-to-date with news and issues concerning Architecture.

Once fully downloaded all images are viewable off-line without the worry of being disconnected.

Due to the large file size please be patient and download over a wi-fi connection.

Suggestions of Architects and Works to include in future updates are always welcome.

Future updates will always be free.

Enjoy!

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Abvent's 3D rendering technology opens Palace doors to millions

Google's World Wonders Project allows visitors to explore many ancient and modern World Heritage sites thanks to Street View, 3D modeling and other Google technologies. As of June 14, visitors can now explore the Palace of Versailles, the gardens, the King and Queen's State Apartments and the Hall of Mirrors in Street View. Modeled in SketchUp Pro and rendered in Abvent's Artlantis and iVisit 3D, the 3D models of Versailles on Google Earth offer nearly 200 hectares of views.

To mark the opening of the Palace history gallery, the Palace of Versailles and the Cultural Institute chose Google's SketchUp Pro and Abvent's Artlantis to create a trip back in time using alternative presentations of the collections, physical models and 3D reconstructions.

"We are pleased and proud to participate in such a monumental project," said Xavier Soule, CEO of Abvent. "The Versailles 3D Projects have opened the Palace doors to millions of people in ways that only 3D rendering technology could have made possible," he added.

Thanks to SketchUp Pro and Artlantis, visitors to the site can now learn about the Palace of Versailles in a fun and educational way. For example, the Versailles 3D Project videos transport visitors to the Palace 'From Louis XIII to the French Revolution', 'After the French Revolution', and 'From gardens to Trianon palaces'.

Visitors will also appreciate the interactive aspect of the site using Abvent's iVisit 3D Panoramas. These 360
° panoramas display the Palace and gardens at different stages of development from 1624 to 2012.


Coming soon: 3D scale models for mobiles
Versailles and Google will soon make it possible for visitors to the Palace to immerse themselves in its history using their mobile phones and tablets. Developed in partnership with Abvent, this application will be available through the Google Play Store and the iTunes store. In addition, tablets will be provided to tour guides who wish to illustrate their group tours.

Visitors will be able to view the Palace in the period of their choice by facing the Royal Courtyard, the Chapel or the gardens with their mobile phone or tablet. The phone/tablet opens a window on the past by superimposing on the Palace of today the construction from the reign of Louis XIV.

For more information about the exciting Versailles 3D Projects, click here!

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Abvent launches Artlantis 4.1, powered by Maxwell Render


PARIS, June 11, 2012 – Abvent announced today the release of Artlantis 4.1, powered by the Maxwell Render engine from Next Limit Technologies. This latest release combines the speed and ease-of-use Artlantis users have come to rely on with the power and physical accuracy of Maxwell Render. As the fastest stand-alone 3D rendering application developed especially for architects and designers, Artlantis 4.1 takes architectural visualization to new heights. ...

Click here for the full press release, and to learn about all the great new features Artlantis 4.1 has to offer...