Abvent launches iVisit 3D version 1.3

Developed especially for architects and designers, iVisit 3D allows users to view panorama renderings on an iPad or iPhone. Download iVisit 3D today from the App Store and try it with the sample files. Learn how to view and share panoramas with this innovative, easy-to-use, 3D presentation tool! 

What's new in version 1.3:

• iVisit 3D is now optimized for iPhone 5 and iOS 6.

Check out this video to see how easy-to-use iVisit 3D really is!

Learn how to create an iVisit 3D Panorama here!

Learn how to download your iVisit 3D panorama to your iPhone/iPad here!

Artlantis export plug-in news

Vectorworks 2013 export plug-ins to Artlantis 3 and 4.1 are now ready for downloading.

ArchiCAD 14, 15, 16 export plug-ins to Artlantis 3 and 4.1 were updated and enhanced.

Fixes:

• Use Reference File, lights and cameras offset
• Use Reference File, the already created panoramas keep their nodes
• In spite of being unchecked, the textures were exported
• The ArchiCAD lamps were switched off when transported to Artlantis

Enhancements:

• More accuracy when merging geometry
• The exported materials are smoothed by 20% by default. As a result, all curved surfaces arrive smoothed into Artlantis
• The version number of the export is now displayed in the "Extension Manager" window.

The latest ArchiCAD 16 Hotfix includes and installs the updated Artlantis 4.1 export plug-in by default. This Hotfix can be accessed only from inside of ArchiCAD either by following the instructions of the automatic message, or by opening the Help menu and choosing the "Check for Updates" command.

 Download the Export Plug-ins

 Download the Artlantis 30-day Demo

iRender Billboards 'Second Edition'

The "Second Edition" iRender Billboards Media Collection, comprised of 156 Ethnic African Images, is now available in the following file formats:

• Artlantis Render and Artlantis Studio Billboard File Format
• Photoshop PSD File Format
• .PNG File Format (Alpha Channel included for use in AutoCAD, ArchiCAD, Revit, and SketchUp)

This second volume includes imagery of African female models dressed in traditional clothing,  including Swati, Zulu, and Venda for those projects specifically located on the African continent.

Click here to view detailed contents of this Media Collection in our iRender Billboard Gallery. (Please note that these Gallery images are "low resolution" and for the sole purpose of enabling you to view the content of the product offering. The product you purchase will contain the "high resolution" imagery in its various useable File Formats).

Delivery of the Media is by way of an Internet download, but an overnight shipment of the contents on an 8Gb memory stick can be arranged at an additional charge of R 250.00 Incl VAT to any location in South Africa.  Please advise accordingly.

The price of this outstanding collection is R 1,195.00 Incl VAT.

Click here to order today!

iRender Billboards 'First Edition'

The "First Edition" iRender Billboards Media Collection, comprised of 125 Ethnic African images, is now available in the following file formats:

• Artlantis Render and Artlantis Studio Billboard File Format
• Photoshop PSD File Format
• .PNG File Format (Alpha Channel included for use in AutoCAD, ArchiCAD, Revit, and SketchUp)

This first volume includes imagery ideally suited to dress up those shopping mall scenes, the corporate office environment, and incorporates predominantly African models for those projects specifically located on the African continent.

Click here to view detailed contents of this Media Collection in the iRender Billboard Gallery.  (Please note that these Gallery images are "low resolution" and for the sole purpose of enabling you to view the content of the product offering. The product you purchase will contain the "high resolution" imagery in its various useable File Formats).

Delivery of the Media is by way of an Internet download, but an overnight shipment of the content on an 8Gb memory stick can be arranged at an additional charge of R 250.00 Incl VAT to any location in South Africa.  Please advise accordingly.

This colorful collection is priced at R 1,195.00 Incl VAT.

Click here to order today!

Tips to Create Great 3D Architectural Renderings

By Shawn Khoo

3D architectural renderings have become an increasingly popular tool for architects to show clients what a completed project would look like, in a way that is more realistic than using scale models or artist's drawings. But in order for an architectural rendering to be successful, it has to be as photo-realistic as possible. Here are some tips on how to achieve an increased level of realism in your renderings.

1. Chamfer your edges. Even in man-made objects there is no such thing as perfectly sharp edges. By beveling your edges using a chamfer tool in the rendering software, you not only make your rendering look more realistic, you also bring out more detail by letting the edges capture highlights from your lighting source.

2. Don't use colors that are 100% black or white. In order to show that an object has volume, you need to have areas that are highlighted and shaded using mid-tones for contrast. If you have a virtual material that is totally black, your model will look flat because the differences between the shaded areas and the mid-tones will not be visible. Same with a totally white model, except that in this case, it is the differences between the mid-tones and light areas that are not visible.

3. Use blurred background or depth of field effects in your 3D architectural renderings since a certain amount of blurring is something that is associated with photographs from real life to indicate movement. You can apply depth effects during the actual rendering or they can be added in post-production using the lens blur and z-depth pass features.

4. Use specular maps. These maps add more realism to your renderings by telling the render engine which parts of it should have high glossiness (specularity) and which are more diffuse. But you can also use specular maps in rendering objects that are supposed to have a uniform finish, such as ceramics, by highlighting naturally-occurring irregularities such as dings and scratches.

5. Use area shadows. When you are doing exterior renderings, you should be aware of the time of day it is supposed to be so that you can reflect it in the shadows that are being cast. For example, if it is supposed to be morning, the shadows should be soft and not sharply defined. On the other hand, at mid-day, shadows are crisp. The type of lighting that you are using in the rendering is something you should also take into consideration; for example, sunlight creates softer shadows compared with artificial lighting, which can cast a shadow that is sharper.

6. Add some dirt and disorder to the image. In real life, even things that are supposed to be brand new are not pristine and will have some imperfections. So add these details to your renderings, such as tiny cracks. Or when you do a room, avoid making it look too neat by adding some disordered details, such as a few scattered objects.

7. Include asymmetry. In nature, things are never completely symmetric. So once you're finishing off your 3D architectural renderings, add some asymmetric variance in order to make them look more realistic.

Are you looking for information on 3D architectural renderings? Visit http://www.8yolkstudio.com/ today!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shawn_Khoo

Artlantis 'Pair of Aces' Promotion is Your Winning Hand

When the chips are down, nothing comes in handier than a pair of aces. For architectural visualization, Artlantis Render and Studio are your aces in the hole, an unbeatable combo that can pull you out of the toughest situations and put you in the winner's circle. Abvent is featuring this powerful pair in a special promotion, perfectly suited for offices that need to create a mix of still and animated renderings.

From now until October 31, save 25% when you purchase the Pair of Aces promo, featuring one first-seat licenses of Artlantis Render and one first-seat license of Artlantis Studio. Both can be used to render still images, while Artlantis Studio provides additional animation and VR movie-making capabilities. Hurry! This deal won't be on the table long...pick up this Pair of Aces and get in the game!

 Pair of Aces Pricing and Ordering

 Download the Artlantis 30-day Demo

 Download the Export Plug-ins

New plug-ins available for Artlantis 4.1

  

New Artlantis export plug-ins are available for Vectorworks 2013 and ArchiCAD 16.

Abvent has released a few new export plug-ins for Artlantis:

• Go from ArchiCAD 16 directly to Artlantis 4.1;
• Go from Vectorworks 2013 directly to Artlantis 4.1.

In addition to the new plug-ins, the ArchiCAD 15 plug-in has also been enhanced:

• Use Reference File, lights and cameras offset;
• Use Reference File, the previously-created panoramas keep their nodes;
• In spite of being unchecked, the textures were exported;
• The ArchiCAD lamps were switched off when transferred to Artlantis;
• More accuracy when merging geometry;
• The exported materials are smoothed by 20% by default. As a result, all curved surfaces arrive smoothed into Artlantis;
• The version number of the export is now displayed in the "Extension Manager" window.

Click here to learn more about using Vectorworks with Artlantis.

Click here to learn more about using ArchiCAD with Artlantis.

Download Artlantis 4.1 for a free, 30-day trial!

Attention Vectorworks 2013 users!

Vectorworks 2013 users will be pleased to know that the export plug-in for Vectorworks 2013 to Artlantis 3 and Artlantis 4.1 is now available for downloading.

Artlantis is the perfect software for Vectorworks 2013 users, allowing the presentation of architectural models with 3D photorealistic renderings.  Artlantis enables you to improve and bring realism to your Vectorworks models with 3D objects and textures.  Texture your models with high resolution shaders to obtain a very realistic effect, then set your scene with as many light sources as you want.

These two programs will work for you in a complementary way, helping you to complete even the most ambitious projects, and giving your presentations the realistic look you've been aiming for.

Click here to download the plug-in.

Render[in] for SketchUp, powered by Artlantis

Render[in] 2
Render[in] for SketchUp is a powerful, fully-integrated rendering engine developed for SketchUp. Powered by Artlantis, Render[in] offers real-time preview for 'what you see is what you get' results, gives you even more texture settings to choose from, provides additional environment settings, and helps you create and change the lighting in your rendered scenes easily and quickly.

iVisit 3D Panoramas
The latest version of Render[in] for SketchUp allows you to create iVisit 3D panoramas, previously available only to Artlantis Studio 4 users.  Create a true, virtual tour inside your project with multi-node panoramas. Everything needed for viewing panoramas on your website is automatically created by Render[in]. The free player is based on Flash™ technology and is compatible with Macintosh, Windows, Linux and even Androïd operating systems. For iPhone and iPad users, a special application allows you to view and share your panoramas on these handheld devices. The iVisit 3D App is available in two versions (Lite and Pro) from the App Store. iVisit 3D Lite is free, but is limited to one viewing per day.

Whether you're new to Render[in] or a current user, check out the new video to learn more about this powerful 3D rendering tool, designed especially for SketchUp users!

Visit www.renderin.com for your free, 30-day demo version of Render[in] for SketchUp.

Good news for ARC+ users

Our good friends at CADez in The Netherlands are proud of the beautiful work users of both ARC+ and Artlantis have produced over the years -- and rightly so.

Users of ARC+ will be pleased to know that this well-known modeling software now supports Artlantis 3, 4, and 4.1 directly.

Check out this gallery of work here and here to see just some of the beautiful work that has been produced with these two powerful architectural modeling and rendering tools.

Download the latest version of ARC+ here.

Download a 30-day demo version of Artlantis here.