How can photo realistic rendering help my project?

Rendering software is an extremely powerful tool that is used to give realistic images of concepts. Created in 3D CAD (Computer Aided Design) software, it can help bring ideas to life at any stage of the development process and help to make decisions prior to proceeding to functional prototypes and production.

It provides freedom to create multiple versions of a particular product and can be the fastest and most cost effective way in which to get feedback on your ideas.

What is it?

Rendering is mainly used for aesthetic purposes to showcase what a product may look like once produced. When the 3D CAD model has been created, colours, materials and decals can be applied to the part and then displayed in a contextual environment to give the best possible interpretation of ‘the real thing’ without having an actual physical part.

Automotive, aerospace, architectural and industrial industries commonly use render software to show how a product could fit into an intended environment.

Assemblies of parts or multiple models can be rendered in one CAD workspace at the same time or separately, and then grouped into an image manipulation program to create the desired effect.

Plunkett Associates run Solidworks PhotoView 360 software and have a fully qualified design team who are experienced in running this programme.

How does it work?

Once the 3D CAD model has been created, a high quality render can then be generated. The part can be orientated to show a specific feature, to fit within a backdrop or to capture the Unique Selling Point (USP) of the product.

Lifelike lighting effects, such as shadows, can be added at this stage, depending on the scene planned for the product. If shadows are required then it is important to ground the part so that shadows fall from it correctly. The product can also be offset from the ground a certain distance if required. It is possible to change many of the lighting and shadow attributes such as direction, strength as well as the type of lighting.

The cosmetic look of the part can now be added with features such as colours, materials and textures being almost unlimited. It is possible to manipulate many attributes of the parts appearance to create a highly realistic effect, such as, surface reflectivity, refraction, opacity, brightness, etc. Images or decals of materials and textures can also be imported and applied to the model.

We now arrive at the most time consuming part of the rendering process! Every change made to the lighting or appearance properties needs to be validated in the preview renderer to make sure the results are as expected.

Once satisfied with the preview, the final render can then be created at a high quality. The time it will take depends on factors such as, the desired resolution, image size, lighting and shadow complexity, part transparency and reflectivity to name but a few.

What are the Benefits?

Photo realistic rendering can:

• Let you see it before you build it – projects can be viewed to see what they may look like before investing further time and money.
• Allow for early market testing and feedback.
• Speed up the process by reducing the conceptual time for new designs.
• Provide many different variants, particularly complex technical elements, which can be viewed cost effectively.
• Allow feedback to be obtained relatively quickly compared to the rest of the Research & Development process and so bring about huge improvements in efficiency and costs.
• Allow images to be shared easily and sent anywhere in the world.
• Allow early error identification with minimal correction cost.
• Provide images that can be cloned, adapted, stored and re used years later.
• Greatly enhance inter departmental communiaction and allow participation by non technical personnel at an earlier stage.

Whilst many CAD systems may bundle this kind of software within the package, it does take some time to become fluent in its use, and yet more to get the desired results!

This is where Plunkett Associates can help you take the first step in bringing your project to life. Our in house CAD professionals are here to help with your 3D modelling and rendering requirements. This may be an appropriate and cost effective starting point for your project before moving on to full prototype stage so please get in touch and we will be happy to discuss your project with you.