Vectorworks Images
by Tom Greggs
Under the heading HDRI I have pasted in several images from HDRI environments included in prior issues of Vectorworks. These are NOT available in the stock install of v.2012, sadly, but can be imported IF you have older versions of Vectorworks Architect or Designer available to you. In v.2012, there are several HDRI's included for those who like context when displaying 3D models. However, if you do architectural design, you may find them less than helpful, especially if you model anything smaller than a block-wide assembly of buildings. The reason I say "less than helpful" is that these are mostly skies with no greenery or buildings on the horizon. The effect of placing your structure in one of these is that the model seems to exist on Pikes Peak or some other other-worldly place where none of us--and more to the point--none of our clients, live.
There are two big benefits of using HDRI's with the contextual elements of buildings and greenery. One is that the HDRI imparts a lovely, soft sky-reflection in the windows of your building or other reflective objects. The second is simply the speed with which one can add photo-like reality to a model.
To try HDRI's out for yourself, first take a look at how you get to them and manipulate them. Start with a bare Design Layer. Use the Camera tool to place a camera icon while in Top Plan view. Click on the icon to take you to a default 3D Perspective view. Now to View>Set Renderworks Background. (We'll be looking first at the stock scenes in your version of Vectorworks. Those with newer versions may not have the HDRI's labeled "Lightworks.") From the palette that appears, choose one with HDRI in its title. The HDRI is now live in your view but not yet visible until rendered. Render now in Fast Renderworks or better. (Artistic Rendering works too.) OpenGL doesn't work for HDRI's. You can now quickly test out the look that each HDRI provides since you've not yet added your model.
There is one more way to get more use from each HDRI by editing. After the HDRI has been placed into your drawing, go to the Resource Browser and select the file you're working in (topmost setting) and scroll down the list of Resources until you see Render Settings and the globe-like HDRI thumbprints. Select one you'd like to modify and right click your mouse to find Edit. Under Options, you'll see you can change the rotation of an HDRI from 0° to 180°. You can also change brightness. I've found, on my latest model (shown at the end of HDRI's) is that I had to bump my brightness to 140% to get it to show properly. Saturation I've not yet played with.
What's interesting to me is that while the scenes I've included under HDRI are clear enough, when used, the image that appears is less predictable which may have more to do with how the camera is set up. An earlier experiment of interior and exterior images (Images 1, 2, etc.) show HDRI's taken from the same set included here but the HDRI's display differently and I'm at a loss to explain how that can be but happily accept the mystery since they seem to add to the options and not subtract.
To get to the Lightworks HDRI's, find your Vectorworks file
..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Also enclosed from an earlier experiment are several images created in v.2012. The interiors shown are basic in their lighting and are meant to be a starting place. There are certain modes within the rendering options that should give you a means to serve your clients at different stages of plan production with solid images. While Custom Renderworks is my favorite, it's not always practical to give a client something showing an all-textured drawing. Experiment to find those several that work for you.
The last few images are left-overs from a fund-raiser I did for my kid's crew program (he's got the G on his shirt). He rowed with his high school class at Henley in June, winning their first race and losing to a boat of ringers from Australia who went on to win the cup.
There is a contact link under more... if you have questions/comments.
Tom
Greggs Building Design
Seattle
