How to Render Animations in FluidRay

/in , , , , , ,

In this tutorial we will show you how to quickly render camera animations in FluidRay.

If you are a designer, sometimes making a quick video is the most effective way to show your product to a client. Or, if you are an Architect, a camera walk-through can immerse your clients in the spaces you have created for them.

Making such videos is really easy in FluidRay.

FluidRay 3.0 Animation Render

Start by loading your project, then navigate to the Camera tab on the Editor window that is located on the right.

FluidRay Camera Tab

There are a few buttons on the bottom right of the panel that allow you to manipulate the different “Scenes”:

Scene buttons

A “Scene” is a point of view that your camera will go through. After you have added a few scenes with different point of views, FluidRay will automatically create an animation by transitioning between them.

Click on the “+” button to add a new scene, then move the camera to another point of view:

FluidRay Animation scene

Keep adding points of views to cover all the walkthrough.

You can also rename the scenes by clicking on the corresponding name or by clicking on the “Rename” button:

Animation Scene rename

Two parameters are important for animation – Transition and Duration:

FluidRay Animation duration and transition
  • Duration: how long, in seconds, the camera stays fixed in the same point of view
  • Transition: how long, in seconds, the camera takes to go from a point of view to the next

We can now ready to render our animation. To access the render animation dialog, press the “Reel” button on the main toolbar or go to the menu Tools -> Render Animation:

Render Animation Button

The Render Animation dialog appears:

FluidRay Animation Dialog

The following options are available in the Render Animation dialog:

  • Camera: the camera to be used for the animation
  • Start Scene: the scene (point of view) where the animation starts
  • End Scene: the scene (point of view) where the animation ends
  • Resolution: animation resolution. The smaller the resolution the less time it will take to render the animation
  • Quality: the samples per pixels used to render the animation. Lower values will result in lower quality but quicker render times.
  • Preview: the preview button will show a quick preview of the animation, useful to check the animation before starting the final render.
  • Render: the render button starts rendering the animation.

By clicking the Render button you’ll be asked the location where to save the rendered animation:

FluidRay save animation

Note that when selecting the location where to save the video, it’s also possible to decide if to save the animation as a video file (.mp4) or as multiple image files to be joined together at a later time.

This concludes the tutorial. If you have questions, please post them on our Discussion Forums.

If you would like to try FludRay, download the FREE TRIAL.

Customer Spotlight: Product Design Student, Peter Zheng, Uses FluidRay to Present Product Ideas

/in , , ,

Here’s something you probably haven’t seen before – a high-end, simple, ergonomic, and beautiful hair dryer. Sorry though, this product isn’t available just yet!

The FluidRay team first noticed Peter’s unique product ideas on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/peterzheng99/). Peter’s designs and his ability to realistically render the images caught our attention and we knew we needed to know more. As a student at Rhode Island School of Design, Peter spends a good portion of his days learning about product design and putting his skills to the test. Because of this, FluidRay is thrilled that Peter has incorporated our rendering tool into his education. 

“Rendering software is like the most critical step for product design to turn ideas into reality, quicker than making mock up models. The rendered items can give viewers (my professor) a visual impression.”

Peter Zheng

Product design depends heavily on visual models of how a product is intended to look. Peter specifically chose FluidRay for the following reasons:

  • FluidRay is affordable – even for a student!
  • It has an easy user interface
  • FluidRay is a fast, real-time renderer 
  • Materials needed for product designers are already in the FluidRay library

Affordable Rendering Tool

Our pricing plans make FluidRay accessible to anyone with no long term contracts or hidden fees making it the tool of choice for students, independent designers, and firms alike. Learn more about our pricing options and find a plan that works best for you. 

FluidRay Is Easy to Learn

FluidRay’s intuitive interface and straightforward training resources make learning 3D rendering effortless. Our engineers designed FluidRay with usability in mind and the workflow can be grasped in a matter of minutes. Check out our training tutorials for more details on learning how to render images in FluidRay. You’ll create designs quickly and easily, freeing yourself up to focus on imagining your next amazing project!

Real-time Renderer

FluidRay’s real-time capabilities allow you to immediately see edits and adjust designs on the fly. Decisions are made quickly and efficiently to shave time off your projects.

Extensive Materials Library

To make rendering even easier, FluidRay comes with a large library of environments, materials and backgrounds to suit most any design project. 

“FluidRay’s user interface is more straightforward compared to other rendering software, which means it requires less or no learning curve.”

Peter Zheng

For Peter’s design project, he needed to redesign an everyday product. He chose a hair dryer.

Peter wanted to step away from the traditional form of a hair dryer and create something beautiful and more ergonomic. He used Rhino to model the object and the scene, then imported the model into FluidRay to render it. 

In addition to modeling the ergonomic hair dryer, Peter developed a wooden prototype as an offer of another way to view the product.

The following rendered images show the hair dryer in its setting. You can appreciate the sleek design and imagine how it look on a bathroom counter. Beautiful!

To check out more of Peter’s designs, please visit his website where he showcases his design skills and the power of FluidRay! 

If you are interested in trying FluidRay for your product designs, please visit our website for a free-trial. You will see how fast and easy it is to turn your 3D models into realistic images that will inspire your audience! 

Why FluidRay Is the Best Rendering Software

/in , , ,

Until recently, architects, interior designers, jewelry designers, and other product designers relied on 2D and 3D drawings to share with their customers design ideas. These drawings provided details like dimensions, heights, sizing, material thicknesses, and surfaces; for the most part, these details sufficiently got design ideas across. 

Today, designers are able to greatly enhance their 3D models with photorealistic renderings. Renderings enable designers to showcase their work and effectively communicate ideas to customers. Just imagine, sharing a realistic image with customers instead of a simple model and really getting down to the finer details of a design. As a result, designs are finalized more quickly and customers are delighted.

What is Rendering

Rendering is the process that turns a 3D model into a highly realistic image. 

Rendered images are particularly useful to designers because they illustrate an idea rather than something that already exists. These images give the impression though that they are real which, in turn, gives customers a true idea of what the final product will look like. For instance, when applying materials such as hardwood flooring to a design, customers can make decisions early in the project saving time and money.

FluidRay Rendering Software

FluidRay boasts several characteristics that set it apart from other rendering applications and make it the best rendering software for designers. 

Compatibility with SketchUp

FluidRay’s built-in compatibility with SketchUp enables designers to create 3D models in SketchUp and then easily import them into the FluidRay interface. 

Design in Real Time

Quickly share multiple design options and adjust designs on the fly. Decisions are made quickly and efficiently to shave time off your projects.

Save Money

Design changes and issues are discovered early, before construction begins or materials are purchased, to avoid costly delays. 

Create Detailed Designs

Clients can better visualize the entire project and sample different items like materials, fixtures, paint colors and lighting.

Communicate Ideas

Communicate design ideas and modifications to your clients quickly and effectively to keep projects moving forward.

Impress Clients

Create attention grabbing design presentations that highlight your vision and abilities winning over even the most demanding of clients.

Learn Quickly

FluidRay’s intuitive interface and straightforward menus make rendering fast and easy to learn.

Are you ready to learn rendering for your next design project? Our pricing is inexpensive and we offer a free trial so you can see for yourself how fast and easy it is to turn your 3D models into realistic images that will inspire your clients. To learn how to create beautiful renderings in FluidRay, we provide a library of training tutorials. Experience the good side of rendering today!

credit: Mahdi AR

Watch Site Modeling In SketchUp Tutorial Video

/in , , ,

A lot of professional 3D modeling work relates to architectural projects. For large scale developments, there is usually a site development or campus development element in addition to the buildings and other structures. Good site modeling is critical to creating an acceptable model for client projects because the environment needs to complement the structures.

This video comes directly from SketchUp & walks you through the steps to create a site model. Some highlights are how to use a mix of Google Earth & Google Maps views to understand the site; modeling new buildings from scratch; and creating utility scenes for studying.

You expect an official SketchUp tutorial to be pretty sweet and this one doesn’t disappoint. If you’re not into architectural rendering, then this may not be that fun to you, but I think most people doing models will appreciate the techniques and how he shows the capabilities of SketchUp.

Site Modeling in SketchUp

If you haven’t already, then make sure you subscribe to the SketchUp YouTube channel.

Where to Find .SKP Files

/in , , , , , ,

Regular SketchUp users probably already have a big archive of .skp files to draw on for projects, but sometimes you need something new and it helps if you can grab one rather than building from scratch. I did some wandering around the web and found some sources for .skp files. Some are free and some cost a bit, but the nice thing is that these sites are reliable — you can bookmark them and come back whenever you’re searching.

3DWarehouse – https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/
No surprise you’re going to find SKP files at 3DWarehouse, but it’s worth mentioning that they have a fun mix of models including architecture, people and products.

SketchUp Texture – http://www.sketchuptexture.com/p/3d-sketchup-model.html
SketchUp Texture has several collections of room and furniture models in the SKP format. I liked a lot of the stuff in the Houses and Villas collection. It also never hurts to have furniture models when you’re figuring out interiors.

TF3DM –
These guys have a little bit of everything. The quality can vary, but it’s worth checking out. I’d definitely check here for military vehicles.

SKPWizard – http://skpwizard.com/freeblocks.php
SKPWizard carries a good selection of office furniture models. They also have some vehicles, construction supplies, and electronics. I’ve visit here before starting on an office interior project.

TurboSquid – http://www.turbosquid.com/Search/3D-Models/free/skp
I’d say their free .skp offerings are mostly related to furniture or home decor, but TurboSquid also has some human and animal models, as well as, some building models. Check them out for starter models to practice on.

GrabCad – https://grabcad.com/library/software/sketchup
I’ve found some gorgeous building models here along with a variety of furniture, mechanical, and other objects. If you’re doing product or industrial design, then make sure you check here for things like gears and motors too.

David Hier – http://www.davidhier.co.uk/freemodels.html
Let’s take a moment to thank David for sharing some of his models for high-end designer furniture. He shares a lot of his stuff on TurboSquid, but make sure to check his site for goodies. His models might be good for a hotel room or lobby project where if you’re going for a contemporary look and feel.

Creative Crash – http://www.creativecrash.com/sketchup/
Creative Crash’s marketplace has a lot of goodies. The quality and prices will vary a lot and some models are a bit pricey, but you’ll find plenty of well done vehicle, electronics, exterior and environmental models to work with.

Nomeradona SketchUp, VRay Resources – http://sketchupvrayresources.blogspot.com/p/free-sketchup-scenes-and-models.html
There is not a lot here, but the few models are well done. I especially like the sofa and padded material models. Hopefully, they’ll keep adding to the site, but I’d pick up the sofa models now to have handy.

SketchUp4Architects – http://www.sketchup4architect.com/sketchup-components.htm
There is a good selection of models here with an emphasis on architectural components (rooms, doors, windows, floors, stairways, etc.). You’ll also find some people, furniture, and vehicles mixed in. This is a good resource for assets to construct rooms or other basic architectural modeling tasks.

SweetHome3D – http://www.sweethome3d.com/importModels.jsp
SweetHome3D offers several collections of models, some with hundreds of files included. In some cases, you’ll be directed away from the site, but I didn’t find anything shady — just more models. Pay attention to the licensing rules.

Modlar – http://www.modlar.com/information/3d-models/
Modlar is the place to get manufacture approved models of appliances, tools, industrial equipment and more. It’s heavy into sinks, faucets and other kitchen and bathroom models, but you also have industrial, furniture and flooring. A good site for anyone doing kitchens and bathrooms, or looking for some well done pieces to refine home models.

TruStile – http://www.trustile.com/design-planning/3d-cad-symbols/sketchup
This is vendor site so you won’t find a variety. That said, TruStile gives you models for about 40 different styles of residential doors. I suggest picking them all up and keeping them as resource for any residential housing project.

Popular Woodworking – http://www.popularwoodworking.com/sketchup-for-woodworking-models
Every model here is for something wooden. Fortunately, you can use wood almost anywhere. A decent selection of models though you’ll see a lot of tables and cabinets. Worth browsing for touches to add to a rustic cabin or home. You might also use the benches for parks or other outdoor settings.

Kolbe – http://www.kolbe-kolbe.com/architectLibrary/index.cfm?pcID=7&pID=169
Another vendor site. This one is focused on Kolbe windows. The models are well made and done to work well with any architectural models. Like with TruStile, I’d grab as many as you can now so you have the for later.

That’s it for now. I’ll keep looking and adding as I discover new sites. Leave a comment if you want to share some of your own models or let us know about some good sites.

Feature image: Asus P6T6 3d model by 3DRegenerator

Where to Find .3dm files

/in , , , , , ,

You can build your own .3dm files but it takes time and you may not get the best results. If you’re like us, then you’ve probably got a few spots you check for models, and you’ve also probably bought some sets over the years. But you always end up needing something you don’t have, and having to look around.

I did some snooping through my lists of sites to find ones that offered a good mix of .3dm models. Not all the sites are free or have large selections, but they are all dependable. Take the time to browse through a few of them when working on a project and you should be able to find what you need.

TF3DM – http://tf3dm.com/3d-models/all/1/3dm
This site has a good selection of models, but they range in quality from high-end to beginner. You can find anything from full buildings to Black Hawk helicopters to a T-Rex. Prices vary a lot, and you need to be careful to check which license is available for each model.

CGTrader – http://www.cgtrader.com/free-3d-models
A library of free 3dm models, heavy on automotive but you can find some animal, environment and product models if you look around for a bit.

GrabCad – https://grabcad.com/library/software/rhino?per_page=20&query=3dm
Not a very large selection, but there are some nice ones here & the site has good search functionality.

AD-3D http://ad-3d.com/free-rhino-3d-nurbs-models/
This is a free collection — available for both personal and commercial use (but not reselling) — from Aleksandar Dimitrov. Mostly furniture models, but some exteriors like fields thrown in.

FlexiCad – https://www.flexicad.com/download.php?lang=de&misc=1300
Honestly, it’s only 4 models here but its worth going to pick up the Audi TT model.

Aversis – http://www.aversis.be/3dmodels/
Not many here, but they are all decent quality. Click the links labeled “Rhino” to get the .3dm files.

Turbosquid – http://www.turbosquid.com/
You’ve probably come across this site before. Big selection of models. You can search subject and then filter to get models compatible with Rhino. Pretty much everything here is high-quality, but you’re going to pay for it: prices range from US $5 – $500. Fortunately, you can filter by price. If you need a model for work, then this is a good place to look, but not sure its the right place for a student.

Craftsmansspace – http://www.craftsmanspace.com/free-3d-models
If you’re looking for free geometries and pattern 3dm files, then I’d check here. Nothing to fancy is available, but you can use these models for things like fencing, icons, wall art without too many problems.

Yobi3D – https://www.yobi3d.com/
It finds 3D models on the Internet with simple keyword search. The models can be previewed in 3D right on your browser.

This list is a work in progress. If you’d like to have your model site, set or file added, then leave a comment.

New Case Study: FluidRay RT Accelerates Rendering Quality for Industrial Designers

/in ,

We are excited to announce a new case study about the benefits of using FluidRay RT on complex industrial design projects.  The case study discusses increased production time and shorter rendering cycles; just a few of the benefits that industrial designers will gain both with FluidRay RT as a stand alone or with plugins like Rhino, SketchUp or Shade3D.

Diego Pabon, the chief designer behind international industrial design firm, Cientoveinte shared his experience using FluidRay RT to enhance his work and create better quality final products for his clients.

Let us know your thoughts!