Render from AutoCAD via 3DS Max

[erik]

Hey,

I thought I'd post this as it illustrates the workflow from AutoCAD (AutoCAD Architecture in this case) through to Octane via 3DS Max. Firstly keep in mind I'm not exactly an expert, but it's very easy so that doesn't matter. However there were a few things that I thought would be be good to point out.

Here's the steps I used:

1. Create a model in AutoCAD. Make sure you have your model origin around 0,0. I find it is best to assign materials by object styles for AutoCAD Architecture styles (eg walls, doors etc). It doesn't matter what they look like at this stage it's just to get a material assignment on objects that should have the same material.

2. Link it to Max using the standard file link manager, with normal settings but make sure you convert what ever units you are using to Meters on import. Also it's good to keep the scene material definitions on reload.

3. In Max you can add your camera, and if you wish a target spot to represent the sun location (although usually you can just get these sorted in Octane directly).

4. Export to Octane. The exporter for Max is fantastic, however I have found that I like to just export the OBJ (without pushing the render button). There may be a better way to do this but I find I need to change the export settings to triangles, and particularly untick all the options regarding reorientation of normals and so forth as this tends to create problems for my models (and you may find the same).

5. Once in Octane, it's all well documented elsewhere but the executive summary is this: click on teh obj mesh node, look through your materials, for glass just change the the material type to specular, make the first two materials float textures and slide them to white. Change the ground to diffuse, and play with some glossy on the walls etc. change the environment to a nice HDRI for some good reflections and interesting lighting.

Change to path-tracing, up the resolution, select a nice camera model then badabing => you have an architectural rendering that you can sell and pay for your Octane license and have some money left over for beer or whatever.

[enricocerica]

Hi Erik,

Finally ! Nice to see some of your work in the gallery.
Good result and useful workflow.