Chapter 17: Rendering and Animating 3D Drawings

Overview

 ACAD only      Just a few years ago, it took the power of a graphics workstation to create the kinds of images you will create in this chapter. Today, you can render not just a single image, but several hundred images to build computer animations. And with the explosion of game software, the Internet, and virtual reality, real-time walk-through sessions of 3D computer models are nearly as commonplace as word processors.

In this chapter, you'll learn how to use rendering tools in AutoCAD to produce rendered still images of your 3D models. With these tools, you can add materials, control lighting, and even add landscaping and people to your models. You also have control over the reflectance and transparency of objects, and you can add bitmap backgrounds to help set the mood.

Warning  

AutoCAD 2005 LT does not support any of the features described in this chapter.