DH7777

Is there a set size/resolution I need to be looking for that will work nicely with an imported backdrop that can be used as a Spherical backdrop in walkthroughs? I know how to import backdrops that can be used but I don't like the limited stock "spherical" options CA offers. I need some more. I find panoramic pictures online and import them into chief and they end up being blurry distorted and huge! There has got to be a way to get more backdrops. Not regular backdrops...Spherical panoramic backdrops. Any suggestions or help with would be great.

Can anyone tell how I get XVID or any new codec to install into CA so I can choose it as an option when recording walkthroughs? I need to know the "path" I'm assuming because downloading XVID and installing it just puts in on my computer(somewhere) but not in CA. I'm lost here...

No sir I did not. I will though. thanks

Mick, I figured it needed to be installed after downloading but I'm just not sure how or where I do the install part to get it to show up in my codec options. It is downloaded on to my computer now though... Actually, I think I remember downloading it and it may have had and install step and I did that but if it installed it just went somewhere on my computer. I watched a youtuber and he made it sound as if you download and install and it automatically will appear in your CA ready to be used. That did not happen for me, unfortunately. I need it spelled out for me step by step I guess.

Sounds good thanks

I've heard about XVID and downloaded it but not sure how to get it to load into my options for a walkthrough codec in the drop-down menu. Am I supposed to put it in a specific file or folder? Cause it ain't there...

This looks great! I downloaded twinmotion the other day and I'm having a hard time with it. First, the materials are extremely limited. Not sure if it downloaded incorrectly or what but I was expecting lots of textures and materials. I went to get a lap siding and there was one to choose from and it did not resemble any lap siding we and most of America uses today (hard-board) It looked sort of like a bad cedar lap siding. Same with brick. there was only about eight to choose from and only one looked like a normal size brick (and I didn't like the look of it) Stone same issue... Are we supposed to import more materials to TM because I was starting to think now I know why its free, its not the full version? I am willing to be corrected I am probably not doing something write. Any advise would be great. I need a better way to make a rendering look real.

Roger that....Our company has just purchased x11 two weeks ago and I would think once it uploaded it would be up to date. I will research more to see if I need to update more or put a call into CA Thanks Rene!

I'm using x11 now. I used to use x7 and when I wanted to apply a bump map and adjust it, It was already in the material texture dialog, just check the box and adjust. I am totally confused on x11 because now when I get to this point there is no box to check just a Browse button. Am I now supposed to search for bump maps (that don't exist on my workstation)? I even see Normal map and Ambient Occlusion Map with Browse buttons. Same question and IF I can figure out what I'm browsing for on my computer I would love to know how these would affect or improve my ray traces.

Exterior or interior is there a way to adjust the intensity of how dark or light a shadow is without adjusting the position or the intensity/brightness of sun or lights? I know you can do this in other programs and it is very useful.

Is there a way to make the backdrop (that I set in default) rotate with the camera? Actually, to be specific, I want it to move with the recorded walkthrough camera. Looks really bad watching the playback and the house and terrain moving and the backdrop still...

hello.avi Hi, Does anyone know how I can adjust lighting, sun, and materials for a walkthrough? I seem to be able to accomplish this with still-frame pictures, 360 panoramic, Physically-based and ray tracing but I have yet figured out how to get the walkthrough recordings to not look dark etc. Thanks for any help with this.

Are you using Shop, pro or studio Sketchup and is Thea a free extension?

Yeah, I'm pretty sure I did create an account and then when I clicked download Epic Games installer/launcher my screen went white wit "Can't reach this site" or something like that.

These are amazing! You GOOD!!! This is what I need to accomplish. So all these are done in sketchup rendering? I used to use sketchup a lot but the free version handicaps me every time I try to do something I tried again to use it earlier. It always stops me and wants me to upgrade! I can't even import into this free version, there isn't even the option to import just export and all the files you would want to export ....upgrade!. You mentioned using "Free" SketchUp to access, I guess their rendering extensions? I'm pretty good at figuring things out but can you tell me step by step how to download SketchUp FREE, and then what? I thought I did sign up for free Sketchup but it's more like a playground to try it. I feel like I can't move my mouse without it wanting me to upgrade upgrade upgrade. The old version of free schetckup you can do a ton. Even download from 3D warehouse. it appears not anymore though. Do I download a certain rendering extension ( I saw twenty plus to choose from in the extension warehouse and some are not free). I'm lost.... I got a lot of money invested in CA and AutoCad, I can't afford another program to do what you just presented which is in my opinion VERY PROFESSIONAL WORK! Really impressed. Any help would be highly appreciated. I am not you competition as I am in Tennessee not California :-)

kwhitt, I tried to download Twinmotion to play with it myself and it keeps saying page not available. Not sure what's going on.

Renerabbitt, Thank you for the good news. One question...say for an exterior elevation view, do I just export that view with all my landscaping etc. as 3ds file and work with that picture or do I export the model and redo all materials in SketchUp? And also what about walkthroughs? Any luck or advice with that?

I can get pretty good realistic interior camera views. Chief needs to come up with a much better and easier way to achieve realistic exterior views ( I can get lighting and sun just right and then ray trace 10,000 passes and it doesn't look any different than 30 passes!!!). As expensive as this program is you should not have to purchase another expensive outside source program like "Lumion" to get nice exterior views. That said, is there a trick to getting none cartoon-like, fake-looking walkthroughs? Every walk through people post on youtube done in C.A. looks ridiculous... Please tell me I can accom plish realistic walkthroughs. I would even settle for my best exterior quality ray traces for my walkthroughs. Can you even ray trace walkthroughs or edit them to look better than what your model plan looks like in the workspace? Really frustrated with C.A. on this issue. We need quality renderings and walkthroughs at my company for many reasons. Lumion is awesome but it is $4000.00 and it is ONLY for taking your already designed plans from whatever program you created them in and then bringing them to life. Even examples of Sketchup's new rendering program makes C.A. look like it's still in kindergarten. Please help me please my boss!