mrscott

Thanks Graham. What is weird, and something I am only now noticing, is there is no texture file associated with my plan. Will investigate after I get this foundation project completed. Thanks again!

Very nice Larry the Cores do make a difference. Without the shadows is quicker. Did you have issues loading Graham's file (Texture missing)? I'm thinking I may have an issue with my settings. When I look in my user directory under CA I see no texture of zip files. (See attached)

Yes sir! It sure does. And to your point on Free time. I have so much to learn and big projects on the table. I just wish I wasn't so detail focused but this is a huge and complex program to master I want to do it right. You guys and gals on the forum a priceless resource I very much appreciate. Thanks for all your help!!!!

A few people have asked so here are a few stats and pictures. System specs are in my signature. Build cost $3500 ish

Okay, after running the RT and checking your settings I get what you are doing with the lights. I also noticed you changed the Sconce Fixtures from Point to Spot but have them off for your RT. I assume they were unnecessary so you left them off - correct? Attached I see how you made the Sconce appear illuminated without actually using a virtual light source (bulb). The shadows behind the sconce come from the ceiling spots and the wall illumination comes from the spot directly in front of the Sconce. The wide angle Spots shown on the second attachment are ceiling mounted at 134" -90 degrees so they point straight down, while the 4 point at the Sconces provide slight wall illumination behind each fixture. Very cool...nice looking image and all 10 passes in 1 minute, 48 seconds.

Graham, Without your texture and straight up Raytrace....

Graham, There is a missing textures in your file I do not have C:\Users\Graham\Documents\Chief Architect Premier X7 Data\Textures\Stainless Steel Library_Mick.zip#zip:Shiny Stainless.jpg which don't have. I searched and cannot locate it on my system so I can only assume it is a personal added Texture. Jon, "UDL" Lights? I assume you mean "Light sources"? If so, what type do you suggest, Point, Parallel...to create ambient right? When I display all light sources I see two Parallel Lights in the Riverstone MB. If I delete them and turn off the Sun the scene goes Black. This is good as now I am beginning to see how CA is lighting the scenes. I also understand that once I add a light the CA ambient light is muted significantly. Anyway, I just want to make sure I am applying your suggestions correctly. Thanks,

Graham, At the risk of beating this horse to death. I have tried everything I can think of and my image looks nothing like yours. I would very much appreciate it if you would share your settings for this one scene. I've done all of what you suggested (that I understand) but mainly turning off all lights. I changed all the bathroom lights to SPOT. My render times are great. currently but look at the image. Thanks, Some images to show my settings

It does make for a large number of choices but in the end I too think it will be worth the work. Most plans have similar uniquely configured so it makes perfect sense to have common attributes. Some subscribe to a much simpler method but I can't wrap my head around it. DSH has some early X4 videos on Annosets on ChiefTutor.com

Perry, Sounds like you and DSH are singing the same tune, and one I too am learning. From his video, Larry has done a lot of setup to position his Annosets for all his needs. One thing I am doing, right are wrong, is to make sure my annoset aatributes all have the correct setting s for CAD, Text, Callouts, etc. so when I am say on my 2nd floor framing annonset and want to create A CAD line it using a unique set of parameters with match layers. Probably overkill but it gives me complete flexibilty. 1st floor HVAC alll unique from the 2nd floor HVAC. Everything in it's place.

You should write a Rendering lesson! With all those adjustments I can't wait to see my system will do! I have think 24 cores at the same speed as your quad should really hum! I may write back for a few more tips. Forget stressing the system! Sounds like you unlocked the key to high speed quality raytracing! Thanks

Never setup "3D Spot Cameras". Hum!

No turning the plants and trees off!!!!! I noticed they were missing from the fence line.

I'm running mine now but is doesn't look as bright as yours. What are your RAY TRACE Setting in PREFERENCES? What lights do you have on and did you change something in the lighting? I have 24 cores running at 100% at 2.4 GHZ 32 GB of DDR4 ECC RAM GeForce 980 4 GB RAM ...not making the same rate as you so there must be something different in your settings.

Graham, What tweaks did you apply? The goal here is to determine the optimum settings in both CA and our respective Hardware to obtain maximum result. Post a screen capture before you stop the render so we can see the TIME, PASSES and SIZE from the bottom of the screen. Beautiful image!! Thanks,

I may have missed the concept behind this process and thus am not taking full advantage of the feature. The REF layer can me displayed by opening the object in layout and selecting "Plan View" option. Nice feature but I would just a well control it from the plan like some many other items. Logic here?

I've not delved into the PB and it use in my WF yet but plan to soon. I do use a boat load of ANNOSETS ( Thank you DSH) and love the flexibility they, and their specific Layer and Ref sets, other. I like to send the plan view to Layout with the REF set on and have the flexibility later to turn it off if I choose to do so but I cannot. Is this an issue, bug, lack of functionality or operator error (I'm suspect the latter) but thought I would ask. Thanks GUYS!

To level the playing field, and provide real-world hardware comparisons... Download the Riverstone plan from CA Use all default settings for that plan Position the camera in the masterbathroom at X:507, Y:425, X:0 Leave all Light as the default (168 on + Sun) Select Final View with Shadows Select Indoor- High Quality Raytrace Launch Assistant Retain Aspect Ratio Screen size 1781 x 805 300 DPI Lots of Focal Blur No Caustics Run for no more than 1 hour Post your Screenshot with Timecode at the bottom of the Screen. Cheers!

That is correct one hour and fortyfive minutes. Noctua NU14S are my CPU coolers

Graham, Have you tried rendering an image of that size and resolution? I actually think it was pretty good given the parameters. Rarely, if ever, would I render something that large, but if need be I could live with those numbers. Jon, what are your numbers?

I have so much to learn but listen to you all about ML begs the question..."is this in their scope for the future?"

1:45 to make 10 passes at your settings.

is that really realistic for plans? 3600 x 3600 at 300 DPI

Great idea Jon! I'll do it and post the layer parameters too. I heard somewhere to turn off everything anywhere that is not involved in the field of view to make faster render times.

Graeme, Thank you! I did too and all is fine. Dang Trees!!!