mrscott

Just a data point. And Sorry Nestor. I don't see the signature on my iPhone. 

Hey Glenn,

Thanks for responding. Should I be concerned about the duplicates? Chief usually adds a # to the second occurance when this happens but I saw two even three materials of the same exact name.

8 hours ago, SNestor said:

 

Scott - thanks for the compliments...but really, it's all trial and error.  That is why I don't do these too often...only when I have some time and feel like messing with Ray Tracing. 

 

Doing this Outdoor RT I have learned a few things...

 

- Seems to me the biggest factor in changing the brightness is the "Lighting" menu in the RT menu.  I have experimented...and to me somewhere between 3-4 is good.

- I have also experimented with the color of the sun light.  White is typical...but for this RT I have used a very soft "yellow".  A very light "blue" sunlight is good also.  Just depends on the backdrop and the colors on the house.  

- I also adjust the sunlight so that it shines on the house and creates the shadows I want.  I don't ever just use the standard "sun follows camera".  

- I've recently been experimenting with "focal blur".  If you put something in the foreground...and lower the F-Number...I used 1.4 in the attached RT...it will put some blur on things in the foreground...gives the RT a real "camera" feel.

 

I didn't use Photon Mapping...not sure what it is...but I think I tried it a few times and didn't like the way it looked.  

I don't know what "Ambient Occlusion" is...or how it really effects the RT.  For the attached RT I used 0.3 for the minimum and 1.0 for the maximum.  Whatever that means.

I also used "Enable Environment Light (Outside)"...intensity is set to 1.0 (which I think is the default?)

I also checked "Use Sky"...whatever that means.  Sounded logical for an exterior RT.

 

 

Dennis...thanks for the tips.  In the attached RT I changed the grass...changed the X and Y scale to 60x60.  Added a bump map.  Same for the brick...I added a bump map.  

 

- Just FYI...for the grass...all I did was copy the "texture" file into the "Bump Map" file field and added a "Height Multiplier"...in this case 0.03.  I did the same for the brick..but inverted the height multiplier.  I also adjusted the height of the plants to make them look a bit more "realistic".

 

These things really did improve the RT.  Thanks! 

    

 

 

You got a bump from me for including your settings. 

Thank you both! This is the kind of input that makes RT'g worthwhile. I haven't tried adding bump maps are adjust texture size but I can see where it is worth the effort. X9 is a nice step forward from previous versions but honestly I did not do much with RT'g in X5 - X7.

Question for both of you.

what CPU are you running and how long did the RT run?

thanks,

I created a new wall for an exterior shower by selecting it, copy, rename, and changed the attributes. All worked as planned until I went to change the materials. The short video below will show you the steps and the resulting issue.

Apparently I have several duplicate materials, some with the same name (which I don't see how this is possible) and would like to find item is using these duplicates and change them to clean up my file/plan. 

Thanks for your suggestions.

10 hours ago, SNestor said:

Believe me...I really no idea how to explain to anyone how to ray trace.  With me it's just trial and error.  I don't know how to create or use bump or normal maps...and I only use Chief.  But...I think a ray trace like the attached would be good enough to help sell a job to a client.  

 

I wish I knew more...but, ray tracing is time consuming and I only do these for my own enjoyment and training...or, if a client really needs something to help them understand a final design.

 

Here is one of my latest...all Chief.  Basic settings.  For me...I think adjusting the sunlight makes the biggest impact.  But...keep in mind, I don't know what I'm doing.

 

Nestor,

You are much too humble! This a very nice  RT. Lose the car though as it takes away from your work on the house. I really like the pop the shadow boards give to the fascia. The trim on the siding is also a nice touch.

is the sun the only adjustment you made from the default Outdoor RT? 

Jason,

Absolutely stunning for so few passes. Since this thread was start to help interested parties understand how best to maximize Chief's RT capabilities, we would all be better for it if you would be so kind and share your settings, textures, patterns, tricks, etc. used to produce these outstanding results. Also curious of your system specs. There seems to be a lot of interest in upgrading these days with GTX GPU and Intel CPU pricing falling.

Thanks again for sharing.

Perdy! Now, what does the framing plan look like?

Glenn,

Sorry if my post was confusing but It was based off of the Skype Session you and I had when creating a new dimension on one Anno/Layerset. You may recall the dimension defaulted to a different layer than what I set up in my Anno/LayerSet. I switched sets, changed levels, created a dimension and found it not the dimension I was expecting. 

Michael,

Your wall solution sounds similar some issues I am have creating my Anno/Layers (Annosets that trigger Layer sets methodology). What I think I am discovering ( through ignorant experimentation) is the default system is somewhat limited is how I am attempting to create my Anno/Layers. I wondering if Chief had the same flexibility with the Defaults that we have in the new Room defaults all these issues could be customized. 

Example: there is only one dimension defaults Setting regardless of how I create an Anno/Layer. No matter how many unique sets I create they they are all controlled by the single default setting so, When I attempt to use one of my new sets, I have to change the Default setting at that time to realize the attributes I set in the Anno/Layer thereby adding an additional step and making my system somewhat worthless ( speed and efficency) and Similar to how I have to change the level when choosing my Anno/Layer. If I have an A3 Floor Plan Anno/Layer (with a unique dimension, arrow and text style). Then change to A3 Floor Plan electrical, the attributes do not change unless I change the Defaults too. 

If all all this sounds confusing it because 1) I don't fully understand how Chief works and have not set it up correctly; or 2) my Hypothisis is correct.

This is why I suggested to Scott Hall, Perry, et al, on the Cabinet Webinar we do a Webinar focusing on the Anno/Layer and SAM system methodology and work through the issues I, and others are having. A real-time brainstorming session may reveal how best to configure such a system or reveal limitation in Chief that could be corrected.

I very much want to succeed in creating this process so please, everyone chime in if this thread has merit worth further exploration or suggests and described the steps for an alternative work flow.

Respecfully, 

Any Nvidia GTX 900 or better series card with at least 4GB of ram should be fine. Like anything computer, get the best you can afford because there will be a newer version within 12 to 18 months. 

My GTX 980SC (Superclocked) runs 3 24" monitors gust fine.

Guys,

This may be a dumb question but I'll risk it. There's almost nothing one cannot do in Chief if you get into p-line solids. I've done a few things and it really is cool. Although Sketchup is much more intuitive to model in the 3D, Chief is geared more for designing houses right out of the box than Sketchup. My question is...How do you guys illustrate the construction of something like a Cupola or any other structural element, if it is modeled in a p-line solid? 

Thanks,

To those who use Multiple Annosets linked to Layer sets and or simply like things there own way, please help me figure out what is happening here.

Here is how I like to work.

A3 FLOOR PLAN GROUND (ANNO AND LAYER SET) LEVEL 0

I want every setting controllable through the ANNOSET to be unique. It may not make sense to you but it does to me. If someone can teach me a better way I am all ears but all the videos I watch skip too much detail for me to fully grasp. So, I want to have a unique Annoset which Triggers the Layerset for EVERY LEVEL or critical element ( you will see it my plan) so there is no question what is where and why. Fortunately, due to workload, I have not had the time to completely configure my SAM and all the trimmings as I would like. Then I get this kind of issue...

I created Auto Exterior Dimensions on Level 1 only to discover they are not formatted correctly. "I thought I had them on them setup in my Annosets the same for each level." What is really perplexing is I cannot delete them. The video may help explain.

Any and all help appreciated.

Thanks,

JW_SIDG1.zip

2 hours ago, jonboy112352 said:

The one thing in standard turning off but then why in the RT are others off?

 

I am not up on that ...I would have a better chance of doing brain surgery than understanding CPU and so on.... maybe this may help

Thanks Scott

Not sure I understand you question. Call me on Skype if you want to discuss. MrScott _

Ryan,

Thanks! That is exactly the information I was looking for. My the only issue I have with my current workstation setup is...I always work with both a 3D View and Plan open. Using my 3D Connexion mouse to fly around. After awhile the 3D view gets jerky. The only way to correct is to close the 3D view and reopen.

1 hour ago, jcaffee said:

What Dennis said.  Upper-end Quadro cards, but then you lose performance in other areas.

Jon, do you have  particular Quadro card in mind? I'm thinking an older model (cheaper than a new one). Would it be better than the Nvidia GTX 980 w/ 4G of ram? Just curious your thoughts.

Thanks Jon. My GTX 980 is just fine. I almost bought the TitanX but there reviews were not that stellar for the price difference. Perhaps CA takes advantage of the Titan where my 980 is lacking. I have Lumion 6.0 pro but have not had much time to explore it. Used it on a commercial project last year for one scene. At least it paid for itself but not much demand on the Residential world. Do you use Lumion? 

Quick off topic question. I adjusted an upper and lower cabinet in a plan and would like to update ALL other cabinets in the plan to this new config. I seem to recall using the Object Dropper to do this but it is not working. What am I missing? Thanks.

I'm not sure there is an need for more lights in the General Render views if RT handles all lights. The question I have is... 1) would a second GPU improve performance (discounting where or not it would have handle 16 lights or not), as I see a lot of gamers using 2 and sometimes 3 GPU's configured in SLI mode so essentially they act as a single Bad Ass GPU system.

Oh! One more thing. What's with the Santas? 

Jon, just one question. Do your clients pay for that level of detail or were you just having fun seeing what you could create? 

Thanks, but Jon did the magic. I just Ray Traced it. I need to run it on my laptop to get a comparison.-

Oh! Okay. He is a 59 Pass Screen Shot and a 60 Pass RT in TIFF format for you. A little over two hours to run 60 passes.

Jon's Kitchen RT.tif

3 hours ago, jcaffee said:

 

Here you go Scott, (or anybody else who wants to play with this.  It's in X9.  The camera is on floor 2, all set and ready to go with the lighting I used in the original shot.

20170219_JCC_RT133_Kitchen_RT_Setup.zip

Jon,

I'm RT'ing now at the setting you provided (no mods on my end). 2:09 min per pass. Will let it run until it looks clean. What format do you prefer?

6 minutes ago, TheKitchenAbode said:

 

Scott - check that the ambient occlusion minimum is set at 1.0, the shaded regions seem on the dark side.

 

Graham

Will do. Thanks. Did you also see my edit to this earlier post where I fixed the counter top edge and added a video?

16 hours ago, jonboy112352 said:

Take a look I though they turned out ok    a little bit more tweeeeekkking    thanks for the information specs big help  

Jonboy,

How did you apply the Beadboard to the island? Is it molding...? I've done it before just have a brain fade. Thx