Board and Batten

[decorators3]

Hi

 

Most of my renderings are exterior . horizontal siding has different profiles that show well in PBR.. however Board and batten does not have any depth  so is  unrealistic .  I was watching a You Tube video that Rene Rabbitt put up but don't know what materials he used or how the saved it

 

So what is the best method to having a more realistic look for Board and Batten.. polylines? .. have to do a lot of cutting for windows and doors - takes time that I cant bill for

 

Any suggestions are welcome  

[Joe_Carrick]

I use another wall framing Layer (extreme exterior Layer) with 2.5" width x 3/4" thickness.  It will frame with a bottom plate \ double top plate, as well as headers an sill plates.  It actually creates very manageable edits - but works pretty well.

 

I've also used Wall Material Regions but there are edits needed with that method as well.

[decorators3]

32 minutes ago, Joe_Carrick said:

I use another wall framing Layer (extreme exterior Layer) with 2.5" width x 3/4" thickness.  It will frame with a bottom plate \ double top plate, as well as headers an sill plates.  It actually creates very manageable edits - but works pretty well.

 

I've also used Wall Material Regions but there are edits needed with that method as well.

will try for sure! thanks

[joey_martin]

I tend to use the material region tool. I create a batten and then muti-copy as needed all over the plan. 

[PitMan71]

1 minute ago, joey_martin said:

I tend to use the material region tool.

So you use the region to create the batten boards?

 

Thanks

[GeneDavis]

@PitMan71 material region is the preferred way and this has been discussed in earlier threads.  Do a search and find some.  Then try it yourself.

 

What is nice is that copy and repeat horizontally across an elevation places the battens quickly and trims them to gable lines and above and below all window and door openings.

[Joe_Carrick]

Yes, but you also need to use an exterior room molding polyline for the horizontal at the top and bottom.

[PitMan71]

Thanks!

[decorators3]

1 hour ago, joey_martin said:

I tend to use the material region tool. I create a batten and then muti-copy as needed all over the plan. 

I did  try it  looks amazing!  thanks

[Renerabbitt]

2 hours ago, Joe_Carrick said:

Yes, but you also need to use an exterior room molding polyline for the horizontal at the top and bottom.

 

[GeneDavis]

@Renerabbitthow'd you do dat?  Don't be the magician with secrets.

 

Your wall build included the top trim horizontal batten, and a base band.

[RobDesLLC]

I converted a wall cabinet into a batten. I created a wall type where the sheathing is a 1/4" sheet that represents a fibercement sheet product. The batten then snaps to the wall, and I adjust the height and positioning in an elevation view. I use the multiple copy tool to distribute battens across the wall, adjusting for windows and doors as needed. This results in battens with proper shadows in renderings, and I can estimate the material used for the battens as well. I have 2 example images below to illustrate it.

[decorators3]

22 minutes ago, RobDesLLC said:

I converted a wall cabinet into a batten. I created a wall type where the sheathing is a 1/4" sheet that represents a fibercement sheet product. The batten then snaps to the wall, and I adjust the height and positioning in an elevation view. I use the multiple copy tool to distribute battens across the wall, adjusting for windows and doors as needed. This results in battens with proper shadows in renderings, and I can estimate the material used for the battens as well. I have 2 example images below to illustrate it.

23 minutes ago, RobDesLLC said:

I converted a wall cabinet into a batten. I created a wall type where the sheathing is a 1/4" sheet that represents a fibercement sheet product. The batten then snaps to the wall, and I adjust the height and positioning in an elevation view. I use the multiple copy tool to distribute battens across the wall, adjusting for windows and doors as needed. This results in battens with proper shadows in renderings, and I can estimate the material used for the battens as well. I have 2 example images below to illustrate it.

WOW!! DID YOU USE ONLY CA FOR RENDERING

 

[RobDesLLC]

7 minutes ago, decorators3 said:

 

The first image is a 3D perspective in Chief Architect. The second is a rendering in Lumion. 

[decorators3]

45 minutes ago, RobDesLLC said:

The first image is a 3D perspective in Chief Architect. The second is a rendering in Lumion. 

I figured as much - didn't think it was rendered in CA.  is Lumion or twin motion worth the investment?

[Renerabbitt]

3 hours ago, RobDesLLC said:

I converted a wall cabinet into a batten

congrats on getting that done. it's a ton of work when comparing to the material region tool FYI. Hope this helps someone.

 

[RobDesLLC]

6 hours ago, decorators3 said:

I figured as much - didn't think it was rendered in CA.  is Lumion or twin motion worth the investment?

Yes. I have both. I use Lumion far more often for rendering images and videos, but I like the VR capability of TwinMotion, which Lumion lacks. 

[RobDesLLC]

4 hours ago, Renerabbitt said:

congrats on getting that done. it's a ton of work when comparing to the material region tool FYI. Hope this helps someone.

 

 

Thank you! I like your method. 

[jtcapa1]

I like the built in wall type with battens Rene.

How did you do that magic?

I already use your material region method but when I do, it gets messy with changes.

[decorators3]

16 hours ago, RobDesLLC said:

 

Thank you! I like your method. 

 

21 hours ago, Renerabbitt said:

congrats on getting that done. it's a ton of work when comparing to the material region tool FYI. Hope this helps someone.

 

I'm following your video and got it  as far as EXPLODE .polyline distribution  path. cant find explode in edit in 16  

[Renerabbitt]

1 hour ago, jtcapa1 said:

I like the built in wall type with battens Rene.

How did you do that magic?

I already use your material region method but when I do, it gets messy with changes.

It's a combination of layers of custom materials that are very time consuming to put together and custom pony walls and wall coverings:

[Renerabbitt]

2 minutes ago, decorators3 said:

 

I'm following your video and got it  as far as EXPLODE .polyline distribution  path. cant find explode in edit in 16  

you would have to have a polyline distribution path with objects loaded into it and you would have to have the distribution path selected for it to show up in your edit menu

[decorators3]

ok thanks

4 minutes ago, Renerabbitt said:

you would have to have a polyline distribution path with objects loaded into it and you would have to have the distribution path selected for it to show up in your edit menu

I see the batten in the polyline distribution path -  does this look correct?

[jtcapa1]

Rene,

I have been using your material region batten method from your video. Thank you.

Works great at first.

After massaging the plan, it will act up in that the material regions keep vanishing.

I have to turn off, then on, the material region for it to reappear again.

I have to do this every  time I make any change, or open or close any dialog while in 3d.

Is that just me?

[jtcapa1]

On 5/2/2025 at 7:18 AM, Joe_Carrick said:

I use another wall framing Layer (extreme exterior Layer) with 2.5" width x 3/4" thickness.  It will frame with a bottom plate \ double top plate, as well as headers an sill plates.  It actually creates very manageable edits - but works pretty well.

 

I've also used Wall Material Regions but there are edits needed with that method as well.

Joe can you elaborate a bit more on how you made a Wall Type with "extreme exterior Layer"... what the heck is that? and your width x thickness methodology? Sounds almost like you are drawing another wall right next to the existing, Whereas Rene's secret, magic, version is an actual wall type with the upper trim and lower trim.