strangedj
2005-04-16, 12:00 PM
Hello All!
New to the forums, had a quick search for my problem, tried a few things and got nowhere.
I'm using AutoCAD 2005 and have constructed a 3D representation of a gas pipeline stopple arrangement (a section of pipe is diverted under pressure to carry out repairs or tie-in new pipe routes). The 3D model has been constructed using mainly revolved surfaces, but there are a few small solids in there (hand wheels on valves and wooden skid blocks).
I've set up viewports in paperspace, the main is a plan view of the mapping and route lines, in 2D, then there is a smaller viewport with an orbited view of the 3D model.
When I render the 3D model, I see jagged edges where there should be smooth curves, diamond patches where there should be fillets or weld-neck flanges, and the pipes look a bit gnarled too. I've changed FACETRES, ISOLINES, SURFTAB values, tried photo-real versus photo-raytrace, discarded back faces, had shadows on/off, I've exhausted all the different variables and still come up with a less than desirable finished render. I'm just wondering if there's anything obvious that I'm missing, or if any of you have found a set of shading/rendering/smoothness variables that produce good results every time?
There's a sample .jpg here: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/DJStrange/3DStoppleArrange.jpg
Sorry for the large picture, but if you zoom in to a valve or a bend, you can make out the poor quality I'm coming across.
Any help would be most appreciated.
New to the forums, had a quick search for my problem, tried a few things and got nowhere.
I'm using AutoCAD 2005 and have constructed a 3D representation of a gas pipeline stopple arrangement (a section of pipe is diverted under pressure to carry out repairs or tie-in new pipe routes). The 3D model has been constructed using mainly revolved surfaces, but there are a few small solids in there (hand wheels on valves and wooden skid blocks).
I've set up viewports in paperspace, the main is a plan view of the mapping and route lines, in 2D, then there is a smaller viewport with an orbited view of the 3D model.
When I render the 3D model, I see jagged edges where there should be smooth curves, diamond patches where there should be fillets or weld-neck flanges, and the pipes look a bit gnarled too. I've changed FACETRES, ISOLINES, SURFTAB values, tried photo-real versus photo-raytrace, discarded back faces, had shadows on/off, I've exhausted all the different variables and still come up with a less than desirable finished render. I'm just wondering if there's anything obvious that I'm missing, or if any of you have found a set of shading/rendering/smoothness variables that produce good results every time?
There's a sample .jpg here: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/DJStrange/3DStoppleArrange.jpg
Sorry for the large picture, but if you zoom in to a valve or a bend, you can make out the poor quality I'm coming across.
Any help would be most appreciated.