AutodeskVIZ 2008

Tutorial: Introduction

Cover image: Preliminary Tower Study, courtesy of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP with studioamd.

2007 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.This publication, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form, by any method, for any purpose.AUTODESK, INC., MAKES NO WARRANTY, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY IMPLIEDWARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE REGARDING THESE MATERIALS, AND MAKES SUCHMATERIALS AVAILABLE SOLELY ON AN "AS-IS" BASIS. IN NO EVENT SHALL AUTODESK, INC., BE LIABLE TO ANYONE FOR SPECIAL,COLLATERAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES IN CONNECTION WITH OR ARISING OUT OF PURCHASE OR USE OFTHESE MATERIALS. THE SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE LIABILITY TO AUTODESK, INC., REGARDLESS OF THE FORM OF ACTION, SHALL NOTEXCEED THE PURCHASE PRICE OF THE MATERIALS DESCRIBED HEREIN.

Autodesk, Inc., reserves the right to revise and improve its products as it sees fit. This publication describes the state of this product at the time of itspublication, and may not reflect the product at all times in the future.

The following are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., in the USA and other countries: 3DEC (design/logo), 3December,3December.com, 3ds Max, ActiveShapes, Actrix, ADI, Alias, Alias (swirl design/logo), AliasStudio, Alias|Wavefront (design/logo), ATC, AUGI,AutoCAD, AutoCAD Learning Assistance, AutoCAD LT, AutoCAD Simulator, AutoCAD SQL Extension, AutoCAD SQL Interface, Autodesk,Autodesk Envision, Autodesk Insight, Autodesk Intent, Autodesk Inventor, Autodesk Map, Autodesk MapGuide, Autodesk Streamline, AutoLISP,AutoSnap, AutoSketch, AutoTrack, Backdraft, Built with ObjectARX (logo), Burn, Buzzsaw, CAiCE, Can You Imagine, Character Studio, Cinestream,Civil 3D, Cleaner, Cleaner Central, ClearScale, Colour Warper, Combustion, Communication Specification, Constructware, Content Explorer,Create>whats>Next> (design/logo), Dancing Baby (image), DesignCenter, Design Doctor, Designers Toolkit, DesignKids, DesignProf, DesignServer,DesignStudio, Design|Studio (design/logo), Design Your World, Design Your World (design/logo), DWF, DWG, DWG (logo), DWG TrueConvert,DWG TrueView, DXF, EditDV, Education by Design, Extending the Design Team, FBX, Filmbox, FMDesktop, GDX Driver, Gmax, Heads-up Design,Heidi, HOOPS, HumanIK, i-drop, iMOUT, Incinerator, IntroDV, Kaydara, Kaydara (design/logo), LocationLogic, Lustre, Maya, Mechanical Desktop,MotionBuilder, ObjectARX, ObjectDBX, Open Reality, PolarSnap, PortfolioWall, Powered with Autodesk Technology, Productstream, ProjectPoint,Reactor, RealDWG, Real-time Roto, Render Queue, Revit, Showcase, SketchBook, StudioTools, Topobase, Toxik, Visual, Visual Bridge, VisualConstruction, Visual Drainage, Visual Hydro, Visual Landscape, Visual Roads, Visual Survey, Visual Syllabus, Visual Toolbox, Visual Tugboat,Visual LISP, Voice Reality, Volo, and Wiretap.

The following are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk Canada Co. in the USA and/or Canada and other countries: Backburner, Discreet,Fire, Flame, Flint, Frost, Inferno, Multi-Master Editing, River, Smoke, Sparks, Stone, Wire.

clothfx is a trademark of Size8 Software, Inc. mental ray is a registered trademark of mental images GmbH licensed for use by Autodesk, Inc. RE:Flex isa trademark of RE:Vision Effects, Inc. Intel is a registered trademark and the Intel Optimizer Logo is a trademark of Intel Corporation, used underlicense. Havok is a trademark or registered trademark of Havok.com, Inc. or its affiliates in the United States and/or in other countries. All other brandnames, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders.

Third-Party Software Credits and AttributionsOpenEXR Bitmap I/O Plugin 2003-2005 SplutterFish, LLC.OpenEXR 2003 Industrial Light and Magic a division of Lucas Digital Ltd. LLC.Zlib 1995-2003 Jean-loup Gaily and Mark Adler.HDRI Import created 2002 by SplutterFish and Cuncyt Ozdas.Portions Copyrighted 2000-2005 Size8 Software, Inc.Portions of this software are Copyright 1998-2004 Hybrid Graphics Limited.This product includes Radiance software (http://radsite.lbl.gov/) developed by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (http://www.lbl.gov/).The JPEG software is copyright 1991-1998, Thomas G. Lane. All Rights Reserved.Portions Copyrighted mental images GmbH 1989-2002.Portions Copyright IntegrityWare, Inc.; Npower Software LLC. All rights reserved.Portions Copyright 1991-1996 Arthur D. Applegate. All rights reserved.Lenzfx and Max R2 Copyright Digimation, Inc. All rights reserved.

GOVERNMENT USEUse, duplication, or disclosure by the U.S. Government is subject to restrictions as set forth in FAR 12.212 (Commercial Computer Software-RestrictedRights) and DFAR 227.7202 (Rights in Technical Data and Computer Software), as applicable.Published By: Autodesk, Inc.111 McInnis ParkwaySan Rafael, CA 94903, USA

intro

Welcome to Autodesk VIZ 2008

Welcome to the next generation of advancedvisualization software, Autodesk VIZ 2008.

Autodesk VIZ is the leading 3D-visualizationsoftware available today. With it, you can createstunningly realistic images and animations to suityour specific visualization needs.

The principles of good design and artfulpresentation span a wide variety of designdisciplines, and Autodesk VIZ has been designed

to be a flexible partner wherever your imaginationleads you.

This collection of tutorials takes you through afew of the industries and applications that useAutodesk VIZ for advanced visualization. Theseindustries include architectural design, interiordesign, land planning, and product/mechanicaldesign.

With a direct link to AutoCAD andAutoCAD-based design solutions, Autodesk VIZoffers architects a unique tool for creating 3Drenderings of projects under development. 2D

Introduction to Autodesk VIZ 2008

For this web tutorial please find the Scene Files in \VIZ2008_Introduction instead of\tutorials. Download this folder using the following procedure:1. At www.autodesk.com/viz-tutorials click Scene Files under Introduction to

Autodesk VIZ 2008.2. Unzip the EXE file to your computer.

By default the \VIZ2008_Introduction folder is unzipped intoC:\VIZ2008_Scene_Files.

viii Introduction to Autodesk VIZ 2008

files are still a "must" for building plans, and theimproved File Linking system allows architects tolink to their 2D files and build 3D models fromthem. Architects also benefit from the flexibilityof the Autodesk VIZ Material Editor, advancedlighting, and animation tools. This providesnot only a powerful visualization tool, but ahigh-impact marketing tool as well.

Autodesk VIZ easily fits into the interior designindustry, giving interior designers the ability tocreate accurate textures and lighting schemeswith flexibility. Now interior designers have thefreedom to experiment with things like colorschemes, lighting styles, and scene arrangement.This software program allows interior designers towork closely with clients to refine the look and feelof a design, without making sacrifices.

Land planning also benefits from Autodesk VIZ.With the ability to import survey or otherelevation data from AutoCAD, land plannerscan previsualize land formations. Whether itsfor environmental use, land development, orlarge-scale construction, Autodesk VIZ has thepower to move mountains.

A highly refined and flexible modeler,Autodesk VIZ lets product/mechanical designerscreate images and animations of everything fromconcepts to the finished product. Advancedmodeling tools like NURBS offer designers theability to build and animate complex models forconceptual visualization and marketing. With thepower and flexibility of Autodesk VIZ, anyone cancreate stunning visualizations of their project orproduct.

Note: In this print version of theAutodesk VIZ 2008Tutorials, youll notice a number of instances ofunderlined text. These are links to topics in theAutodesk VIZ 2008 Help. Of course, these are notavailable from this printed book, but they do workproperly from the CHM version of the tutorials,available from the Help menu.

Where to Find Tutorial Files

Most of the tutorials in this volume require you toload sample files to start and complete the lessons.These files do not install automatically on yourlocal drive when you install Autodesk VIZ. Allthe files for these exercises can be found on theproduct disc. In order to do the tutorials, youmust manually copy the sample files from that disk

Fundamentals Tutorials ix

to your local hard drive using My Computer orWindows Explorer.

To install the tutorial files:

1. Locate your product disc: the disc from whichyou installed Autodesk VIZ. Place in yourcomputers drive.

2. Open My Computer or Windows Explorer, andnavigate to the disc.

3. Copy the \tutorials folder.

4. Navigate to your installation of Autodesk VIZand paste the folder.

Now you have a program files\autodesk\viz2008\tutorials folder on your local drive.

Tip: If you have limited hard drive space, youcan copy individual directories from the disk.

Fundamentals Tutorials

Here are tutorials to teach you the basics of usingAutodesk VIZ. You will find tutorials here thatintroduce you to the interface and get you startedworking with the program. There are tutorialshere for the experienced user to show you what isnew in the latest release. And there are tutorialsto teach you the fundamentals of modeling,materials, lighting, rendering and animation.

Tip: Due to the technical nature of the subjectmatter, some of the language used in thisdocument might seem a bit obscure, but stick withit and youll soon be spouting off about splines andmeshes with the best of them. If you do encounteran unfamiliar term, try looking it up in theGlossary section of the program User Reference.And if you still cant find it, please send us a notevia the Comments link at the bottom of every topicin this document and in the User Reference.

Getting to Know the User Interface

If youre brand new to 3D and Autodesk VIZ,follow this quick and easy introduction to theprogram user interface:

Getting to Know the Autodesk VIZ Interface (page1)

Getting Started Tutorial

The first tutorial provides some easy lessons to letyou get a quick experience in viewport navigation,object creation and animation.

Modeling a Revolving Door (page 11)

In this tutorial you will learn to model and animatein Autodesk VIZ. You will create a revolving doorfor a hotel entrance.

New Tutorials

Following is a list of new tutorials for AutodeskVIZ2008:

Interior Architecture Rendering Tutorial (page253)

Creating a Photorealistic Walkthrough UsingAutoCAD and Autodesk VIZ (page 473)

Modeling Tutorials

These tutorials teach many modeling techniquesin Autodesk VIZ.

Building an Architectural Model from a ConceptSketch (page 35)

x Introduction to Autodesk VIZ 2008

In this tutorial, you will use an architecturalplan as the basis for a 3D model. You will addbuildings, columns, and other elements to themodel, then perform a shadow study with thescene.

2D plan for architectural model

Modeling a Chess Set (page 54)

In this series of lessons, you will learn to createobjects using a variety of techniques. Youllmodel the pawn by creating a 2D spline andapplying a Lathe modifier. The bishop and rookare created with soft selection and Booleans.Modeling the knight will teach you to modelusing splines and surface modifiers.

Model a chess set.

Lofting a Telephone (page 81)

In this tutorial you will create a retro-styletelephone while learning to use Loft compoundobjects.

Materials and Mapping Tutorials

In these tutorials you will learn the fundamentalsof creating and applying materials. Youll learnabout using standard and architectural materials,blend and multi/sub-object materials, as well asthe UVW Map Modifier. Tutorials include:

Materials for Interior Scenes (page 179)

In these lessons you will learn to design andedit materials using the Material Editor. You

Fundamentals Tutorials xi

will create standard materials and architecturalmaterials, multi/sub-object and blend materialsas well. You will also use the Asset Browser tofind textures, and use the UVW Map modifierto adjust tiling.

Lighting Tutorials

In these tutorials you are introduced to the toolsand concepts of using lights in Autodesk VIZ.Tutorials include:

Creating and Importing Lights (page 220)

Rendering for Architecture Using Radiosity (page235)

Using Radiosity with Standard Lights (page 251)

Managing Multiple Lights (page 227)

Choosing a Shadow Type (page 230)

Rendering Tutorials

Youll learn the fundamentals of rendering in thesetutorials. Here you will learn about:

Rendering Still Images (page 313)

In this tutorial you will learn some of thedifferent ways you can use Autodesk VIZ torender.

Rendering an Animation (page 391)

In this tutorial you will learn to render ananimation to a sequence of still images, thenassemble them into a movie using the RAMPlayer.

Network Rendering (page 323)

Here you will learn how to perform networkrendering.

xii Introduction to Autodesk VIZ 2008

High-Resolution Renderings and Backgrounds(page 325)

This tutorial teaches you how to renderhigh-resolution images. You will use aphotograph as a background and use theCamera Match Utility to align the camera withthe photograph.

Rendering a Panorama (page 342)

In this tutorial you will render a 3D panoramaand view it interactively using the PanoramaExporter Viewer.

Animation Tutorials

The tutorials that teach basic animation techniqueinclude:

Animating with Set Key (page 347)

In this tutorial you will animate a chess gameusing the Set Key animation method.

Animating with Auto Key (page 353)

Here you will learn to animate using the AutoKey method.

Controlling In-Betweens (page 356)

In this lesson you will use ghosting and thecurve editor with interactive update.

Out of Range Types (page 358)

Here you will learn to loop an animation.

Animating with Dummy Objects (page 359)

Here you will learn to create linkage andanimate using dummy objects.

Using Dope Sheet Mode (page 365)

Here you will learn to use the Dope Sheet Editorto scale animations and reverse time.

Professional Tutorials xiii

Using Weighted List Controllers (page 366)

Using the example of a table tennis game youwill learn to use weighted list controllers.

The tutorials on Animation for ArchitecturalVisualization include:

Animating the Camera (page 374)

In this tutorial you will create a camera andanimate it to create a looping flyaround.

Creating a Walkthrough (page 380)

Here you will learn different techniques to fly acamera through the interior of a house.

Creating an Animated Shadow Study (page 388)

Here you will create animated shadow studyof a cityscape.

Professional Tutorials

Here you will find a set of tutorials aimedspecifically at the design visualization professional.In this collection of lessons you will learnthe details of using Autodesk VIZ 2008 forarchitectural , industrial or mechanical design.Much attention is devoted to working withfiles from CAD programs such as AutoCADArchitecture and AutoCAD.

xiv Introduction to Autodesk VIZ 2008

Tutorials for Design VisualizationProfessionals

Tutorials for design professionals include:

Working with AutoCAD Files (page 429)

Prepare an AutoCAD drawing for import intoAutodesk VIZ.

Working with the Layer Manager (page 451)

Create new layers, change properties, and turnoff a group of lights with the Layer Manager.

Using File Link with AutoCAD Drawings (page453)

Save modeling time with File Link Manager.

Fixing Problems in CADModels (page 460)

Tutorials on using AutoCAD Architecture filesinclude:

Managing AutoCAD Architecture Data inAutodesk VIZ (page 499)

Use substitution to replace AutoCADArchitecture blocks with geometric objects.

Sharing Materials with AutoCAD Architecture(page 506)

Assign materials, edit style definitions, and useFile Link Manager to work with materials.

Tutorials for Land Planning include:

Site Planning (page 531)

Create a terrain based on actual site informationand then create a conceptual design for theMarin County Civic Center using a variety ofmodeling techniques. This tutorial is basedon Frank Lloyd Wrights last public buildingdesign.

Working with LandXMLModels (page 560)

Import two types of LandXML files and addmaterials and foliage to the model.

The tutorials onDetailing for Architecture include:

Interior Design and Exterior Presentation (page565)

Use the Asset Browser to add furniture to theinterior of a library. You also learn how to addfurniture with the Substitute modifier.

How to Learn Autodesk VIZ xv

Adding Foliage to an Outdoor Scene (page 571)

Use built-in Foliage objects to add 3D trees tothe exterior of the library.

Tutorials for Mechanical design and animationinclude:

Create a presentation of a automotivesuspension. The animation depicts the partsassembling over time. You then add narrationas a sound track using Track View.

Preparing a Luminaire Assembly (page 600)

Using the example of a light fixture, you set uphierarchies, inverse kinematics, and joint limits.Youll also learn about sliding joints.

How to Learn Autodesk VIZ

Besides the tutorials found in this collection, anumber of other resources are available to helpyou learn Autodesk VIZ.

xvi Introduction to Autodesk VIZ 2008

Autodesk VIZ 2008 Documentation Set

AAutodesk VIZ 2008 Help: The online referencecovers fundamental concepts and strategies forusing the product, as well as details about thefeatures of Autodesk VIZ. Also included is theBackburner reference, for network rendering.The Help is available online only.

Access the reference online by choosing Help> Autodesk VIZ Help.

MMAXScript Reference: Describes theMAXScript scripting language. This referenceis available online only. If youre newto MAXScript, check out the LearningMAXScript chapter there.

Access the MAXScript Reference by choosingHelp > MAXScript Reference.

mmental ray Documentation: The unifiedmental ray online documentation comprisesthree reference works: the mental ray Manual,with extensive information on the basicworkings of the mental ray rendering system;the mental ray Shader Reference, whichdescribes the collection of base, physics,and contour shaders for mental ray; andthe LumeTools Collection, which providesa wide range of tools and realistic naturaleffects for mental ray. Access the mental rayDocumentation from Help > Additional Help.

Autodesk Learning Resources

Links to the following Web sites are availablefrom the Help menu within Autodesk VIZ. Thesepages provide access to a wide range of productinformation and support resources: searchableKnowledgebase, FAQs, technical bulletins, testedhardware information, and product downloads.

OOnline Support

UUpdates

RResources

PPartners

Autodesk Training Information andResources

TTraining Resources on the Web: Youllfind training resources for Autodesk VIZ atwww.autodesk.com/viz-training.

AAutodesk Official Training Courseware:Official training courseware is availablefor many Autodesk products. To purchasetraining courseware, contact your localAutodesk Authorized Training Center(ATC) or reseller. For more information,contact your local Autodesk office or visitwww.autodesk.com/aotc.

AAutodesk Training Centers: The ATCnetwork, the premier training channel forAutodesk, offers short, industry-focusedcourses for beginning and advanced users.To find a training center near you, contactyour local Autodesk country office or visitwww.autodesk.com/atc.

Some of the above programs or contact detailsmight not be available or applicable in yourcountry. Please check with your local AutodeskAuthorized Reseller or Autodesk office for details.

Working with the Tutorials Online

You can run the online tutorials by going to theHelp menu on the Autodesk VIZ menu bar andchoosing Tutorials. This runs 3dsviz_t.chm, afile found in the program installation directory,within the \help folder. The tutorials appear ina window that floats on top of the Autodesk VIZuser interface. You can position this window like aTrack View horizontally across a row of viewports.Or you might prefer to resize the window so it is acolumn covering two viewports on the left or right.

This window always stays on top of the otherprogram windows. If it is blocking your view ofthe program interface, you can move it all the way

Working with the Tutorials Online xvii

left or right, leaving only a small slice or cornerof the window in view.

Alternatively, you can open this file directly fromthe Start menu or Windows Explorer, and thenuse Alt+Tab to switch between the tutorial andprogram windows.

If you have a dual-monitor system, you can seeboth the tutorials and the user interface in a largewindow at the same time by moving the tutorialswindow to the second display.

If you are running on a small monitor, it can be achallenge to find the real estate needed to see thetutorial and the viewports. One trick you can useis to change the viewport configuration to adaptfor this.

Suggested Viewport Layouts

You can also change your viewport layout toaccommodate the online tutorial window. Do thefollowing:

Configure your viewport layout:

1. Start Autodesk VIZ.

Click the Min/Max toggle button, near thebottom right corner of the program window, ifyou dont see four viewports.

2. Right-click a viewport label, such asPerspective, and choose Configure.

The Viewport Configuration dialog appears.Click the Layout tab.

3. Choose the viewport configuration that hasthree viewports on the right and one on the left.

4. Open the Tutorials window and resize it so itcovers half the large viewport.

You now have effectively five windows.

5. If you prefer, you can also choose a viewportconfiguration with three viewports above andone viewport below.

Displaying the Tutorials in a Viewport

Another alternative is to display the Help directlyin a viewport. This is not a regular feature ofAutodesk VIZ, but because this is a customizableprogram, there is a script that can do this.

Note: We provide this script as a convenience; it isnot a supported feature.

To display the tutorials in a viewport:

1. Using Windows Explorer or My Computercopy helpinvp.ms from the \tutorials\tutorialscripts\ folder on the program disc toscripts\maxscripttools\ folder in your localprogram installation.

2. Start Autodesk VIZ.

3. On the menu bar choose MAXScript > RunScript

4. Navigate to the folder you used in step 1, and,then click Open to run the script.

Running this script adds the Help in a Viewportfunctionality to the session.

5. On the menu bar choose Customize>Customize User Interface.

xviii Introduction to Autodesk VIZ 2008

The Customize User Interface dialog appears.

6. On the Keyboard Shortcuts tab click thedrop-down arrow next to Category. Scroll tothe bottom and find Web Tools. Click it, andchoose Help in Viewport.

7. Click in the Hot Key field then assign a hotkey.Any keystroke combination you press willappear. We suggest AALT+H.

8. Once the hotkey has been assigned, close thedialog using the X button at the upper rightcorner of the dialog.

9. Activate the left viewport, and press AALT+H.

A Floating tutorial window appears.

10. Right-click the Left viewport label and chooseViews > Extended > Help in Viewport.

The Welcome tutorials display in the viewport.Scroll down to the tutorials you wish to see andclick the link. That tutorial will display in theviewport.

Note: The Navigation pane is not available whenyou display tutorials in the viewport. Use theWelcome topic links to navigate to the tutorialyou wish to do. Right-click and choose Back toreturn to previous topics.

Printing the Tutorials

If your computer is connected to a printer, you canprint single Help topics or entire chapters.

To print a topic or chapter:

1. Open the online tutorials.

2. To print a topic or chapter, highlight the topicor chapter title and click the Print button at thetop of the Help display.

A dialog appears.

3. Choose to print only the selected topic, or toprint all topics in that chapter. After you makeyour selection, another dialog appears whereyou can choose your printer and other options.

The tabs available at the top of the dialogdepend on the selected printer.

4. Choose options for the print job, and click Printto begin printing.

User Showcase xix

User Showcase

In the Autodesk VIZ tutorials we teach you thetools to use the software. Put those tools in thehands of talented artists and magic happens.

Here is a gallery of images by creative individualsfrom around the world using this software. Wehope you find these images inspiring before youset out on your journey of learning Autodesk VIZ.

Image credit: Marc Heesterbeek

Image credit: Juan Altieri

Image credit: Akihiko Tarutani

Image credit: Juan Altieri

xx Introduction to Autodesk VIZ 2008

Image credit: Michael Munson

Image credit: Fermi Bertran

Image credit: Marc Heesterbeek

Image credit: Juan Altieri

User Showcase xxi

Image credit: Chen Qingfeng

Image credit: Yoshimasa Shimizu

All images are copyright. Reproduction anddistribution is not permitted without the ownerspermission.

For more examples of work done withAutodesk VIZ, visit the AutodeskVIZGallery.

xxii Introduction to Autodesk VIZ 2008