Friday, December 28, 2012

Announcing nXtRender Multi-Platform

nXtRender Multi-Platform License

Includes Integration with AutoCAD, SketchUp and Revit - all at a single price.

IRender nXt, AccuRender nXt for AutoCAD, AccuRender nXt for Revit - get it all at one low price.

If you use two or more of the programs for 3D modelling, the Multi-Platform license is a good choice for purchase of the nXtRender Engine.

Special price until Mar 1, 2013: $699.00

 Check it out at: http://nxtrender.com/purchase/

Saturday, December 22, 2012

nXtRender - new name for IRender and AccuRender nXt

Render Plus is going to be "merging" the user interfaces and capabilities of the nXt Engine for three platforms - AutoCAD, Revit, and SketchUp. By working on all three platforms, we hope to make a better product for all platforms, and to make it easier for clients who use more than one platform or who want to move from one platform to another.

Roy will continue to work on the nXtRender Engine itself and we will work on the User Interfaces.

Check out the nXtRender Site for more information and to keep tabs on what we are up to.




Friday, December 21, 2012

IDReader - New IPad iPhone App developed by Render Plus

Now available on the Apps Store


Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls, 

Archon Apps is proud to announce that IDReader is now available as a free download on the Apple App Store.

Check it out!  IDReader


IDReader is a simple, easy id scanner application used to scan a variety of personal cards such as driver licenses from any state.

IDReader will use Optical Character Recognition and enable you to send the data in the license directly from your iphone or ipad.

Save time, money, and headaches with IDReader as a standalone app or within your existing app.


Use IDReader for:
  • Time saving input into forms (especially in our app Cirrus)
  • Imbed in your app for quick efficient input
  • Age Verification
  • Demographics Capture

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Rendering Tip - Transparent Objects

A look at how Index Refraction and Transparency Settings in IRender nXt affect Objects

 ======================



Recently a user on our forum asked: "I placed a semi-transparent shower curtain in my model, but it rendered like glass. What can I do to fix this?"

The reason semi-transparent, “soft” objects do this is because IRender nXt, by default, treats all transparent objects in SketchUp as glass which reflects light while distorting objects behind the glass. Most transparent objects in SketchUp models are glass, so the default is to render them as such. There would be a similar problem with semi-transparent drapes, or other transparent objects that are not glass.

Though, there are ways to reduce or eliminate this effect by lowering the Index of Refraction to 1.0. (The Index of Refraction determines how much the light and appearance of objects behind the glass are distorted when passing through the glass.) The solution is to right click on the material in SketchUp, load the “Edit Material Wizard” and set the  Index of Refraction for the object to 1.0. (A vacuum is defined as having in Index of Refraction of 1.0)


 More on Glass and Transparency 


There are numerous settings you can make for different kinds of glass. You can view them all at Transparency Settings. Here are a couple of the most important:

Thin and Thick:
  • All glass in the real world has thickness, but often SketchUp modelers will represent it with a single face rather than two faces with a separation or a Rectangular Cuboid. If you create thick glass in SketchUp you should right click on the material and set it to “thick” so you know how to render it properly.
  • Here are two glass objects - One marked, (properly), as “thick”, and the other left as “thin” glass.


 Here are some standard values you can use for other materials:

  • Ice – 1.31 
  • Water – 1.33 
  • Acrylic Glass – 1.49 
  • Flint Glass (Pure) – 1.60 
  • Sapphire – 1.76 
  • Diamond – 2.42 

(See also:  Refraction)

Translucency: 

  • Translucency is a form of Transparency where the light passes through a material, but you cannot see through the material. Note in the image that light from the lamp inside the translucent shade illuminates the wall. But the shade itself is not transparent.


See also: Translucency



Wednesday, December 12, 2012

SketchUp 3D Basecamp - 2012

SketchUp has posted the videos from this years 3D Basecamp in Boulder.

Here is the introductory Video by Aidan:
I think you will enjoy his overview about what is going on in the SketchUp world.


Here is an extract from the Rendering Vendor Presentation for IRender nXt:
This shows a quick overview of some of the new features in IRender nXt 5.0



Tuesday, December 11, 2012

IRender nXt 5.0 Make great renders, faster.

 


Render Plus systems announces the release of IRender nXt 5.0 for Trimble SketchUp.

IRender nXt is a powerful plugin for rendering high-resolution images right inside SketchUp. IRender nXt is fully-integrated with Sketch Up materials, lighting, and components for complete control of interior, exterior, daytime or night-time scenes.

IRender nXt 5.0 makes it easier for designers to build render-ready SketchUp models and quickly fine-tune render settings. Version 5.0 is all about improving the rendering workflow and adding simple, powerful controls for important render settings. IRender nXt 5.0  helps you make great renders, faster.

 

IRender nXt 5.0 - Feature Highlights


IRender Ready Lights, Mirrors, and Trees

A Trimble 3D Warehouse collection of objects, such as light fixtures, which have lights placed in them so they can be used directly with IRender.

Background / Layer Wizard

Making it easy to position your rendered model in a background and retrieve the settings for future renderings.

Lights Query and Edit Wizard

Making it easy to find, examine, and edit the artificial lights placed in your SketchUp Model for rendering with IRender nXt

Rotate View While Rendering

Let’s you change the view and zoom after rendering and re-render without having to change the view in SketchUp. 

HDRi Lighting Preset

Five lighting presets which make it easy to set lighting without having to set individual values. 

Sample Models and Renderings

Downloadable models from our 3D Warehouse use to get started quickly with advanced lighting and rendering settings. 

More Valuable Features 

IRender nXt 5.0 is loaded with another10 newfeatures that include an improved slider bar for HDRi rotations and the ability to store Background images in the SketchUp model for portability. Each feature is easy to use, easy to find, and speeds up renderings to increase your productivity.

Download, Purchase or Renew.

The release is free if you have purchased IRender nXt within the past 12 months. Save time and speed up your work flow. Download NOW. If your license has expired, now is the time to PURCHASE or UPGRADE to IRender nXt 5.0.

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Mutli-Pass Rendering Technology with nXtRender

This video, taken from a Webinar for the nXtRender/IRender/AccuRender nXt Engine explains some of the advantages of multi-pass rendering.


Multi Pass rendering lets you quickly see what your rendering is going to look like - after the first few passes - and the either change settings, or let the rendering continue go get better.

In this video Scott Davidson shows you how multi-pass rendering works for nXtRender for AutoCAD, Revit or SketchUp.

See the full Webinar Here

Saturday, December 1, 2012

New Dealer in the United Kingdom

Render Plus is proud to announce our newest dealer for IRender nXt and other products - Cad Software Direct.



Many of our international customers prefer to purchase products from a locad dealer who can handle the local currencies better and VAT or other similar taxes.

Check out our Dealers Page to find the dealer closest to you.