What's New in Chief Architect X16, Part 4 - Designers Show #131

designers show Jul 22, 2024

Welcome back to our blog series where we dive into the latest episodes of the Designers Show. In this final installment on Chief Architect X16's new features, Chief Experts and Designers Show regular hosts Robin, John, and Rene took us through some of the most advanced and exciting rendering techniques the software has to offer. Here’s a rundown of the highlights and our thoughts on the latest innovations.

Setting the Stage for Advanced Rendering

The episode kicked off with Robin and John greeting the audience and setting the agenda. They were joined by Rene, who brought his expertise to the table, focusing on the advanced rendering features of Chief Architect X16. The trio was enthusiastic about exploring HDR backdrops, lighting optimizations, and the new emissive and translucent materials. As usual, the hosts blended technical know-how with practical tips, ensuring viewers could follow along and apply the techniques to their projects.

HDR Backdrops: A Game Changer in Ambient Lighting

One of the standout segments was the deep dive into HDR backdrops. Unlike the old PNG backdrops, HDR images bring a higher range of color values, enhancing ambient lighting and overall visual quality. Rene demonstrated how to set up these backdrops, showing the immediate impact on lighting and color grading. The introduction of the 'move sun' tool and 'rotate spherical backdrop' tool also adds a new layer of control, allowing designers to adjust sunlight direction seamlessly.

Optimizing Lighting: Performance Meets Precision

Lighting can make or break a rendering, and this episode underscored its importance. The hosts shared invaluable tips on managing light sets for different rooms, which can significantly reduce slowdowns during rendering. By turning off unnecessary layers and objects, designers can streamline their workflow and boost performance. This segment was a goldmine for anyone dealing with large project files and high poly counts.

Handling Large Files and High Poly Counts

Speaking of large files, the hosts didn't shy away from tackling the beast of high poly counts. They provided practical advice on managing these counts, emphasizing the importance of efficient symbols and filtered searches on 3D Warehouse. The guideline on keeping poly counts manageable based on your GPU capabilities was particularly helpful. For example, knowing that a 3060 card starts slowing down at 1.3 million surfaces can help designers make informed decisions about their hardware and project scope.

Emissive Area Lighting: Adding Realistic Glow

The introduction of emissive area lighting was another highlight. This feature allows materials to emit light, adding a new dimension of realism to renderings. Rene demonstrated how to create and manage these emissive materials, adjust light intensity, and use the material eye dropper and rainbow baking tool. The ability to turn solids into light sources and manage them independently was nothing short of revolutionary.

Translucent Materials: Perfecting Light Dispersion

In the realm of materials, translucent options were explored in detail. The ability to adjust transmission roughness to control how light disperses through materials opens up new possibilities for realistic textures and effects. Rene showed examples of translucent shades, emphasizing how this feature can enhance interior shots by mimicking real-world light interactions.

Closing Remarks: The Path to Mastery

As the show wrapped up, the hosts hinted at future discussions on mixed material classes and other advanced topics. They also mentioned the possibility of moving some advanced courses to a paid subscription model, ensuring that those who seek deeper knowledge and expertise get the best value.

Take away

This episode of the Designers Show was a treasure trove of insights and practical advice. The new features in Chief Architect X16, particularly those related to rendering and lighting, are set to transform how designers create and visualize their projects. Whether you're a seasoned professional or a budding enthusiast, the techniques and tips shared in this episode are sure to elevate your work to new heights.

Stay tuned for more episodes and blog updates as we continue to explore the cutting-edge tools and trends in design software. And remember, the path to mastery is paved with continuous learning and experimentation. Happy designing!

Key Topics Covered:

Differences between old PNG backdrops and new HDR backdrops
Automatic exposure adjustments and scene lighting management
Creating and managing light sets for different rooms
Tips for handling large project files and reducing poly counts
Using AMD FidelityFX for improved performance on lower-end machines
Setting sample rates and understanding denoising
Creating emissive materials that emit light and adjusting light intensity
Working with translucent materials and controlling light dispersion
Advanced techniques for mixed material classes

Timestamps:

0:00 - Introduction and Greetings
0:39 - HDR Backdrops: Enhancing Ambient Lighting and Color Grading
8:47 - Rendering Techniques and Adjustments: Move Sun Tool and Exposure Settings
14:19 - Lighting and Performance Tips: Managing Light Sets and Reducing Slowdowns
23:25 - Managing Large Files and High Poly Counts: Tips for Better Performance
30:46 - Optimization Techniques: AMD FidelityFX and Sample Rates
44:51 - New Features in X16: Emissive Area Lighting
53:45 - Translucent Materials: Creating Realistic Light Dispersion
57:36 - Closing Remarks: Mixed Material Classes and Advanced Rendering

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