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"line" rendering

"line" rendering

"line" rendering

(OP)
We have a client who uses Maya for rendering, and some of the results are pretty good. Instead of it being photo-realistic, it looks like it was done with map-pencils (colored pencils).  The rendering looks something like this: http://woodcraftmagazine.com/images/articles/41/DrillPressDrawing-600.jpg  (I couldn't find an example at the moment).  Sketchup is a rendering program that gives similar results, but do any of you know how to get a similar effect in SW or Photoshop?  

Typically I have seen architectural renderings done like this.  I have found some Photoshop actions that claim to give this effect, but still no luck.  Any suggestions?

Oh yeah, we have Photoworks.

Flores
SW 2005 SP 4.0

RE: "line" rendering

I've done this sort of thing for patent drawings before (not shaded for patent drawings, but line weights and perspective were able to be used).

I can do this with the shading as well, but that's by making a contour rendering (just the lines) at a high resolution--importing to Photoshop, deleting the background, and coloring behind the lines.  Looks somewhat like the old-school industrial design technical renderings.

Let me know if you want improved details on how to do this--essentially, you want to be able to separate your background color (such as white) from you lines, then lay in color on a layer behind your lines in Photoshop.  I highly recommend using a tablet (such as Wacom) for doing so to prevent madness.


Jeff Mowry
www.industrialdesignhaus.com
Reality is no respecter of good intentions.

RE: "line" rendering

(OP)
I was really hoping for a plug-in or action for photoshop, being that I assume it would be quicker.  I found the gallery for Sketchup by the way: http://www.sketchup.com/?sid=17
I don't have access to a tablet, which may be a problem if I do it somewhat manually.

Flores
SW 2005 SP 4.0

RE: "line" rendering

Yeah, I've been looking for something like that to shad patent figures and for packaging diagrams, since the contour lines are often more clear in print than photorealism (depending on your print quality).

Maybe someone will post something more helpful?


Jeff Mowry
www.industrialdesignhaus.com
Reality is no respecter of good intentions.

RE: "line" rendering

You can do almost anything with photoshop and illustrator that you can do by hand. This sotware takes some time to learn, just like SW or any of the engineering programs.

A good "artist" or industrial designer is worth their weight in gold.

Wes C.

RE: "line" rendering

I just use my opaque projector and case of Design2 art markers, then scan to get a digital image.

A PS tutorials:
http://www.planetphotoshop.com/tutorials/alward77.html
Not exactly what you wanted...

"I think there is a world market for maybe five computers."
Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943.
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

RE: "line" rendering

By brother in law uses Photo SHop. He does this kind of stuff daily. He said it works well taking any pic from any software to create any effect.
But, to save it with a SolidWorks file, maybe create a new texture/material that has the look of pencil or crayon. Then on a dwg, shade the view.

Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 05 SP3.1 / PDMWorks 05
ctopher's home site (updated 06-21-05)
FAQ559-1100
FAQ559-716

RE: "line" rendering

This is called a toon shader in Maya its kind of like a cartoon plug in for animators but renders frame by frame as a cartoon would

there is a piece of software called Deep Exploration by Right Hemisphere which is cheap enough and will import solid.prt or sld.asm and it has an illustration plug in or module call it what you will

this will explode your assemblys and is basically for technical illustration without needing to be a rendering wizard its simple stuff for beginners

RE: "line" rendering

You can already get this look using Realview in shaded with edges mode (without any post-processing).  

RE: "line" rendering

(OP)
It's not quite the same though.  They are hard, sharp lines.  I found a few Photoshop actions that are sketch, cartoon, and caricature that I have played with.  These work best with "shaded with edges" jpegs better than photo renderings.  

For those unfamiliar with actions, they are macros which run through a several tools that modify an image, similar to macros made for SW. Some of these are a little easy to tweak, because the "coders" made them with prompts telling you what to modify.  

Flores
SW 2005 SP 4.0

RE: "line" rendering

Photoshop is great, but The Gimp is Free!!!! tons of plugins, grab em all. Its great for doctoring up your renderings.  

http://www.gimp.org/

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