Creating 3D models and scenes is an exciting and rewarding experience, but it's not complete without realistic lighting and textures. Whether you're creating a 3D web view, VR experience, game, or 3D PDF, baking lights and textures is a widely-used technique that can give your work a realistic look. In this article, we'll discuss how to use texture and light baking to enhance the quality of your 3D scenes and models on all devices with SimLab Composer.
Enrich your CAD models with 3D renderings and realistic images
Generating 3D renderings from CAD models is an important process in many industries, such as architecture, product design, engineering, and animation. Computer Aided Design (CAD) models are precise digital representations of objects or environments that allow a three-dimensional visualization of the final object.
To generate a 3D rendering from a CAD model, it is necessary to use 3D rendering software. This software uses CAD model data to create a 3D image or video, taking into account the light, color and texture properties of the object. The 3D rendering is only a visual representation of the CAD model. It cannot be used to measure precise object dimensions or perform motion simulations. Engineers and designers often use 3D renderings to communicate their vision to their clients or team.
3D rendering software often uses complex algorithms to simulate the interactions of light with objects in the environment, thereby creating photorealistic images. They can also include advanced features such as motion, shadow, and reflection simulation. Using textures and light baking is also an important part of 3D render generation. Textures can be applied to the surfaces of objects to provide more detail and a realistic appearance. Light baking is a process that bakes shadows and reflections into the CAD model, which can significantly improve the quality of the final image.
In addition to traditional 3D renderings, 3D rendering software can also generate 360 degree images that allow for immersive viewing of the object or environment. 360 images are particularly useful for architectural projects, as they allow users to move virtually inside the environment.
By using textures and light baking, engineers and designers can create even more realistic 3D renderings that can be used to communicate their vision and make compelling presentations. 360 images also add an extra dimension to viewing by allowing users to virtually walk around inside the environment.
In conclusion, the generation of 3D rendering from CAD models is an important process in many sectors that allows to visualize objects or environments in 3D. 3D rendering software uses CAD model data to create photorealistic images, which helps engineers and designers communicate their vision. Although the 3D rendering generation process can be time consuming, it is essential for understanding the visual aspects of the CAD model.
CAD Interop offers several solutions to address these issues and generation of 3D renderings:
Generate 3D renderings directly from your CAD data with 3DViewStation.
Create photorealistic representations, 360 and 360 Grid images with SimLab.
Rendering 360 images is an effective way to showcase 3D products, designs, buildings, and environments with an immersive view. However, finding the right software to create these images can be a challenge, especially if you're looking for a solution that offers superior image quality, advanced features, and ease of use. SimLab 360 technology is an ideal option for professionals who are looking to create single and multiple 360 images (or 360 Grids) with exceptional quality.
SimLab Composer is a premium 3D rendering tool that makes it easy to communicate your 3D designs with technical and non-technical users. This software is considered one of the most essential tools for 3D design professionals due to its ease of use and its ability to generate high-quality 3D renderings in a short time.
In addition to materials, textures are supported by 3DViewStation since version 2021 for viewing CAD models, parts and assemblies. The textures allow much more realistic renderings, especially for use in virtual reality and augmented reality. CAD data must be prepared: u, v coordinates must be applied and textures, usually external graphics files, must be assigned. 3DViewStation supports textures for reading formats: OBJ, FBX, GLB / GLTF, DAE, U3D, 3DVS, 3MF and export to the proprietary 3DVS format. Textures support for new import and export formats will be available soon.
