2025-11-17 3DM - Chk 4&5 Exterior Visualization & Rendering

Quick recap

The meeting began with an announcement about the extended semester schedule and remaining tasks for the 3D modeling class, including a studio-based project with presentations and renderings due in November. Brian provided detailed instruction on checkpoint 3 deliverables in Revit, demonstrating various view management techniques and troubleshooting common software issues. The class concluded with discussions about checkpoint 4 requirements, Twinmotion rendering techniques, and upcoming class topics, while addressing individual student concerns about assignments and technical difficulties.

Next steps

• All students: Complete and submit Checkpoint 4 (Revit views and Twinmotion rendering) as demonstrated, ensuring all four required views are generated and submitted, with attention to creativity in display settings, by next class.

• All students: Ensure their Revit model is complete and submitted for Checkpoint 3 if not already done.

• Gavin: Troubleshoot Twinmotion import issue by exporting a simple wall from a blank Revit file and attempting to import it into Twinmotion; report results to Brian.

• Brian: Upload the class video recording to YouTube as soon as possible.

• Brian: Update and mark Activity 1 submissions, including Ansel's, during the next marking session.

• All students: Prepare for the next session by beginning work on interior design in Revit, including placing cabinets, furniture, and fixtures in the floor plan, in preparation for upcoming interior rendering and layout discussion.

• Brian: Gather and present tips for interior unit design for the next lecture session.

• Gavin: If Twinmotion import issue persists, try downloading an earlier version of Twinmotion and/or switching graphic hardware support to DirectX 11 as suggested by Brian.

Summary

Extended Semester 3D Modeling Update

The meeting began with an apology for the late start due to technical difficulties. Brian announced that the semester has been extended by two weeks to make up for lost time, bringing it close to the holidays. He discussed the remaining tasks for the 3D modeling class, including a studio-based project where students are working on concept design and floor plans, with a presentation scheduled for November 28th. Brian also mentioned that exterior and interior renderings would be covered in the next sessions, requiring students to have their models and floor plans ready.

Revit Deliverables and View Management

Brian helped Evelin troubleshoot her installation issues with Twinmotion, suggesting she uninstall it and focus on the Revit portion of the assignment. Brian then led a class discussion on checkpoint 3, explaining that students need to create four different deliverables in Revit: a rendering, an exploded view, an orthographic view, and a 3D perspective section. Brian demonstrated how to set up and manage different views in Revit, including hidden line, exploded, and perspective views.

Revit View Manipulation Techniques

Brian demonstrated how to manipulate views in Revit, including adjusting shadows, line weights, and sun angles. He showed how to customize visual styles and hide certain elements like level lines. Brian also explained how to switch between different view types and adjust perspective settings.

Checkpoint Submissions and View Templates

Brian explained the difference between checkpoint submissions, noting that checkpoint 3 requires a complete model, while checkpoints 4 and 5 focus on rendering styles. He demonstrated how to create and apply view templates, showing how to save and restore specific graphical settings. The group discussed technical issues with internet speed affecting video quality, but confirmed that the recording would be clear. Brian then guided participants through adjusting the perspective view by modifying the focal length using the view wheel.

Perspective View Manipulation Tutorial

Brian demonstrated how to manipulate the perspective view in a modeling software, explaining the use of the steering wheel tool for panning, orbiting, and zooming within the frame. He clarified that in perspective view, panning moves the entire frame rather than the building, and showed how to adjust the focal length to achieve a bird's eye view. Ansel encountered some initial difficulties but eventually found and enabled the necessary toolbar options after following Brian's guidance.

3D Model Viewing Techniques

Brian demonstrated how to adjust the focal length and create skewed views in a 3D model. He then showed how to create a perspective section view and an exploded view, explaining how to use the section box, hide elements, and manipulate objects using the Displace Elements tool. Brian also covered how to adjust visibility settings to improve the clarity of the exploded view by hiding trees and turning off class shadows.

AutoCAD Exploded Views Demonstration

Brian demonstrated how to create exploded views in AutoCAD, explaining that they don't affect other views and showing how to use trace lines to indicate the source of elements. He emphasized the importance of editing display settings like shadows and backgrounds for creativity, and advised students to explode buildings into reasonable chunks that don't obscure the view. Brian also clarified that perspective section views need to be cut in a way that informs about the building's structure, and showed how to switch between views using the view cube and rewind feature.

Revit View Control Techniques

Brian demonstrated how to control the view in Revit, focusing on using the steering wheel and focal length to adjust perspective without skewing the image. He explained how to reset a skewed view by right-clicking the view cube and selecting "Go to Home View." Brian also showed how to create photorealistic views in Revit by changing the graphic mode to Realistic, and mentioned that advanced methods for obtaining nice views in Revit would be covered later.

Revit to Twinmotion Export Tutorial

Brian demonstrated how to export a Revit model to Twinmotion using the manual method, which involves exporting an FBX file. He explained that for the exterior view, they would use this manual method, while for the interior rendering, they would use the LiveLink option. Brian also showed how to configure a view for exporting and hide certain elements before exporting. He mentioned that Twinmotion is a free standalone program and demonstrated how to download and launch it.

Twinmotion Interface and Model Import

Brian demonstrated the interface of Twinmotion, explaining how to activate and deactivate different menus and options. He showed how to import a model from Revit, both manually and using the Datasmith plugin. Brian also explained the difference between keeping the model's hierarchy and collapsing it into a single object. He mentioned that the Datasmith plugin functionality is included in Revit 2024, but users of Revit 2023 would need to download the plugin.

Model Import and Material Adjustment

Brian demonstrated two methods for importing models into Rivet: using a Datasmith file that carries materials, or an FBX file that doesn't carry materials. He explained that while the Datasmith file looks closer to the original, the FBX file is preferred as it clearly shows which materials are not applied correctly. Brian then showed how to apply and adjust materials in Rivet, including scaling and positioning them appropriately. Finally, he demonstrated how to export the updated model back to Twinmotion for further refinement.

Twinmotion Material Editing Demonstration

Brian demonstrated material editing in Twinmotion, showing how to modify colors, textures, and apply custom materials. Gavin encountered an issue where the program froze when trying to import FBX files, leading Brian to suggest trying the Datasmith export option to determine if the problem was with the FBX files or the program itself.

Photorealistic Rendering in Twinmotion

Brian demonstrated how to create a photorealistic rendering in Twinmotion using Revit, including adding environmental elements, adjusting camera settings, and exporting the final image. He explained the process of manually placing rocks and vegetation, using the populate tool, and adjusting the scene to achieve the desired look. Brian also showed how to save and export the rendered view in 4K resolution. Gavin encountered some technical difficulties with the software, but Brian provided a solution to try switching to DirectX 11.

Revit and Twinmotion Checkpoint Review

The class discussed checkpoint 4, which involves saving three views in Revit and one in Twinmotion, with Brian suggesting students spend an hour or two on it before the next class. Brian announced he would upload the class video to YouTube soon. He also introduced new features in Twinmotion, including 3D grass, and mentioned he would discuss interior design in the next class. Gavin reported issues with importing files into Twinmotion, and Brian offered to troubleshoot the problem. Ansel asked about the status of his first assignment grades, which Brian said he would update after marking checkpoint 3 submissions.

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