2025-12-01 Interior Rendering in Twinmotion + 3D Floor Plan + Animation

Quick recap

The class discussed checkpoint grades and submission deadlines, with Brian confirming he would review all submissions by the 19th. A detailed tutorial was provided on animating buildings in Twinmotion, covering workflows from Revit to Twinmotion, material enhancements, and lighting setups. The conversation ended with discussions about design tools and workflows for architectural modeling, including Revit, SketchUp, and Twinmotion, along with announcements about final grades submission and an upcoming Building Information Modelling course.

Next steps

• All students: submit everything by the 19th

• Brian: go back and mark checkpoints 1 and 2 that haven't been graded yet

• Students: let Brian know if they don't see their ID or name in the grade records

• All students: complete the module survey using the link provided in the chat and mirror board

• Students missing from today's class: fill out the module survey as well

• Brian: submit final grades after the 19th deadline

Summary

Checkpoint Grades and Twinmotion Tutorial

The class discussed the status of checkpoint grades, with Brian confirming that he would review and mark all submissions by the 19th, including earlier checkpoints that were not previously marked. The students were reminded to check their records for accuracy and to submit all work by the 19th to ensure grades are uploaded before the deadline. The class then focused on the tutorial for animating buildings in Twinmotion, which is required for the final checkpoint, and Brian explained the workflow for moving from Revit to Twinmotion, including exporting the unit as an IFC file.

SketchUp to Twinmotion Rendering

Brian demonstrated how to enhance architectural models by refining details in SketchUp before importing them into Twinmotion for rendering. He explained the importance of adding fine details to improve interior renderings and emphasized using a design board to guide these enhancements. Brian also covered how to set up lighting in Twinmotion, highlighting the need for three types of light: indirect, direct, and artificial. He showed how to synchronize views between SketchUp and Twinmotion and discussed the different rendering engines available in Twinmotion.

Twinmotion Lighting Setup Demonstration

Brian demonstrated how to set up lighting in Twinmotion, starting with adjusting exposure and environment settings. He showed how to add 3D grass and marble materials to the scene, and explained the difference between indirect and direct lighting. Brian also guided the process of adding artificial lights to match the design board, using recessed lights and adjusting their placement in the scene.

Enhancing 3D Kitchen Models

Brian Williams demonstrated how to modify and enhance a 3D kitchen model in Twinmotion, focusing on adjusting materials, lighting, and color schemes. He showed how to replace dark walls with a lighter color, add artificial spotlights, and implement light boosters to simulate daylight coming through windows. The session concluded with instructions on changing cabinet colors using plastic materials and adjusting their properties for a realistic finish.

3D Design Color Adjustment Tutorial

Brian demonstrated how to match and adjust colors in a 3D design project using ImageColorPicker.com and material properties in Twinmotion. He guided the team through applying and modifying materials for various elements including sinks, cabinets, windows, and appliances, making adjustments to achieve the desired color scheme. The team also replaced some models with higher detail versions and added interactive doors with customizable materials and behaviors.

Twinmotion Interior Rendering Techniques

Brian Williams demonstrated how to set up and render interior scenes in Twinmotion using both Lumen and Path Tracer rendering engines. He showed how to add and adjust lighting, materials, and decor elements, including shelves, plates, vases, and kitchen appliances. The tutorial covered creating multiple camera views with different focal lengths and depth of field settings, as well as adjusting HDR backdrops and environmental settings. Finally, Brian compared the results between Lumen and Path Tracer renders, noting that Path Tracer produces slightly more realistic reflections and transparency at the cost of longer rendering times.

3D Scene Rendering Techniques

The meeting focused on rendering and creating 3D scenes using Twinmotion and SketchUp. Brian explained the benefits of creating scenes in Twinmotion for output and added lights and objects from SketchUp for more options and detailed designs. He demonstrated how to generate drawings from SketchUp for construction documentation. The discussion also covered the requirements for a studio-based assignment, which includes a rendering, a plan, and a 3D floor plan of the kitchen area or the entire apartment. Brian noted that the assignment submission system was working, addressing a previous concern.

3D Floor Plan Lighting Techniques

Brian demonstrated how to create a 3D floor plan in Twinmotion by adjusting the camera perspective, changing the background to black, and adding ceiling lights to illuminate the space. He explained a trick using reverse faces in SketchUp to block sunlight from entering the building in the render. Brian showed how to balance the lighting, adjust shadows, and export the final render with a clean background using Windows' AI features.

Design Tools Workflow Demonstration

The meeting focused on a workflow demonstration using three design tools: Rivet for creating floor plans, SketchUp for adding details, and Twinmotion for realistic lighting and materials. Brian explained the process of generating a BIM model and detailed design elements, emphasizing the importance of choosing the right tool for each design phase. Students discussed their plans for the final project, with some opting for traditional hand-drawn methods, while others planned to use various software tools like Revit, SketchUp, and AutoCAD. The deadline for the final critique was confirmed for the following Friday.

Software Choices for Final Project

The team discussed their software choices for the final project, with most members planning to use Revit for floor plans and 3D views, while some will incorporate SketchUp for detailed renderings and Twinmotion for animations. Brian advised against getting trapped in Revit's detail-oriented features, recommending that students use SketchUp for more flexible modeling after creating basic forms in Revit. He demonstrated how to create a 360-degree animation in Twinmotion for Checkpoint 5, showing how to add and align video frames to capture the building from different angles.

Revit to SketchUp Design Workflow

Brian demonstrated how to render a video in Revit and export it as an IFC file to import into SketchUp for more flexible design modifications. He showed how to use SketchUp's tools to add character to a building design by manipulating walls, adding windows, and controlling line work. Brian emphasized that while Revit is suitable for construction documents, SketchUp offers more freedom for creative design exploration.

Architectural Modeling Tools and Workflows

The meeting focused on discussing design tools and workflows for architectural modeling. Brian explained the advantages of using Revit for initial architectural elements like walls and windows before transitioning to SketchUp for 3D modeling, though he noted that building from scratch in SketchUp is less efficient. The discussion also covered the evolution of the course's delivery methods, moving from in-person lab sessions to online learning due to students bringing their own laptops and the COVID-19 pandemic. The session concluded with an announcement about the final grades submission deadline of the 19th and an overview of the upcoming Building Information Modelling course, which will continue to build on Revit skills in an online format.

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