TABLE OF CONTENTS Shading or rendering turns your three-dimensional model into a realistic (eyecatching) image. The AutoCAD SHADEMODE command allows you to produce quick, shaded models. However, the AutoCAD RENDER command gives you more control over the appearance of the final image. You can add lights and control lighting in your drawing and define the reflective qualities of surfaces in the drawing, making objects dull or shiny. You can create the rendered image of your 3D model entirely within AutoCAD. After completing this chapter, you will be able to do the following:
Manage Visual Styles
Render a 3D model
Create and modify lighting ambient light, distant light, point light, and spotlight
Add and modify the Sun as a source of light
Create and modify a material
Save an image
Create a walkthrough
AutoCAD 2007 provides a Visual Styles Manager to control the display of edges and shading of objects on the screen, primarily in 3D models. The collective settings can be saved in a Visual Style to be applied when needed. Effects are visible as soon as a visual style is applied or one of its settings is changed. The Visual Styles Manager displays sample images of the visual styles available in the drawing. The selected visual style in the Visual Style Manager is indicated by a yellow border, and its settings are displayed in the panel below the sample images. You can make the necessary changes to the settings for the selected image sample and then apply them...
