We are often asked about the capability of CAD software to produce photo realistic images. Surprisingly, quite low cost CAD software can be used for this purpose. IntelliCAD, AutoCAD LT etc. can be used to produce some quite useful 3D images.

Example:

The image shown in the figure below was produced using low cost IntelliCAD - software which is normally used for general purpose 2D production CAD drafting rather tan 3D work.

Here we are using the ability of IntelliCAD to place entities in 3D space and to provide three different views of the one model - a plan view at the top left, an elevation view at the bottom right and an isometric view in the panel on the right.

The VPORTS command was used to generate 3 views of a three dimensional object - plan and front views on the left and ISO view on the right.

IntelliCAD is a clone of AutoCAD, perhaps the worlds best selling general purpose software. AutoCAD and IntelliCAD are mostly used to produce basic 2D line work, but with a little effort, they can be used to produce surprisingly sophisticated images.

Here is another example, This time of a table tennis table.

Shading has been applied to the image on the right.

A third more unusual example:

The image shown in the figure below was again produced using IntelliCAD software.

This image was produced by taking the base scientific information about the precise location in space of parts of the molecule and creating what is called a drawing exchange file (DXF).

[The DXF file accurately described the position in space of different amino acid residues which are joined by peptide bonds to form a protein molecule. Together they (amino acid residues) make a protein molecule. In this protein (called Igf-1 - insulin like growth factor), there are 70 amino acid residues in total. The molecule acts as a hormone on numerous growth-promoting and metabolic activities.]

The DXF file was inserting into an empty IntelliCAD drawing. Coloured spheres represent different parts of the residues. 

Once the image was in the IntelliCAD drawing editor, the resultant (3D) wire frame model was rendered using a version of IntelliCAD which supports rendering. This version of IntelliCAD is often referred to as IntelliCAD Professional. A similar result could have been achieved using SketchUp software (see later).

 Creating 3D images - stages in the process - a metal work example

If you wanted a client to visualize (say) a container which was to be made from sheet metal, CAD software could construct a wire frame model of the container using standard CAD drawing tools (the LINE, ARC commands etc.) and then render it as in the examples above.

The images in the figures below show stages in the process of developing the model shown above.

Step 1. IntelliCAD's rectangle command was used to set a rectangle from 0,0 to 600,400 on a construction layer.

Step 2. I then set a vertical line at each corner to act as further construction lines for the later insertion of sides to the box.

Step 3. Next I inserted a box of size 600, 400, 2 (mm thick) for the base of the box.

The figure below shows the result when I applied a render. The base of the box shows clearly. In order to get this view, I set the lighting to spotlight, the material of the base plate to shiny metal and changed the background colour of the renderer to match the grey of the stainless steel.

Step 4. Then I changed the user coordinate system (UCS) to match one face of the box. This is shown below, then  inserted another thin cube 600x400x2mm thick along one side, using the construction lines for precise placement.

In the figure below, I have rotated the view, set all materials to shiny metal and rendered the scene.

 Next 4 posts were inserted on the bottom sheet of the box (using a block I called tube) at coordinates 150,100; 150,200; 450,100; 450,200. Again a render command showed the posts up quite nicely with appropriate reflections in the side panel. I do not particularly like the yellow colour in the side wall and might change the material on that face later to get a more realistic effect.

 The view above is an orthogonal view. The DVIEW command was then used to turn on perspective viewing. The result is shown below.

Imagine now that the design called for a block of resin 40mm by 200mm by 200mm inside the 4 posts. Again I could use the cube block and insert with the above scale factors. Assigning a different material to the new block gives a pleasing effect during the render as shown below.

 And there is more

Other software exist to take basic 3D CAD data produced in AutoCAD or IntelliCAD and apply much more sophisticated rendering.

One such example is SketchUp. It is possible to import CAD drawings in both the DWG or DXF format into the SketchUp environment and use the tools in SketchUp to communicate your design ideas in both 2D and 3D.

Here is another example of a small courtyard in which the data was passed from IntelliCAD to SketchUp. It is even possible to produce an accurate shadow map with SketchUp.

Partly finished model of a courtyard. Developed in AutoCAD and then passed to SketchUp for rendering.

Conclusion

Surface modellers such as AutoCAD and IntelliCAD can be used to create photo realistic models with good effect. As you have seen, it is really quite easy to create 2d geometry and then extrude any 2d entity in the Z direction. However, do make sure that you understand that these programs have limitations.

If you want to calculate mass properties, use a hole boring tool to punch holes in cubes of metal then you really need a solid modelling program - AutoCAD Mechanical Desktop, ProEngineer, IronCAD, Solidworks etc. These will cost much more than the wire frame surface mesh modellers discussed above, although there is a very good freeware tool called Blender which is well worth a look if you have an interest in this area.