SoftPlan 2018 New Features: 3D

3Dconnexion Mouse

“Speed State” flag added to control the speed, fast vs. slow

3D Preview

SoftPlan 2018 lets you see the immediate in-model results of your design decisions while drawing and editing floor plans and other project drawings.

As you modify a model drawing, the 3D Preview window updates to show those changes in SoftPlan’s rich Shaded mode.

Basic mouse and keyboard camera controls can be used to quickly review the three-dimensional appearance of your work.

Camera Change

Camera position changes prompt Save on exit.

Electrical Symbol

Light Decay value now expresses the distance over which the light value falls to zero.

2018_3D_light_decay

Move

Center in Room command added to 3D.

Great for getting light fixtures and furnishings into the correct location.

2018_move_center_in_room_3D

Openings

Opening Frame material can be a different color on the inside of the opening vs. the outside.

Threshold displays in 3D.

2018_opening_threshold

Trim separated into different material types for wood, vinyl, cast and stucco.

2018_Opening_Trim_Type

Paint

.ACO file support added to Paint Swatches. 

This format may be used by some paint manufacturers to supply their paint colors.

Path Trace Rendering

SoftPlan employs a technique called Ray Tracing to display how light sources directly interact with objects in the 3D model. While the Ray Tracing method is a relatively quick way to produce attractive 3D images, it can only approximate the indirect lighting that is produced from a more advanced lighting technique called Path Tracing.

SoftPlan 2018 adds Path Tracing to SoftPlan’s rendering capabilities which will allow you to produce the best looking 3D imagery yet.

The Path Tracing technique calculates the paths light rays travel as they bounce from point to point on the model until the light energy ultimately dissipates. As you let the Path Tracing process work, the image looks progressively better over time.

The biggest advantage of Path Trace Rendering is that the lighting setup is so much easier.

The resulting indirect lighting, blended with the direct lighting of the Ray Tracing, creates warmer, softer 3D images that will bring an unprecedented level of realism to your models, animations, and final renderings.

Charles_Ellen_House_path_trace

Charles_Ellen_House_path_trace_front_elevation

Charles_Ellen_House_path_trace_side_elevation

Photon Mapping

Photon mapping has been improved to provide both direct and indirect lighting to the 3D model.

This enhancement produces softer, more pleasing images.

2018_3D_enhanced_photon_mapping_800x600

Presentation Views

Site Polygons extract in Presentation Views.

2018_3D_presentaion_site

View File

Load a View File and the name on the tab automatically updates.

Rod & Shelf

Rod & Shelf can be excluded from 3D model.

2018_3D_rodandshelf_extraction

Sun Options

Sun Options added to Options tab.

Changes to the Sun Options update the 3D model immediately making it easier to change the date or time of day to enhance the model appearance.

2018_3D_sun_options

Texture

Search capability is available on the Edit Texture dialog box.

2018_3D_texture_search

Undo | Redo

Changes in mode, shaded to textured for example, are considered steps by the Undo and Redo command. Change a shaded model to textured mode and then undo, the model reverts back to shaded mode.

Changes to Render Options added to Undo and Redo.

Update Model

Changes to:

  • Auto Horizon
  • Extraction Options
  • Render Options
  • Sun Options

immediately update the 3D model.

Walkthrough

Walkthrough Animation Rate defaults to 7’/second.

7 Comments

  1. Has there been any changes to help generate a floor corbeled into the foundation?
    Each new version seems to miss this one, and a long process which is hardly worth the effort is required up until 2016.

  2. Very Nice Photon Mapping Rendering. What settings did you use to get those nice renderings?

    Thank you for answering my question.

    Dominic

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