All 3D cad files available for download on this site have been rendered for thumbnail and the preview window. Users of this site should be aware that the cad files available for download are in fact 3D cad (vector) files saved in AutoCAD 2000 format and not graphic (raster) files. The cad files are 3D wire frames which have been rendered to offer a more "real world" representation of the drawings subject.
All rendered cad files were done in various versions of AutoCAD or various versions of AutoCAD using AccuRender. AccuRender is a high-end rendering application that fully integrates into AutoCAD by Robert McNeel & Associates. More information about AccuRender can be found at:www.accurender.com
The drawing renders were made by multiple methods over the years depending on when the cad files were added to the 3D Project. This is inclusive of AutoCAD renders, AccuRender renders, AccuRender walkabout window snap shots, screen captures, later versions of AutoCAD realistic and conceptual view exports. Basically; whatever was the easiest and most expedient method for the person creating the render previews at the time. While this site has tried to maintain a standard consistency for the previews graphics variations over the years could not be avoided.
Materials used in the rendering are assigned on the majority of the cad drawings by "object" from the stock Material Library in either AutoCAD or AccuRender. The exception to this rule is later drawings in the 3D Project that use material assignment by ACI (AutoCAD Color Index) or by the color of the object in the layer. Materials selected for the preview renderings were made on a "close match" basis.
Preview renderings were also made, as often as possible, in a natural (no color), plane-less (no floor) environment with ambient lighting (no points of light) so these drawing variables settings would not be present to transfer along with the cad files so they would be as clean as possible when used in other drawings. The environment background colors used were selected in order to avoid ambient color artifacts on the objects during the rendering process. Rendering results of 3D cad files will vary depending on the setting of these variables. This is depicted in the example below where the only variable in the renders that change is the insertion of a ground plane and a change of material for that ground plane.
Information on the 3D-Project drawings can be found in the windows properties box of all drawings. In some descriptions you may notice notations such as "back", "front" or "detail".
Such phrases are used in the 3D Project to indicate the depth of detail in the cad drawing. "Back" for example informs you that back of the object is drawn in full detail. "Front" indicates that it is a more compact file showing the "front" of the equipment only. This was done as some drawings can into existence as an instance of the subject object itself while others are objects used to enhance a larger drawing as a representation of a minor object. Much like a drawing of a PC compared to a drawing of an office layout with a PC on a desk.
The more detailed a cad file is the larger it is. The omission of details in a drawing make an enormous difference in file size of the end product. For example below the PC drawing with a detailed back is 1.05 MB in size while the drawing with the same front without the back detail is 376 kb.
The Drawing Properties also contains the drawing Subject that is the name of the 3D-Project Group the file is distributed in. There is also the name of the original file creator of the drawing. You can access the properties from the file Icon by right clicking on it and selecting "Properties" or by selecting the "Properties" option in the AutoCAD File menu.
