AUGIWorld Magazine September/October 2007

Features The problem with hand-rendered drawings is that they are difficult to revise or copy. The problem with CAD drawings is that they look computer-generated. Impression combines benefits of each process to streamline the creation and implementation of color renderings. The program is simple to use, right out of the box or download. A drawing is created in AutoCAD as a DWG or DWF file. The user then takes that file and imports it into Impression. This importation does not create a single image of nothing but lines and white area; rather, it brings in the CAD data, allowing it to be manipulated by Impression. Upon initial insertion of the linework, the Impression user has the option of choosing how the lines will look. They can be thick strokes, thin strokes, continuous, dashed, pink, blue, or orange. Impression reads and understands layers just like AutoCAD. If linework is created in CAD with different layers for different objects, then Impression will bring over those layers so that each one can be altered to appear as desired. This styling ability in Impression is what makes it a wonderful tool, in my opinion. can be determined beforehand or while working in the current drawing. These styles can be applied to layers in the drawing by simply dragging them from a palette to the layer. All objects on that layer will then be generated according to the settings. You can change the settings to change the drawing. This is similar to AutoCAD’s method of layer control. is the Style Maps. Impression is designed to work along with AutoCAD and its layers. When a designer creates a drawing in CAD, it can be imported into Impression. Impression knows and understands the layers. If the designer creates a modification to the original drawing, that file can be imported into a new Impression drawing and be instantly rendered. This happens with Style Maps. The first drawing was rendered with a particular style. That style is saved as a Style Map. When the second CAD file is imported, the previous style map is applied to the new design, instantly rendering it. In the world of hand rendering, a new drawing would have to be developed from scratch. If there are other drawings that need the same or similar styles applied to it, this style map can be used on every drawing. If an architect created a rendering for a building elevation, for example, that style map could be applied to all other elevations so that they would all look the same. The time it takes to create one rendered elevation is enough time to create four rendered elevations. Once a standard style map is established, the time needed for other renderings is greatly reduced. Figure 3 – Style Settings for a layer. Figure 2 – The Open File Manager. Styling methods There are two basic styling methods that Impression uses: layer control styling and area control styling. Sometimes a drawing may require that both styles be used. That is up to the needs of the drawing and its creator. The area method uses the linework that was brought in and fills it in. This method is great to generate drawings quickly because the user selects the fill type, then points and clicks. The layer method uses layer styles that Impression drawings can also be manipulated through block control. The software comes with many predrawn blocks, with styles attached. If these are not desirable, then create what you want or need. A landscape architect might create a block for a palm tree and place it in several locations on the drawing. It is very likely that at some point the client will change his mind and want a different tree or even some shrubbery instead. The Landscape Architect can then drag and drop the desired block on top of the existing block to replace it in every instance. Another use of this quick-change application would be to generate similar designs with minor differences. In order to do this by hand, the LA would have to create two drawings from scratch—making twice the work for a minor change. The blocks work just as they do in AutoCAD. When a drawing is imported from CAD, Impression knows it and maintains them in the drawing, keeping layers and linework intact. Impression and block control Figure 4 – Layer Manager. Familiar territory Style maps speed creation Another feature of Impression that makes drawing creation quicker and easier Impression was made to be AutoCAD compatible. The layer control styling’s compatibility with AutoCAD is the main example of the fluid work that can be done between AutoCAD and Impression. And there are other CAD compatibilities that aid in rendering. For example, an Impression user can import DWF files, enabling the user to send files without concern over losing control of AutoCAD details. In addition, Impression can import several standard image files including: PSD, EPS, RDF, PNG, JPG, and BMP. Impresw w w. A U G I . c o m 8 http://www.AUGI.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of AUGIWorld Magazine September/October 2007

Contents The CAD Manager Feature: A Good First Impression ADT and SketchUp Team for Presentations Accessing Values: Now or Later Finding the 3D in Map 3D: Surface Visualization Rocks & Rock Walls Autodesk University 2007 Preview The Missing Link On the Back Page

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