Opening the tutorial file (optional)

If you successfully completed Part 3, proceed to the next step: Setting the Image Quality below.

If you were not successful in part 3, open the file called Render_Basics_part4.wire, located in the wire directory of the CourseWare project. This file contains the completed model from Part 3.

Watch Part 4 of the tutorial.

Setting the Image Quality

First, set the quality of the Hardware Shade to High.

1. Maximize the Perspective window.
2. Choose WindowDisplay > Hardware Shade ❒.
3. Make sure that Quality is set to HIGH and Shading method is set to Per pixel, to create a high quality image.
4. In the Enable Environment Effects section, turn on Show Background.

   

   The background color defaults to black, which obscures the shadows.

   

   NoteThe HIGH quality settings may also slightly change how the lights appear on the surfaces. You can modify the intensity or direction of the lights to adjust the image.

   Now, you will change the background color using the Environment shader.

5. In the Enable Environment Effects section of the Hardware Shade window, click the Edit Environment button to open the Environment editor window.

   

   NoteIf the Hardware Shade window is closed, you can also go to the Visualize Control Panel and double-click the Environment shader icon to open the Environment editor window.

   

6. In the Background section of the Hardware tab, change the color to white (or any other color).

   

   The shaded view updates to the new background color.

   

Adding Ground Plane Reflections

To add realism to the image, you can add a reflection in the ground plane.

1. In the Ground Plane section of the Environment shader options, check the Reflection option to see a reflection of your model in the ground plane.

   

2. Modify the Reflectivity and Reflection Depth options to change the reflections in the view.

   

Exporting an Image

Now, you can set up the view and export the image.

1. Tumble the view to frame and compose the image you want to capture.
2. Choose File > Export > Current Window ❒ to open the option window.

   

   The Image File Type defaults to .tif. You can specify an alternative format, if necessary.

   The Image Size defaults to the screen size. You can choose an alternative image size by choosing Specify Image Size.

3. Click Go to save the image. The File Lister appears.

   

4. In the Object Name section (Windows) or Save As field (Mac), type in myRender and click Save.

   The image is created and saved in the pix directory of your current project.

5. To view the image in Alias, choose File > Show Image .

   

   Alternatively, you can view the image using any Windows or graphics software, or import it into your presentation documents.

Save your work

1. Save your work in the wire directory of the Lessons project.
2. Name your file myRender_Basics4.wire.