Create a Geometric Environment

3D geometric environments allow you to map an image to a geometric shape that surrounds your model. The environment updates with the model when you change the view, enhancing digital design reviews.

To add a geometric environment to your scene

Choose Render > Multi-lister .
Double click the Environment icon to open the editor.
In the Background section, click the Map button next to the Color field to open the Texture editor.
NoteThe Geometric environment texture can only be mapped to the background color of the Environment shader
In the editor, choose Geometric in the Environment section. This opens the Geometric Environment window.
Click the Map button next to the Source Texture field to open the Texture editor.
Choose the file texture in the Surface section.
In the File texture editor, click the Browse button next to the Image field. Browse to the environment image you want to use as your background. This should be a large panoramic image in tiff, jpg, gif, bmp, or png format.
NoteThe source texture file cannot be an HDR image.
Choose WindowDisplay > Hardware Shade ❒, turn on the Show Background option and click Shade On.

The geometric background appears. When you rotate and pan the view, the environment texture file moves with the model.

To adjust the shape, position, and size of the geometric environment texture

The background image is mapped to either a Dome or a Cylinder (depending on the Geometry Type chosen in the Geometric Environment window) that surrounds your model. This geometry cannot be directly manipulated or rendered; you must use the Rotate, Scale, and Height sliders to transform it.

Scaled down texture node showing the shape of the environment geometry.

The geometric texture has an associated texture placement node that also lets you move, scale and rotate the environment (using the usual Transform tools) to adjust it around your model.

NoteTo embed the source texture image into the wire file (instead of just referencing it) when saving your model, turn on Embed Image References in the Save As option window.

To use preset geometric environments from the Shader Library

The Shader Library in the Visualize Control Panel contains four environments with geometric textures: GeoDesertDawn, GeoDocks, GeoGypsumCrater, and GeoNightPlaza.

To use a preset geometric environment:

Open the Control Panel and choose Visualize from the top pull-down menu.
Double-click one of the geometric environments in the Shader Library
The geometric texture appears int the Resident Shaders section of the Control Panel.
Double-click the Hardware Shade tool in the Control Panel or choose WindowDisplay > Hardware Shade in the menu.
In the option window, turn on Show Background and click the Shade On button.
The geometric background appears around your model.