Brian Huculak Landscape Architect

Since there is no such thing as a 'Magic Wand' (ie. a single application) that can do 'everything', I use a collection of applications and techniques to generate various effects at key stages of the work flow. In the case of these examples, I used PowerCADD 2000 for all the 2D front-end work which allowed me to create accurate, clean geometry quickly. The data was then imported into FormZ for modelling and rendering and finally a bit of fun can be had with loosening things up in Painter. All examples on this page were rendered in FormZ renderzone. In fact, a total of 22 images were generated for this ProBono Client (a local Gymnastics club). While the client's original intent was to use 3D as wire frames for manual artist renderings, they changed plans when they saw these. Remember, the rendered glass and related visual effects are created entirely in FormZ Renderzone, these are not composite images imported into Photoshop for 'transparency' effects. In some cases, the computer models can look a bit 'too crisp' or look too 'real' which can cause folks to think designs are more complete than they really are. To solve that problem I loosen things up at various stages of the rendering process. I'll use Painter Classic, Painter 6 , Photoshop and PowerCADD to composite things together for presentation pieces and image boards... remember, the magic is in how all the pieces work together, not in trying to find a single application that 'does it all'. Brian Huculak

Phoenix Base. A simple 2D PowerCADD 2000 base drawing was prepared for the overall floor plans. There are three levels (basement, main and mezzanine) which are organized on appropriate layers to before exporting into FormZ. Translation is not a 'one shot process'. Rather, as the model evolves, changes were made to the PowerCADD base drawing to create revised geometry for various components. The components where then imported into the FormZ model. Just like the design process, the modelling process is a 'cycle' of revisions and moving back and forth between PowerCADD and FormZ is quick and easy.

The main entry rendered in FormZ RenderZone. The only Photoshop retouching is for the transparent logos in the bottom left corner. Of note here are the reflections in the glass. Reminder, these are not Photoshop transparency effects, these are raytraced images from the FormZ based on original geometry created in PowerCADD.

Just for fun... some Photoshop filters can be applied to generate sketched effects. Surprisingly enough, these types of sketches are often better received than the raytraced models for early design discussions.

A simple sketch rendering of a view in FormZ. Doesn't look like much, but it can be combined with other images for interesting effects, read on...

Here's the same view only raytraced in FormZ Renderzone. The problem I had with this image was the lack of context which looked clumsy, this view needed to be loosened up.

I modified the image by hand in Painter Classic to create a much softer visual effect. The hand sketch was overlaid to generate a loose sketched / hand painted effect. Often, these types of composites communicate more clearly than the ray-traced images as they appear 'more traditional'. Hint: I didn't need to use a ray-traced images, I could have used a flat shaded image which is faster and 'cheaper' to render and the same effect would be created. This is important since it speeds up the design process.

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