Topics To Cover:
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Introduction & Download
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Software Settings & Interface
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Adding Entourage
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Video Fly Through
1. Introduction & Download
Enscape is one of the newer rendering tools available to designers. Enscape takes CAD data from 3-D modeling softwares like Sketch-up, Rhino, and Revit and uses real-time rendering to create beautiful project images.
Enscape provides a free student download. To get started apply for your free educational license here!
**This takes a few days to process so do it now 🙂
The Enscape interface is different depending on the 3-D modeling program you are working in. The good news is that Enscape adjusts its format and menu panels to match the software you are already working in. For example, in RHINO, the Enscape Settings appear as a new tab in the top tool bar beneath the command line.
2. Software Settings & Interface
There are a variety of VISUAL SETTINGS available to you through Enscape.
Under the Rendering Tab, there are options to change the “Style” and “Mode” of your render.
- White Mode – switch to a traditional, white rendered image to show more of the basic architectural scene.
*You can change the “Outline” setting while in White Mode to create different effects quickly.
- Light View – with light view enabled the amount of lux falling onto each surface will be displayed; this view shows how your model and materials are interacting with light
*In the Enscape Viewport, when Light View Mode is activated, there will always be a temp range indicator located at the top to show the lux scale.
daytime Light View vs. nighttime Light View
- Polystyrol Mode – renders all surfaces like a real polystyrol material; geometry is thinned and light is scattered.
**When this mode is selected, an additional setting appears named Transmission that determines how much light is transmitted through geometry.
Under the Atmosphere Tab, there are options to change the scene and sky of your render.
- Cloud Settings – change the density of cloud cover; this also changes the intensity of light coming through.
- Volumetric Fog – fog helps give your scene a sense of depth by adding visibility to the individual light rays; the color of the fog is dependent on the Time of Day settings
Sun, Geolocation, and Time Settings
Setting up the position of the sun and geolocation of your project is done in the 3-D program you are working in; it is NOT SET via Enscape. For example, if you are working in Rhino, adjust the Rhino Sun (by typing “Sun” in the command line).
However, once you are in the Enscape Viewport (viewing panel of your render), you CAN ADJUST the Time of Day.
3. Adding Entourage
Enscape has a robust ASSET LIBRARY. You can add vegetation, people, furniture, street props, vehicles, lighting, and even basic buildings to your render.
Here’s a video showing Enscape asset placement in Rhino. It’s only 20 seconds. 🙂
4. Video Fly Through
You can create real time walk throughs of your project. Enscape has a wonderful tutorial for you to reference HERE!
***BONUS TUTORIALS
If you are loving Enscape and want to explore more fun features (like connecting to Virtual Reality!!!) check out their video tutorial site, HERE!