Artlantis in CreaNum

Here's the translation of an interview of Artlantis product manager recently published in Creation Numerique. He explains the Artlantis revolution.

What’s new in the latest version of Artlantis ?

“ The new version of Artlantis offers more than just features... it is a real revolution. We kept everything that Artlantis is famous for, its ease of use, intuitive interface and, above all, its powerful controls - and we introduced technologies that work for the user. Users can visualize the 3D model in real time using radiosity. Artlantis is unique among rendering software packages in the way it integrates radiosity into a live 3D preview.

The 3D model is displayed in real-time using high quality radiosity lighting effects, maintaining an appearance consistent with the final rendering.We also did a great job on the new lightings control, with systems that automatically balance the intensity of various light sources within a project. It works like the autoexposure setting on a digital camera.

Regardless of how many light sources are in the scene, the system automatically adjusts their intensity, in order to avoid overexposure. Thanks to this light balancing system, it is now possible to change from day to night exterior lighting while automatically keeping the intensity of interior light sources consistently balanced.

Once the scene’s lighting is prepared, the user only needs to determine what type of atmosphere to use - a day or a night sky - and the system takes care of the rest.For materials, we introduced algorithms that realistically simulate actual materials. While playing with the reflection or brillance settings, it is easy to show very realistic effects and, moreover, to control all the modifications in real time within the preview window.

With the “normal maps” function, we have introduced a new option to accentuate the shadows or create more depth perception in a material, making it possible to show, for example, the subtle height variations of tiled surfaces.Another new function allows the user to put QuickTime or AVI movies into a scene, such as onto a TV screen, creating more dynamic animations with Artlantis Studio. Also, we’ve included the ability to add animated characters to the scene, with a variety of realistic motion-captured preset behaviors like waiting, chatting, or walking from one point to another”.Artlantis is famous for its very user-friendly interactivity, is it still the case in this new version ?

“ Yes, I think we have reinforced this concept. To us, it is a major asset when people can benefit from an advanced technology that is almost invisible. Nevertheless, it’s really there, behind a very simple interface. The user can easily take advantage of these automated features and powerful tools in Artlantis, increasing productivity dramatically. To that end, it’s very easy to create a 3d sky, and add cirrus, cumulus or stratus clouds - and even add a slight haze to the skyline by manipulating the “pollution factor” !

Artlantis also allows the user to create enhanced images called “postcards”, either to easily store and share a palette of materials, or to study different type of materials in a project while being able to quickly return the model to its previous configuration. While Artlantis is designed to produce professional high quality documents, it’s not specifically dedicated to the high-end CGI expert, but perhaps to someone like a stage designer whose main goal is to choose the right views, attractive materials and appropriate effects, in order to produce the perfect “marketing-friendly” picture of a project “.

Memory Management in Artlantis

This interesting article is by courtesy of Alain Picard - Abvent

If XP knows that this OS manage only 2GB RAM per applications. Nonetheless you can manage till 3GB, to do so please do so but only if your are confident with Winodws bacause Abvent will not be responsible for any miss use or the following.Artlantis 2.0 is now « Large address aware ».

This will improve overall performance and let you manage bigger files.If you are a Windows Vista 32 Bits or 64 Bits user you’ll automatically take benefit of this new feature.If you are a Windows XP user you have to change one setting on your machine to allow the operating system to be also “Large address aware”. Please do the following:

1. In My Computer > Properties > Advanced > Startup and Recovery, click Settings.

2. Click the Edit button under System Startup to edit the BOOT.INI file.

3. Find the current boot entry, which typically looks like this:multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect

4. Change this line by simply adding the “ /3GB” switch at the end :multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect /3GB

5. Save and close BOOT.INI.

6. Click OK to close the Startup and Recovery panel.

7. Restart your machine. This works on all Windows XP systems (Home and Pro)I hope this is clear enough for you all…if not, as always, don’t hesitate to eMail me.

For those who want know a little more about memory management on Windows XP, please read through this document :http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/platform/server/PAE/PAEmem.mspx

Hope this will help.

Alain Picard Abvent

Artlantis in Education

STUDENTS:

Abvent understand that todays Architectural and Interior Design Students, are potentially tomorrows Abvent clients.

For this reason, Abvent continue to support the educational environment in providing Students who are currently studying Architecture or Interior Design, an opportunity to use Artlantis Studio 2 for the duration of their study period, Free of Charge

The License issued, will expire after a twelve month period, at which time the Student can re-apply fo a further twelve month period, if they are still studying.

If you are a Student, click here to apply for your Artlantis Studio 2 - Student License

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS:

Abvent understand that today's Architectural / Interior Design Students, are potentially tomorrows Abvent clients.

For this reason, Abvent continue to support the educational environment in providing Educational Institutions with up to 90 x Artlantis Studio 2 Network Licenses, Free of Charge, to be installed in the Educational Institutions Computer Laboratory to enable the Students to acquaint themselves with the use of Artlantis Studio 2

The Network License issued, will expire after a twelve month period, at which time the Educational Institution can re-apply for a further twelve month period.

If you are an Educational Institution, click here to apply for your Educational Network Artlantis Studio 2 licenses.

Autograph take this opportunity to thank Abvent for their "forward thinking" and significant investment in the future of our Design Professionals.

AVIS (Artlantis Video Instruction Series)

Based on the popular Artlantis reference guide, namely The Missing Book, Autograph have now created the movie !!!

Comprising four hours of "step by step" instructional Video Tutorials, AVIS is guaranteed to get you "fully up and running" on Artlantis Studio within two days.

For FULL DETAILS on subject matter covered, as well as pricing, visit our Autograph website.

Autograph goes Green with New Website

Autograph are proud to announce the launch of our NEW LOOK "GO GREEN" WEBSITE

...................................So, big deal, what's in it for me, you may ask?

Well firstly, for a change, I am NOT trying to sell you anything...(well, not directly...)

NEW DOWNLOADS SECTION:

In fact, buried in amongst a whole bunch of interesting information about the newly released version of ARTLANTIS 2, you will find our DOWNLOADS section with some very useful "FREE" Artlantis Media Content available for download.

Yes, simply REGISTER as a MEMBER on our new website, and gain access to this additional "FREE STUFF" - for example, a Zip file containing 75 x new Billboards for Artlantis is currently available for download - (40,385 KB in size) - plus much more useful stuff to follow soon...

I will be adding more FREE CONTENT to this DOWNLOADS section, on a regular basis, but don't stress, since ALL Members who register, will receive a regular e-Mail Communication from Autograph advising them of newly uploaded content.

THE NEW FORUM

I have also set up a new Artlantis FORUM with separate Subject Matter Sub Categories. I encourage you to please post your Artlantis Support Questions and or interesting anecdotes here. We can all learn a lot from each other through regular use of this Forum.

THE SLIDE SHOW

I have "uploaded" some new awesome Artlantis 2 Rendered Images created by some renowned International Architects onto our new ARTLANTIS SLIDE SHOW GALLERY. I have also included one amazing image from one of our own South African based architects, namely Karel Keuler

I have no doubt that there are a number of South African Architectural practices who are also producing high quality Artlantis Renders, as good as some of these examples. I therefore invite and encourage you to submit your best JPEG renders to us for consideration, and hopefully, subsequent placement in our ARTLANTIS SLIDE SHOW GALLERY.

SURVEYS

If you would like Autograph to conduct a specific SURVEY relating to any issue concerning our industry, please drop me an e-Mail at atholp@autograph.co.za and I will set this up on our website. Could be rather interesting...

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Just landed a huge project, and desperately looking for skilled Design Professional resources? - then click on Require Resources

Or perhaps you are looking for an exciting new position - then click on Seeking Employment and see what's on offer.

KNOWLEDGE BASE

I am also currently also working on building an Artlantis KNOWLEDGE BASE which will be an on-going "Work in Progress" project. Please feel free to request topics to be covered in this Section.

Please feel free to call us at Autograph on (012) 653-0351 / 61 to discuss any questions you may have with regard to our new look website, or with regard to ARTLANTIS 2.

Space Navigator & Artlantis 2

Artlantis 2 is now compatibility with Space NavigatorTM 3D mouse that allows intuitive and powerful 3D navigation ; anchored target point for a camera or a light that follows the trajectory ; magic wand for easy object extraction ; Open GL navigation with shadows ; automatic or manual view point update ; looped object animation, use of a movie as a texture.

Visit Autograph for more detailed specifications, and pricing.

What's New in Artlantis 2

Image by Courtesy of Ivo Venkov / PAA Studio / USA - Render : Mr White

Register as a Member on Autograph's website to gain access to the DOWNLOADS section of our website where you can view Video Clips of the ARTLANTS 2 Features, and also download Free Artlantis Objects

Full Radiosity:
Display your 3D model in global illumination. The new and improved rendering engine lets you generate accurate radiosity images in real time within the 3D preview window. The final rendering is consistent with the 3D preview window, giving you a faithful and accurate representation of the high-quality images you’ll produce from your 3D models.

Real Sky Simulation:
The latest version of Artlantis improves all lightings conditions. With the addition of a “physical sky”, the sun, moon and stars are now visible elements that cast light onto the project using global illumination. A range of magnificent clouds are also available : cirrus, cumulonimbus or stratus add an extra realistic touch to the skies.

Automatic Light Adjustment:
Thanks to its new automatic light adjustment feature, Artlantis dynamically balances the lighting levels in your scenes from dawn till sunset, and from outside to inside a building, and thus allows you to perform photorealistic four-stars images and animations.

Integrated Image Post-processing:
Save time by doing your image post-processing in Artlantis… no need to use other image editing tools. Artlantis’ new options enable users to modify the luminance, the contrast and the color index of a rendered image during post-processing. It also allows users to add grain, contour lines or a pastel painting effect, for fantastic new stylistic possibilities. These effects are displayed directly in the 3D preview window and can be used individually or combined.

Shader Creator:
Artlantis new version offers new automatic texture definition. The shaders have new properties : specular reflection, shiningness, blur effect, normal mapping… for a considerable new shading quality. A new function is available for advanced users, they can now create their own shaders through a complete interface.

Rich Media:
With an optional collection of 25 CD of media - shaders and 3D objects - Artlantis enables users to quickly work on different scenarios and simulate life-like virtual scenes in a realistic environment.When the new Artlantis version is released, Artlantis family will also introduce 5 new media CD’s : 3D Animated People, Bilboard People, Cars, Stones and Marble Floor. All easily controlled with a simple drag&drop into the 3D preview window, these shaders and objects enhance the photorealism of your scenes.

Artlantis Connectivity

Artlantis combines the most advanced and efficient functions for realistic simulation of hardware and lighting needed for any 3 dimensional project. Communicating directly with leading CAD Architecture software (such as ArchiCAD™, VectorWorks™, SketchUp™ Pro, Arc+™), Artlantis has the advantage of import functions for the main CAD formats.

Direct connectivity:

ArchiCAD, VectorWorks and SketchUp, the major Abvent partners in the CAD Architecture world, export directly to Artlantis format. This direct link provides more complete and better quality data recovery than by going through a classic exchange format.

Main Exchange File Formats:

Artlantis imports the most commonly used 3D formats: DXF, DWG,DWF, OBJ, FBX or 3DS. It is worth noting that, for 3DS format files, Artlantis recovers certain data such as map textures and lights.

Use Reference File:

The "Use reference file" function enables the user to make updates to a project in the modeler without losing any of the data already entered into Artlantis, regardless of the exchange format used.

Autograph Secure International Award

At the recent Artlantis Reseller Conference held in San Francisco, Autograph received an International Award from Abvent for best "Artlantis Media Sales - 2007".

We thank you, our valued clients, for your continued loyal support, for without it, we would not have been able to achieve this award.