3-D CAD
3-D CAD with IntelliCAD
We are often asked about the capability of IntelliCAD software to produce photorealistic images. IntelliCAD can be used for this purpose. The figure below shows a 3-D model of cubby house drawn using IntelliCAD software, exported to Photoshop and 'hand' rendered. We placed a photograph of the site on a backgound layer (after using the gradient function in Photoshop to change a dull grey sky into the brilliant blue) as a background and put the model on top.
Creating 3-D models
When working in 3-D, you work in 3-D space, placing entities using X, Y and Z coordinates. In the figure below, we are using the ability of IntelliCAD to place entities in 3-D space and to provide three different views of the one model - a plan view at the top left, an elevation view at the bottom right and an isometric view in the panel on the right. The VPORTS command was used to generate 3 views of a three dimensional object - plan and front views on the left and ISO view on the right.
Oce we have a suitable model of (in this case) a 3-D tree, it (the drawing) can be used as a block (repeating symbol) in a design for a courtyard and rendered using the FULLRENDER command in IntelliCAD.
3-D models can be cretaed in many different disciplines.Here is a 3-D model of a typical mechanical engineering assembly.
A 3-D model of a railway truck
Of course, this ability to create 3-D models finds its greatest use in architecture and building. In models of typical domestic houses and especially interior design. The figure below shows a simple house in plan view. The next figure shows the same house model in 3-D view. Nothing extra has been added, we have simply changed the view point.
Now a 3-D view of the house (rendered using the built-in rendering engine in IntelliCAD).
Here is an interior view of a corner store shelving layout.
Scientific use of IntelliCAD
CAD software is not restricted to landscape or engineering projects. The image shown in the figure below, was again produced using IntelliCAD software. It shows a 3-D model of a biological molecule - a growth hormone - one too small to be seen even with the aid of a microscope, but one whose structure can be inferred from X-Ray analysis. This image was produced by taking the base scientific information about the precise location in space of parts of the molecule and creating what is called a drawing exchange file (DXF).
The DXF file accurately described the position in space of different amino acid residues which are joined by peptide bonds to form a protein molecule. Together they (amino acid residues) make a protein molecule. In this protein (called Igf-1 - insulin like growth factor), there are 70 amino acid residues in total. The molecule acts as a hormone on numerous growth-promoting and metabolic activities.
The DXF file was inserting into an empty IntelliCAD drawing and endered. Coloured spheres represent different parts of the residues.