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Using NXRender in Unigraphics NX3

The LightWorks-User Team has put together some tutorials to help get the most out of using NX Render. These tutorials are divided into four sections. The first tutorial is a general introduction to NXRender through a practical workshop which will take around 60-90mins to complete and we recommend you start with this. The other three sections look in more detail at NXRender materials, lighting and rendering and can be looked at in any order. Each includes one or more presentations in pdf format and some practical tasks based on the presentations. Everything you need to complete the tasks are supplied in the download file.

In order to use these tutorials you will need an installed copy of Unigraphics NX3 including the High Quality Visualisation option NXRender.

The LightWorks-User Team.

NXRender - Introductory Workshop

Presentation: Workshop Intro

A general introduction to NXRender through a practical workshop where a scene is developed through various stages to final render.

Unzip the Blender_Workshop.zip and refer to Workshop_instructions.pdf

NXRender - Materials

UGmaterials.pdf (Presentation)

  • Sources of materials in NX render
  • Material types and classification
  • Material components
    • Pattern
    • Reflectance
    • Bumps
    • Transparency
    • Texture spaces

StandardMaterialsLib.pdf (Presentation)

  • Scaling issues with predefined materials
  • What is in the archive

Creating_New_Materials.pdf: (Presentation)

  • Creating a tileable image-based material for use in UG
  • Using procedural shaders to create new materials

Materials_practical.zip (prt files, materials, pdf instructions)

Tasks based on some of the points covered in the materials presentations.

Predefined models, lightworks material archives and texture maps are supplied for each task. Unzip the file and refer to Materials_practical.pdf. Requires NX3 and NXRender

  • Task 1 – Apply a Moldtech material then edit it
  • Task 2 – Apply a small amount of mirror reflectance to a baseplane
  • Task 3 – Create a bump map (embossed) logo and position it on a model
  • Task 4 – Apply raytrace reflective materials

NXRender - Lighting

Lighting_techniques.pdf (Presentation)

  • Light types in NX Render
  • Shadow creation types and parameters
  • General lighting principles
  • 3 Point lighting
  • Recreating a photographic light studio
  • Approximating outdoor lighting

Lighting_practical.zip (prt files and pdf instructions)

Tasks based on some of the points covered in the lighting presentations.

Predefined models and light studios are supplied for each task. Unzip the file and refer to Lighting_practical.pdf. Requires NX3 and NXRender

  • Task 1 – Add a sun light to a sky hemisphere
  • Task 2 – Create a 3 point lighting scheme
  • Task 3 – Change parameters in a pre-defined photostudio example

NXRender - Rendering

Rendering.pdf (presentation)

  • What makes a good rendered image
  • Render modes and parameters for optimisation
  • Foregrounds
  • Backgrounds
  • Post-process effects
  • File output
  • Compositing
  • Artistic rendering
  • Radiosity

Rendering_practical.zip (prt files, texture maps, pdf instructions)

Tasks based on some of the points covered in the rendering presentations. Predefined models with light studios are supplied for each task. Unzip the file and refer to Rendering_practical.zip. Requires NX3 and NXRender

  • Task 1 – Composite the model into a photographic scene using shadow catcher
  • Task 2 – Try out the artistic render modes
  • Task 3 – Output a quicktime movie