Workflow

This document introduces the general steps of using D5 Render. It takes the workflow of importing a SketchUp model into D5 Render as an example to help users create their first D5 rendering image. You can use this as a reference to get a quick overview of how D5 Render works and if you have questions, you can check the relevant documentation for the corresponding steps.

For example, we have a SketchUp model of an interior scene that we want to import into D5 Render for rendering.

The following section will briefly explain the ideas of each step.

Model Import

Click "Open" on the Welcome page and select the SketchUp model file to load the model directly.

Or install the D5 Converter workflow plugin via the Workflow option.

Click the "Launch D5" button in the SketchUp toolbar to synchronize the model to D5 Render.

Click "OK" when this window pops up.

After the loading process, our model will be imported into D5.

For other modeling software and workflow plug-ins to import models, please refer to this: model import.

Environment adjustment

After the model is imported into D5, auto-exposure is turned on by default. Usually we‘ll see a properly exposed scene, except for completely closed (without any windows) scenes that may appear black.

If you need to expose manually, turn off the automatic exposure option in the upper right corner Camera Menu.

After importing the model, we usually have to adjust the overall environment background first to set a foundation for the lighting and atmosphere of the scene.

You can use the Geo and Sky system with cloud parameters to create a custom sky background, or you can use the HDRI spherical sky to provide the background and lighting.

After you are satisfied with the background and lighting, you can also turn on the fog effect to further increase the realism and depth. Of course, for efficiency, we can also temporarily turn off the fog effect while adjusting the details and turn it back on before the final render.

For indoor and outdoor scenes with large light ratios, you can also turn on "volume light" to create the "God ray" effect.

Please refer to Environment for the specific principles and effects of each parameter of the Environment panel.

Adding assets

After the environment atmosphere is set, we have to add various details to the scene, including entourage, artificial light, materials.

Click the "Assets" button in the navigation bar, select the "Model" category in the drop-down menu, select the appropriate entourage and add it to the scene.

Add vegetation, cars and people outdoors. Add furniture and accessories indoors. For more information about the Assets library, please refer to the document Assets.

You can also use the "Import" button on the navigation bar to continue adding local model materials to the scene.

This way the imported models can continue to be positioned, rotated, and scaled using the scene tools.

For detailed operation techniques, please read the document Model Edit and Action.

Add lights

D5 Render provides four types of light sources: Point Light, Spotlight, Strip Light, and Rectangular Light. Use the shortcut keys 1 、2 、3 and 4 to quickly place light sources into the scene.

Add light sources to the scene according to real life and design needs. You can freely adjust the size of the strip and rectangular lights, very convenient. In addition, pay attention to the "Attenuation Radius" parameter. The characteristics of various types of light sources and the specific meaning of the parameters please refer to: Lights.

Use the shortcut L to toggle the light carrier icon for easy observation of the lighting effect.

Material Adjustment

D5 will automatically read the base color map from the original model and recognize it as a rough non-metal material. You can select a preset material by clicking on the "Assets" button in the navigation bar. Click on the model to assign the material directly.

You can also adjust the material parameters or import PBR texture maps (base color, normals, metallicities, etc.). Please refer to the document Material for specific material parameter principles and how to use material templates.

Camera setup

After all kinds of elements in the scene are added, we have to consider framing composition. This step involves the movement of the camera, FOV, two-point perspective (shortcut key: F8) and other operations, the meaning of the specific parameters, please refer to the document View.

Once we are satisfied with the composition of the current shot, we click "Create New Scene" and the "Add Scene" icon to save the current camera perspective.

Post-processing

Click here to open the Effect Panel.

The meaning of all parameters in the Effect panel are described in detail in the Effect documentation, so here is a brief description of the general order of adjustments.

Exposure and White Balance

In the post adjustment stage, we first calibrate the exposure and white balance of the image (You can also further adjust these two parameters to your artistic needs on a calibrated basis.)

Tone Mapping

Then adjust the three parameters related to the tone mapping curve: "Highlight" "Shadows" "Slope", in order to retain more details in the highlight areas and dark areas, and the right contrast between light and dark.

Lens effect

Proper use of the "Bloom" and "Lens flare" parameters can make the image more closely to the real photo.

Other parameters

There are also two general adjustment parameters "Contrast" and "Saturation", which can be adjusted according to the needs.

LUT

The LUT system allows you to quickly adjust different styles or import external LUT coloring files. The Intensity parameter controls the strength of the LUT coloring effect.

Render

Once you are satisfied with the current image, click the "Render Image" button on the top right to enter the rendering mode, and choose the aspect ratio, resolution, and whether to generate materials, AO, and other channel maps as needed. Here you can also choose whether to produce a panorama or not.

In rendering mode, you can still continue to adjust parameters such as field of view, HDRI light, etc.

When you are satisfied with the image in the safe frame, click the "Render" button and select the file save path to render the final image.

You can also add the current task to the render queue by clicking the "Add to Render Queue" button in the bottom right corner.

Please refer to the document Render for details on the specific parameters of rendering.

Video Output

Click the "Render Video" button in the upper right corner to enter video clip editing mode.

For details on video rendering please read the documentation Video.