Request for advice on rendering and animating AutoCAD 14 solid model mechanical assemblies and devic

Hello everyone,

I have a small mechanical mechanism modeled as 3D solids in AutoCAD 14.
I need a way to use the models to make a presentation to both
illustrate the operation principles, and show how the parts fit
together and operate.

I would like to do this in the form of a document with 3D drawings and
rendered images, and supporting text. I would also like to animate the
solid models, to show how everything fits together and assembles. I
would also like to show the assembled device in operation (it's just
basically a few rotating parts and some springs).

Ideally the animation itself could be distributed in a format that
could be played by Windows media player, quick-time, real-player or
some other free viewer.

I am using windows 98, (I know I need to upgrade) and I am looking for
the least expensive way to render and animate the solid models. I would
appreciate any advice or suggestions anyone can offer.

For the written document, I thought of just pasting some rendered
images and 3D drawings into a Microsoft word document, and then adding
supporting written text. I could also possibly make a power-point
presentation. AutoCAD 14 does not seem to render very well by todays
standards, so I will probably have to find something else to render the
solid models.

As for the animations, I am not sure. I have seen some fantastic
looking stuff made in 3D studio max, but that's very expensive like
AutoCAD, and I would probably need an older version to run on windows
98. They make some freeware rendering animation programs like Povray
www.povray.org, but all of the programs like this that I have seen,
don't really lend themselves to working with CAD files or 3D solid
models.

Hopefully there is some cost effective way for me to create the
animation.

Thanks for your help.
John

 

Try Accurender. It's extremely easy to use, quite inexpensive and runs from
within AutoCAD. You can download a demo version from their site.

However, Accurender doesn't do object animation. I've gotten around that by
manipulating the objects and re-rendering for each frame, but it's a
laborious, time consuming process. However, you could easily set up a
"flyaround" animation in Accurender to look at your model.

Download VideoMach to stitch together all your frames into an AVI file, add
music, etc. It's shareware with nag screens that can be safely ignored.

Marc

 

Hi John2005,
I gave a little example how to simulate 3d-moves using AutoLISP at
www.black-cad.de.
Notice that my method only works for open cinematic chains (translation- and
rotation-joints).
In case of interest contact me
regards
Jochen

 

Hi Marc & Jochen,

Thanks for your replies.

Jochen, I looked at your website and the lisp animation routine looks
interesting.

However, once the animation is made within AutoCAD, how can I
distribute the animation so people who do not have AutoCAD can view the
animation ?

Thanks
John

 

My "real-time motion- simulation on screen" uses AutoLISP, i.e. you must
have an AutoCAD (or an Intellicad or so)
Sorry -
Jochen

 

Why don't you just capture your screen as a video using AviScreen or
CapturePad and distribute the animation as an AVI or other common form.