Rendering Paramaters in Artlantis

Automatic lighting adjustment has been available since the launch of Artlantis 3. With Artlantis 4.1, users can now choose to keep this setting or use a new feature called Physical Camera. Which one suits you best? What does each setting mean? Watch this recorded webinar to learn more about the rendering parameters and output formats in Artlantis.

Artlantis 4.1.8 update version available

The Artlantis 4.1.8 update version fixes a number of bugs and also includes an enhancement.

Enhancement:

Artlantis 4.1.8 introduces two new parameters for the DXF-DWG import: the distance between Knots, and the deviation angle between faces. They come in addition to the 2D conversion parameters and control the triangulation of the 3D geometry. As a result, Artlantis can correctly interpret and triangulate moldings or any curved body built in the CAD modeler.

Bug fixes:

Mac and Windows:

ArchiCAD .gsm objects: the colors were not distinguished when saving by layers or on a unique layer.

Reopening a file wasn't possible; now the Revert command allows it.

The program would freeze when selecting an object.

Artlantis crashed when using "Delete the material ID unused"

When exporting SketchUp 8 to Artlantis, some viewpoints were ignored.

When exporting ArchiCAD 16 to 4.1: the geometry did not align with the origin.

DWF and OBJ export: the geometry wasn't exported if the current view was a panorama, a VR object or an animation.

OBJ import fixes: missing textures.

DWG-DXF fixes: Tessalation, distorted geometry and missing geometry.

Mac only:
The Artlantis color picker didn't match the material in the preview.

Windows only:

In the Objects Inspector, checking/unchecking a layer in the lower part of a long list would result in the display jumping back to the top of the list.

Scene Information, Translate Origin command: displayed an incorrect icon.

Issue when Activating/Deactivating layers when in the perspective view inspector.

iVisit 3D builder didn't work if XQuartz was missing.

 Download Artlantis 4.1.8 Update

 Download the Artlantis 30-Day Demo

Good News about QuickTime 7.7.3! Update fixes texture issue with Artlantis. Update today!

Apple has released QuickTime 7.7.3, patching critical security vulnerabilities. This is good news for Windows-based Artlantis users, too. This latest version fixes the previous QuickTime-related issues associated with reading textures on Windows OS. Updating to QuickTime 7.7.3 is recommended.

 Download QuickTime 7.7.3

 Read about the QuickTime Security Fixes

Sock Away the Savings

The holidays are always full of surprises. Sometimes, it's a sparkling gemstone or shiny new gadget. Other times, it's another darned pair of neutral-colored socks from Aunt Millie. We can't control what other people give us during the holidays, but this year, we can control what we get from our rendering software.

If you're tired of getting the same old stuff from your rendering software every year, why not get more with Artlantis 4? Now through December 31, 2012, we're giving you the opportunity to sock away the savings with 20% off Artlantis Render & Studio first-seat licenses and 10% off selected Artlantis Media volumes.

Whether you like Artlantis for its world-famous speed and ease of use, or you delight in the world-class quality of the optional Maxwell Render engine, there's no question that with Artlantis, your workflow and renderings will benefit year after year. Download the free Artlantis demo today and see what a difference 30-days can make.

We hope you have an enjoyable and safe holiday season this year!
 "Sock away the Savings" Promo Pricing

 Download the Artlantis 30-day Demo

Physical Camera and Automatic Light Adjustment in Artlantis 4

Introduction to the physical camera rendering option and automatic light adjustment option in Artlantis 4.

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 photo-realistic images and animations.

Automatic lighting adjustment has been available since the launch of Artlantis 3. With Artlantis 4.1, users can now choose to keep this setting or use a new feature called ISO/Shutter. ISO refers to the sensitivity of camera film, while the Shutter Speed refers to the length of time the camera’s aperture stays open when taking a picture.

Understanding the principles enables you to choose the one that suits you best.

 Watch the Video

Artlantis export plug-in news

Vectorworks 2013 export plug-ins to Artlantis 3 and 4.1 are now ready for downloading.

ArchiCAD 14, 15, 16 export plug-ins to Artlantis 3 and 4.1 were updated and enhanced.

Fixes;

Use Reference File, lights and cameras offset

Use Reference File, the already created panoramas keep their nodes

In spite of being unchecked, the textures were exported

The ArchiCAD lamps were switched off when transported to Artlantis

Enhancements;

More accuracy when merging geometry

The exported materials are smoothed by 20% by default. As a result, all curved surfaces arrive smoothed into Artlantis

The version number of the export is now displayed in the "Extension Manager" window.

The latest ArchiCAD 16 Hotfix includes and installs the updated Artlantis 4.1 export plug-in by default. This Hotfix xan be accessed only from inside of ArchiCAD either by following the instructions of the automatic message, or by opening the Help menu and choosing the "Check for Updates" command.

 Download the Export Plug-ins

 Download the Artlantis 30-day Demo

Pair of Aces

When the chips are down, nothing comes in handier than a pair of aces. For architectural visualization, Artlantis Render and Studio are your aces in the hole, an unbeatable combo that can pull you out of the toughest situations and put you in the winner's circle. Abvent is featuring this powerful pair in a special promotion, perfectly suited for offices that need create a mix of still and animated renderings.

From now until October 31, save 25% when you purchase the Pair of Aces promo, featuring one first-seat licenses of Artlantis Render and one first-seat license of Artlantis Studio. Both can be used to render still images, while Artlantis Studio provides additional animation and VR movie-making capabilities. Hurry! This deal won't be on the table long...pick up this Pair of Aces and get in the game!

 Pair of Aces Pricing and Ordering

 Download the Artlantis 30-day Demo

 Download the Export Plug-ins

Get Back to the Books with Artlantis

As summer begins to fade into a collage of sun-soaked memories, we look to that time of year when students once again return to the classroom. Even for those of us whose formal academic careers have ended, this time of year is still a reminder of the importance of learning. In that spirit, we're making it easier to "Get Back to the Books" with our current promotion.

Now through September 30, all of our Artlantis training resources will be 10% off. To ensure that you can put theory into practice, we've also placed Artlantis Studio on sale. If you've been wanting to delve deeper into the advanced features of Artlantis, this is a great way to accelerate that process. We can't offer you a degree suitable for framing, but there's a good chance you can expect to receive accolades and praise from your clients and associates when they see your Artlantis renderings.

Save up to $75 on Artlantis training products if you purchase them at the same time as your Artlantis Studio purchase. Use coupon code Back2Books2012 at checkout.

 Promo Pricing and Ordering

 Download the Artlantis 30-day Demo

Important Updates to Artlantis 4.1!

Abvent has launched an Artlantis 4.1.7 update version for bug-fixing purposes. The complete list of fixes can be found in the ReadMe document zipped with the update.

Artlantis 4.1 users will be notified automatically about this free update.

The Artlantis demo version was also updated; users can download this latest 4.1.7 version right away.

 Download the Artlantis Updater

 Download the Artlantis 30-day Demo

 Artlantis Pricing and Ordering

Artlantis 4.1 and Mac OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion

The recent launch of Mac OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion has brought with it a flurry of excitement and activity in the tech world, along with a lot of anxiety and questions. Many of our users have turned to us recently with the following question: "Is Mountain Lion compatible with Artlantis?"

Yes. Artlantis 4.1 IS compatible with Mountain Lion, Apple's latest Mac OS X 10.8 operating system. No special issues were found during the performed tests so far.

Mac OS X 10.8 introduces a new security option called Gatekeeper. It prevents the installation of malicious software on a Mac. By changing its security settings in the Preferences | Security & Privacy dialog box, you can control and allow the installation of applications not certified for OS X Mountain Lion.

On the other hand, Artlantis 3 was developed and tested with the earlier Mac OS versions only. We do not recommend running Artlantis 3 on Mountain Lion.

 Download the Artlantis 30-day Demo

What building product manufacturers are on your BIM object wishlist?

There are exciting changes coming to Objects Online, and we are asking for your help in shaping the future of our company. Please take our 5 minute survey and share your thoughts with us. Your input will help us make sure we're contacting the manufacturers that YOU want to see in the BIMobject Portal.

 Participate in our Survey

Exciting Changes In Store for Objects Online

During an election year, there is always a heightened sense that change is in the air. We may not know which way the winds will blow, but when we participate, we become part of a change process that keeps things vibrant, healthy, and renewed. Here at Objects Online, we are also undergoing some exciting changes this year, and your input can make a difference.

In April of this year, Objects Online became a BIMobject franchise. Our goal at BIMobject is to close the gaps that often exist between building product manufacturers and architects by offering a portal where thousands of high-quality information-rich manufacturers' BIM objects can be downloaded in a variety of BIM formats, at no cost to the end user. Furthermore, we are actively developing solutions to bring the portal to you, directly within your BIM software, allowing you to skip the trip to the website...smart, fast, and easy! Sound good?

This is a departure from the original Objects Online business model, where our customers visited our website and paid for the content they downloaded. We believe the BIMobject approach is a better way to serve the industry we know and love, providing a win-win for both architects and manufacturers. As a result, we have decided to discontinue all existing CAD and BIM-related object sales on Objects Online, effective August 1, 2012. We will be rolling out a completely new, streamlined website soon that will continue to focus on the Artlantis product family, while bringing you important news and information regarding the offerings from BIMobject.

Here's where your input can help. There are thousands of manufacturers out there, and we want to know which market segments and manufacturers are most important to you. If there are manufacturers you specify regularly, do they currently have BIM objects? Could their BIM catalog be improved or more fully developed? How would you rate the quality of the accompanying information? What source(s) do you use when searching for and specifying a product? Do you have contacts in or related to the building manufacturing industry who you feel we should be talking to? These are just a few conversation starters...feel free to elaborate. You can participate in our survey or contact us directly, but the important thing to take from all this is that we want to hear from you. We appreciate your loyal support of Objects Online over the past 15 years, and we want to continue to serve you for the next 15 years and beyond in ways that meet or exceed all of your expectations!

 Participate in Our Survey

 Contact Us Directly

 Visit BIMobject

 Visit Objects Online

How to find, search, and sort on the BIMobject portal. Also sharing objects on social media.

This video shows how to find, search and sort on the BIMobject® Portal using the different filters available. The website is fully functional without an account, however you will need to login if you want to download an object.

This makes it easy for you to share the links to the different products you find interesting, via social media for instance. Since there is no requirement to log in, you can be sure that the information shared is accessible and visible for everyone.

 Watch the Video

 Visit BIMobject

Artlantis 4.1 Plug-ins

Artlantis 4.1 has a different file format than that of version 4.0. Therefore, the exporters have been updated. The following export plug-ins are now available to download;

• ArchiCAD 14 and 15 (16 installs Artlantis 4.1 export plug-in by default)

• Vectorworks 2012

• Revit 2012 and 2013

• SketchUP 8

Artlantis 4.1 can open all .atl files belonging to the previous versions. As a result, users owning an earlier version of their CAD software can also choose Artlantis 4.1 for their visualization tasks. The Artlantis project file can easily be updated in case they need to change the CAD model by using the reference file feature from inside Artlantis: File menu > Use Reference File

 Download the Export Plug-ins

 Download the Artlantis 30-day Demo

 Artlantis Pricing and Ordering

All's Well That's Maxwell

The standout feature in Artlantis 4.1 is undoubtedly the optional Maxwell Render engine. Maxwell Render is legendary for its physically accurate rendering engine, generating hyper-realistic images that rival photographs. With the addition of this engine in Artlantis, you will have access to both the fastest rendering engine and the most accurate rendering engine on the market today...truly the best of both worlds. We'll discuss some of the logistical issues with the new Maxwell Render engine, then delve into some of the important benefits, to give you an indication of where the Maxwell Render engine might best fit into your workflow.

The Maxwell Render engine is automatically installed with Artlantis 4.1 and runs in a watermarked demo mode for 30 days. To use it to generate a rendering, simply select "Maxwell Render..." under the Inspector menu. Naturally, to achieve the higher levels of quality possible with the Maxwell Render engine, there is a significant rendering time increase when compared to the Artlantis engine (could be 5, 10, or even 20 times longer, depending on how long you let it run), so it's important to do some testing to get a feel for what to expect so that you can plan your projects accordingly. Because it is an add-on product licensed from Next Limit Technologies, the purchase of a separate serial number is required. At this time, there are no upgrade or side-grade discounts on this product for existing Maxwell Render owners.

Even if you already own the stand-alone Maxwell Render product, there are some compelling reasons why the Maxwell Render engine for Artlantis is a good investment. First, because Artlantis offers a faster rendering engine, it makes sense to start your rendering project in Artlantis to be able quickly produce preliminary renderings. Should the need arise to create higher quality renderings using the Maxwell Render engine, you'll already have most of your project set up done...just a few tweaks (i.e. applying the dedicated Maxwell Shaders to reflective and refractive surfaces, such as metals and glass) and you're ready to go. Furthermore, the Artlantis user interface is simpler to use and easier to master, so there is no need to get bogged down in the complex interface of the stand-alone Maxwell Render software in order to get the benefits of its rendering engine. Finally, the Maxwell Render engine costs $250 less than Maxwell Render stand-alone, making it an incredible value for both Artlantis users and existing Maxwell Render users alike.

Try the new Maxwell Render engine out for yourself and see what it can do for your renderings.

 Maxwell Render Pricing and Ordering

 Download the Artlantis 30-day Demo

 Artlantis Pricing and Ordering
 Maxwell Render Tutorial - Reverse a normal for neon effect

 Maxwell Render Tutorial - Easy reflections and shininess settings

Artlantis 4.1 - Using adapted Maxwell Render Shaders

In certain cases, to maximize the accuracy of renderings calculated with Maxwell Render engine, you may need to use adapted shaders. They are able to react properly to the engine's capacity. This is why you'll find specific Maxwell materials converted into Artlantis shaders right in the basic media Catalog.

 Watch the Video

 Download the Artlantis 30-day Demo

 Maxwell Render for Artlantis Pricing and Ordering

We the People Promo...A Popular Uprising

The popular uprising has begun. The people have taken to the streets, and they're on sale! No, this is not some vulgar red light district sale. This is a red, white and blue special. From July 4 through August 15, you can take home one or more selected collections of Artlantis Animated 3D People for a great price.

In order to keep the peace, we are pleased to offer you a savings of $17.76 on each of the selected Artlantis Animated 3d People volumes. Since no tea party is complete without cream and sugar, we're sweetening the deal by offering an additional 5% discount if you purchase all 3 collections in one order (by using coupon code "people+5%" during checkout).

 We the People Product Pricing and Ordering

 Preview Animated 3D People Business 1

 Preview Animated 3D People Casual 6

 Preview Animated 3D People Workers 1