What software or technique was used to create these images?

[danb4026]

I have been asked to produce images in the style of the attached JPG's. I am not sure what software was used. It could be Photoshop, Autodesk Impressions, Piranesi or something else.

 

What would make accomplishing this style from either PDF's or CAD the easiest?[ATTACH]38091[/ATTACH][ATTACH]38092[/ATTACH]

[mattclinch]

just photoshop over the top of an ele.

[danb4026]

So you think they brought the linework from CAD into photoshop by printing to a raster printer, scaled it properly and then started PSing it?

 

I have to try and get this technique down pretty quickly, but haven't done one yet. Any suggestions?

[jinsley]

I would go with PS too...

 

hope you are working with a good client, I always foresee frustration and stress when I hear of viz guys being asked to replicate other peoples styles.

[jinsley]

So you think they brought the linework from CAD into photoshop by printing to a raster printer, scaled it properly and then started PSing it?

 

I have to try and get this technique down pretty quickly, but haven't done one yet. Any suggestions?

 

Plot a pdf at full size, create a ps document at full res and the proper dimensions, and place the pdf at 100%...

 

that should give you a good starting point...

[danb4026]

I have been working with this client for a long time, typically producing photorealistic renderings. They have some plan and elevation work that is going to require some fast turn around for design purposes and I thought that this would be a good method since they are not 3D.

[jinsley]

I have been working with this client for a long time, typically producing photorealistic renderings. They have some plan and elevation work that is going to require some fast turn around for design purposes and I thought that this would be a good method since they are not 3D.

 

PS is what you make it... although I couldn't see colouring up a set of elevations taking more than a day.

 

Take a few seconds here and there to document your process the first time around so on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th elev you can mimic the process to get the same look and you will do it faster.

[danb4026]

Thanks James

[ruskie77]

Have a look at autodesk impression...

http://download.autodesk.com/us/impression/2009overview/index.html

[danb4026]

Right now I only have PDF's to work with, so Impressions cannot be used.

 

In terms of working with PDF's in PS, should I convert the PDF to a Tiff or PNG and then open in PS? When I simply open a PDF in PS it rasterizes it and I seem to lose a lot of detail, making selections difficult.

[jinsley]

Create a PS document at the proper dimensions...

 

File -> place -> select your pdf -> crop to media.

 

make sure the scale is 100% and that you have "rasterize" checked

 

this will make the pdf a smart object in the PS document. Now if they send you updates, you can just update the smart object by right clicking on the layer...

[easy3dsource]

Another possibility is to use illustrator. When you open a pdf in illustrator (assuming it hasn't already been rasterized) the linework comes in as vector graphics. You can then set the pdf file on a locked layer above the rest of the textures and images that you bring in so that the linework reads strongly on top.

[maciejwypych]

If you don't want to rasterise your drawing then use Illustrator or Corel instead of Photoshop, although I've found that PS is a bit quicker.

When you rasterise your pdf be careful with your dpi setting, keep it at least 300 dpi for larger prints or even 600 if the drawing is A4 or A3 so you don't loose detail.

[ruskie77]

And then you could dxf export out of illustrator which would allow you to use all the (extremely quick) features of Impressions.

or you could use illustrator brushes for that water colour fill technique, and then res wont matter.

[danb4026]

Russ, I am unable to bring the file in in dxf format. Is there a reason you chose that over dwg?

 

Maciej, rasterized the file and brought in at 600dpi. Looks good and has a transparent background.

 

Where can I find assets to place in the plans (furniture etc)? Impressions has blocks of plants, people, cars, but no furnishings. For photoshop I cant find anything.

[ruskie77]

not really, you should be able to do either format out of illustrator... impression only works on 2d layer, i think (I may be wrong though)

 

dxf is "Drawing eXchange Format" and is usually more friendly to other software, whereas DWG is native autocad. if impressions only takes DWG's then use those out of illustrator.

 

If it's blocks for furniture that you want, then try autocad architecture... you're really having to go around the houses on this one!

[danb4026]

Haha....you know, I never thought doing a 2D plan would be such a pain, I'm a 3D guy.

 

Take a look at the attached PDF of the site plan they want. This is a rather large project for someone that hasn't really done this format before.

[ruskie77]

if your job is just to "colour it in" I would really recommend you try and get your hands on their original DWG (although this looks a little like Vectorworks to me)

 

That will save you hours, because everything will be nicely organised into its layers already.

 

what's your brief and deadline? and if you dont mind me being nosey, what budget do they have? dont take it on, if the budget isnt reasonable. (I wont be offended if you want to keep the money-side private)

[danb4026]

I asked for the original DWG's but havent received them yet. I thought I would try and get a head start so that I could familiarize myself with the techniques.

 

I have no idea how to price this because I do not know how long it will take, having not done it before. Any suggestions??

 

I have attached the floor plan they want aswell. So it looks like I will be doing colored plans for the site plan and the attached interior (called out in the red square). And then I will be doing 3D for a Childrens Playroom and Gym.

[ruskie77]

well, If you're familar with the world of 3D, why not model and texture it in 3D and shoot it top-down.. orthographic... at least that way, you're keeping your learning curve to a minimum, and you'll have a ground texture ready for when you have to do the 3D aspect.

 

also, doing faux 2d in a 3d environment will keep everything in the world that you know and you can price accordingly.

 

just a suggestion..

[danb4026]

I was going to do that, but when I looked at the site plan I realized that it that the work would be very extensive and perhaps out of their budget, based on the reference of image they sent me (attached)

[ATTACH=CONFIG]38104[/ATTACH]

[wasteland giant]

^

 

that doesn't take long to do. 1 day max. 4 hours min

[danb4026]

Roberts, you say that the site plan would only take a few hours? I am acutally doing it in Impressions right now, but the layers are so F'ed up that its taking me forever...all day so far. But it is the first time I have used Impressions,

[wasteland giant]

I'd do it in photoshop illustrator + use/make your own fills (really not that hard).

 

This sort of work is about having a library of ready made 2D aerial/top down pics of furniture + whatnot.