Autodesk Civil 3D
Autodesk Civil 3D
Hello and welcome to the world of RPC. We'd like to begin by thanking all of the loyal enthusiasts around the world that have helped boost the evolution of RPC. Thanks to your support, RPC technology is being used by thousands of customers in over 100 countries around the globe. This manual is specifically for use by customers of AutodCAD 2011.
The evolution of RPC began in 1995 as a quest to integrate realistic human characters into 3D animation scenes. The first Plug-in was launched in 1998 supporting two libraries of people and a single collection of trees. As you can see at www.archvision.com, the collection has grown to include over 100 libraries of people, trees, plants, fountains, automobiles, furniture, and office equipment. We're not stopping there, we continue to develop new image based rendering technologies, and new libraries that take advantage of that technology. Today, RPC All Access is the preferred method to access RPC Content, plug-ins and ArchVision Software.
RPC content comes in a variety of "flavors". Each variation of RPC offers it's own features and benefits, and they are designed to meet your production challenges.
Thanks again for your support. We love to see samples of your work, so take a moment on your next project and send us an image or two.
RPC is the first major commercial product in the evolution of image-based rendering technology. Rather than use complex geometry to represent objects in 3D, RPC technology utilizes image data that is capable of reflecting an incredible richness of detail. The use of continuously updated and synthesized image data creates a stunningly effective 3D illusion.
RPC technology employs a remarkably simple user interface to make the placement of RPC content as simple as drag and drop. In addition to being very easy to use, the key advantages of image-based rendering are extremely high image quality and detail with significantly improved rendering times versus traditional geometry-based solutions. For these and other reasons Autodesk, Inc., Bentley Systems International, Inc., and Robert McNeel & Associates have all adopted RPC technology as their preferred image-object solution.
ArchVision has over 100 collections of content ready for you to use. Our newest libraries also incorporate natural motion cycles, allowing you to place walking people and even fountains into your work, all with just a few quick clicks of your mouse.
A simple icon is used to orient your RPC content within the geometry of your scene. At render time, the RPC plug-in calculates the viewing angle of the RPC object relative to the virtual camera. The appropriate corresponding images are then synthesized, creating the illusion that a complete 3D object exists in the scene.
The RPC Plug-in for AutoCAD/AutoCAD Architecture 2011 features the all new ArchVision Dashboard. You can learn all about the ArchVision Dashboard here.
Currently, RPC content comes in five different types. Each type has certain advantages and qualities. Achieving the full potential offered by RPC can only be achieved with an understanding of each type's characteristics, limitations and benefits.
2D RPCs are used primarily for rendering still images. These RPCs consist of a single image that continually faces the active scene camera. They render quickly and can provide a great deal of complexity and richness in a scene. For animation purposes, they work well in the background or if the camera dollies towards or away from the RPC.
2.5D content can add a considerable amount of life and motion to a scene. These files are similar to the 2D content, except that they consist of an animated sequence that plays during an animation. These files contain only one angle of recorded motion, and will constantly face the camera. 2.5D content works best with locked down cameras and/or dolly shots.
3D content is the most common RPC type. These files are viewable from any angle about the z-axis, but they do not move. They work very well in scenes where the camera turns through the scene, orbiting the RPC.
3.5D content contains character walking cycles and are viewable from any angle around the Z axis. These content files also generate a spline when the RPC is placed in the scene. The 3.5D RPC then follows the spline during an animation sequence. These RPCs work well as secondary or background characters to add additional realism and life to your scene.
RPC 3D+ content is the newest generation of RPC technology. 3D+ content has the ability to be viewed from a Plan View. RPC cars, the first 3D+ content collection, also provides a variety of SMART automobile related controls. These RPCs have a geometric hull underneath.
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