Applying render styles
Render styles are resources that are saved with the file and can be found in the Resource Manager. The Vectorworks program comes with several render styles that are provided in libraries (a selected style is automatically imported into the current file). You can also create custom render styles.
A render style can be deleted from a drawing and/or replaced with another existing render style; see Deleting or replacing resources.
To render a drawing with a render style:
Do one of the following:
Select View > Render Style, and then the desired style from a library or the current file.
Drag a render style resource from the Resource Manager into a design layer of the drawing.
Select a render style from the Current Render Mode menu on the View bar, as described in Rendering modes.
For viewports, select a render style from the Render list in the Create Viewport dialog box, or from the Object Info palette of an existing viewport.
The current render style in effect displays with a check mark on the Render Style menu and the Current Render Mode menu. When a Showcase render style is applied to a design layer, it is indicated by a purple border. The rendering speed depends on the rendering option selected and the number and complexity of objects in the file. To cancel a rendering before it is complete, press the Esc key.
The Render Bitmap tool and batch rendering functionality can also take advantage of render styles.
When a Renderworks background is set from the render style, the option to select a background may not be available when the style is in effect, such as for viewports. The render style's background settings override the Renderworks background settings when a Renderworks background is selected for the style. Similarly, when a render style is in use, any attempt to edit lighting options automatically opens the Edit Render Style dialog box.
Editing applied render styles
Render style parameters that are set by instance can be edited for each viewport or design layer that uses the style.
To edit render style parameters set by instance:
Do one of the following:
For a viewport, on the Object Info palette, click Background Render Settings or Lighting Options.
For a design layer, click the Current Render Mode Options icon on the View bar, or select Edit Render Options from the Current Render Mode menu on the View bar. Alternatively, select View > Set Lighting Options.
The Edit Render Style dialog box opens; only the parameters set by instance are available to edit. See Creating render styles.
Using a heliodon with render styles
Try using a heliodon object in conjunction with render styles to get good rendering results from an existing file. The heliodon creates strong sunlight with soft-edged shadows, while the render style provides soft sky lighting from the panoramic image backgrounds.
To use a heliodon with render styles:
Open an existing model, and set the desired 3D view. (A Renderworks Camera object can help to set and adjust the 3D view.)
Use the Visualization palette to either delete or turn off existing lights in the drawing.
Select View > Rendering > Shaded Options, or select Shaded Options from the Current Render Mode menu on the View bar, and select Use Shadows.
Select View > Rendering > Shaded, or select Shaded from the Current Render Mode menu on the View bar.
From the Visualization tool set, click the Heliodon tool, and place a heliodon object in the drawing. From the Object Info palette, click Solar Animation to interactively adjust the date and time for the heliodon (see Solar studies). This is particularly effective with physical sky Renderworks backgrounds.
Select an appropriate render style.
For exteriors, select either Realistic Exterior Fast or Realistic Exterior Final.
For interiors, select either Realistic Interior Fast or Realistic Interior Final.
