What is MicroStation? What is MicroStation? The first issue is accuracy. Modeled files are 100% dimensionally accurate. If something looks surprising in the model, you have an opportunity to make sure it doesn’t end up looking surprising on the job site. How do I get more information? Contact Jud Caswell at judcaswell@caswelleng.com, or call (207) 725-6221.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the benefit of rendering a model over an architectural painting?
What’s happening behind the scenes?
How much time (= money) does this take?
Why should we work with Caswell Engineering?
Okay, we’re sold! What’s next?
How do I get more information?
MicroStation is a full-featured CAD software packaged. It is used in Architectural, Mechanical, and Civil applications worldwide. It has highly effective 3D modeling and visualization capability.
What’s the benefit of rendering a model over an architectural painting?
Another benefit of rendering over typical artist’s renditions is your ability to quickly and inexpensively generate “photos” from every conceivable angle. Want to see what that looks like from above? Below? Just a couple steps further to the left or right? 15 minutes of camera setup and a few more minutes of computer chugging and you have your new perspective.
The final issue is flexibility to make “eleventh-hour” changes. Project going out next week? Want to change the pink granite floor to carpet? 15 minutes to change the material table and you’re set. Next time we generate an image for you, you’ll see the carpet. This also applies to geometric changes in the model.
What’s happening behind the scenes?
We start by drawing elements a 3D file.
Once we have the elements created, we decide how they are going to look, both color and texture.
Next, we decide on how to light the space. We actually place little spotlights in the file to cast appropriate shadows.
Next we decide where in the file to set up our camera. We can use normal, wide-angle or custom lenses for unique perspectives on the model.
Now we generate a jpeg. It’s the virtual picture that our virtual camera is taking.
At this point we can process the image in Photoshop, put it up on the web, or print it out!
How much time (= money) does this take?
There are basically three time-consuming processes here.
• Drawing the model.
• Assigning appropriate materials and lighting.
• Creating high-resolution images or animations.
Drawing the model is potentially time-consuming if we are working from incomplete data or if the design is unusually asymmetric. Time spent here is sheer manual labor and we are very quick at it.
Assigning materials and lighting is time-consuming because it is subjective. We work with you and provide updates on the web to keep us on the right track. It is absolutely critical to get colors right: they are the only thing people notice when they’re wrong. Lighting is important to establishing a sense of 3-Dimensionality. We have a lot of experience cutting to the chase and getting the most bang for your buck.
The last big time-consuming part of the project is the raw computational time it takes to crunch out high-resolution images. We work with small files until we’re ready to go to final printing, and this saves a lot of time. We’ll often let our computers process overnight to save money as well.
Why should we work with Caswell Engineering?
Experience, Quality, Cost-Efficiency, and Communication
Experience
We have spent the last few years providing extensive rendering work for the ongoing renovation of the Maine State House.
Our renderings have figured prominently in presentations to the Governor, Senators, and Representatives of the State of Maine.
Quality
At Caswell Engineering, quality is the first consideration. Our final products are suitable for framing.
Cost-Efficiency
Our commitment to quality extends to other realms of customer satisfaction as well. Our rendering work is disciplined and focused to provide you what you need, when you need it.
Communication
We have state-of-the-art web capability and continuous high-speed Internet access.
Okay, we’re sold! What’s next?
This is our Process:
Step One: Design Communication
You provide us with your design in whatever form you are working in. That could mean emailing us a dxf or faxing us a photocopy of a napkin with dimensions scribbled on.
Step Two: Modeling
Next we use MicroStation, a full-featured CAD package, to realize your design in three dimensions.
Step Three: Initial Rendering
Once our model is complete, we provide you “rough draft” images for your review and comment. We will investigate color, material, lighting and perspective.
We will maintain a project web site — accessible only to you. We have found that working with a web site to facilitate communication allows us to offer multiple iterations of a design per day.
Step Four: Final Rendering
The final stage is the preparation of presentation documents.
This can include:
Glossy Prints
Animations
Web-based Presentations
Poster-Sized Printouts