SOLIDWORKS Visualize SP2 is Here!

SOLIDWORKS Visualize probably the fastest, most accurate and easy to use rendering tool in the world.

If SOLIDWORKS made rendering tools…… oh wait we do! When SOLIDWORKS brought out SOLIDWORKS Visualize just over a year ago, we were amazed by how it took the quality of our Photo-realistic images to a whole new level with very little effort. 

However for many images we were reaching for “Accurate” mode which while it does what it says on the tin in achieving amazing results it could take a bit longer to churn out those stunning images. Now almost like a birthday present to celebrate 1 Year of Visualize we have the new improved “Fast Mode” in SOLIDWORKS Visualize 2017 SP2 in March.

 

This is now suited to most situations/ products, even those with lots of transparent appearances, scenes where light must bend and bounce to give a better representation of the product.

 

I’m going to let the results do the rest of the talking from here. All renders done at 1920x1080 using GPU mode on Dell Precision 7710 Laptop with NVIDIA Quadro M3000M

Example 1 - Engineering Product

Fast Mode - 2017 SP1 and Previous Versions

Render Time - 32 Seconds

 

Fast Mode - Quality 2017 SP2 Onwards

Now the main difference between Fast mode and Accurate is the light from the LEDs on the handle do not reflect off other objects. In fast mode emissive (light appearances) do not contribute light to the scene but will glow realistically.

Render Time - 26 Seconds

 

Accurate Mode - 1000 Passes

Render Time - 3 Mins 25 Seconds

Again, spot the difference vs Fast mode, the main difference being the lights, this could be compensated for in Visualize Professional using the Bloom post processing filter to blur the bright areas.

2017 SP2 Fast Mode - Speed  

We even have a new option for “Speed” mode within options which makes “Fast” mode even quicker, albeit with some compromises

Render Time - 12 Seconds

Even this produces a passable result in a mere 12 seconds albeit with some additional shadowing that isn’t true to life.  

 

Example 2 - Products with multiple transparent parts

 

Fast Mode - 2017 SP1 and Previous Versions  

Render Time - 52 Seconds

Note the dark areas where light is not bending  to travel through the casing,

 

Fast Mode - 2017 SP2 Onwards

Some improvement over Fast quality however if you weren’t looking for the differences you may not spot them 

 

Accurate Mode - 1000 Passes

 

Fast Mode - Speed 2017 SP2 Onwards

Clearly this new mode isn’t suited to complex items with lots of transparency the compromises in the bends and bounces of light mean this object isn’t lit correctly. 

 

Example 3 - Product Design Render

 

Here is where you will see least difference, hard bodied plastic/painted and many metal products were just fine with Fast mode already. So I’ve chosen some a model with emissive appearances and reflective floors I know will show differences.

Fast Mode - Versions 2017 SP1 and Prior Versions 

Render time - 60 Seconds

 

Fast Mode - Quality 2017 SP2 Onwards

Render Time - 55 Seconds

 

Accurate Mode - 1000 Passes 

Render Time - 4 Mins 23 Seconds

Note how we get the LED emissive appearance bouncing off other objects giving a much more realistic effect and a better blurry reflection on the floor.

 

Fast Mode - Speed 2017 SP2 Onwards

Render Time - 23 Seconds

 

 

Example 4 - Interior Scene

Fast Mode - 2017 SP1 and Previous Versions  

Render Time - 39 Seconds

 

Fast Mode - Quality 2017 SP2 Onwards

Render Time - 54 Seconds

 

Fast Mode - Speed 2017 SP2 onwards

Render Time - 25 Seconds

Clearly this is a less realistic representation however it is nice and bright, just lacking shadows and details to make things seem realistic. However could be useful for live presentations and when quick representations are required

 

Accurate Mode - 2000 Passes (interiors typically require 2000-5000 passes to reduce noise)

Render Time - 31 Mins 20 Seconds

Now clearly accurate mode still has its place for certain situations, such as interiors however now the results from fast mode are much improved these suit the vast majority of products especially when quick results are required, this is likely to only improve over time. 

Other additions to 2017 SP2 include faster viewport interactions so your zooming, panning and rotating will be much smoother and improvements to the update system so that if a SOLIDWORKS model is updated SOLIDWORKS Visualize will prompt you the next time you open the file to see if your wish to update your Visualize Project also.

 

Alan Sweetenham

Elite Applications Engineer