Render AutoCAD files in 3ds Max

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Linking an AutoCAD file into 3ds Max allows you to assign materials,

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set up cameras and lighting, then render the model.

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Rendering creates a 2D image or animation based on your 3D scene.

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It shades the geometry of the scene using the lighting you set up,

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the materials you apply, and environment settings, such as the background and atmosphere.

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Having a pre-configured 3ds Max project file that contains a basic environment

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can help when rendering an AutoCAD file in 3ds Max.

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From the File menu, click Open.

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In the Open File dialog, choose the desired 3ds Max project file,

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such as AutoCAD Rendering_Start.max in this example.

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Then, click Open.

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This file is preconfigured with a Sun and Sky environment, a Physical camera,

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and Physical Camera Exposure Control.

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The next step is to link the AutoCAD file to 3DS Max.

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From the toolbar, expand the File drop-down, then choose Toolbar > Import > Link AutoCAD.

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In the file browser, navigate to the import folder of the DWG you want to link.

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In this example, the file Facility_Building.dwg is selected to link.

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Then, click Open.

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The Manage Links dialog opens.

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Expand the Preset drop-down and make sure that DWG File Saved from AutoCAD is selected.

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Also, choose Attach this file.

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The AutoCAD file is now linked.

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The file displays in the viewport.

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From the Physical Camera viewport label menu, select Show Safe Frames.

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The yellow Safe Frame provides a guide to show you the full view of the rendering as it is seen through the camera.

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Otherwise, some of the rendered view may be cut off,

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depending on the rendering size and viewport shape.

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From the main toolbar, click Render Setup.

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In the Render Setup dialog, because this file is pre-configured, the renderer is already set to Arnold.

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From the Common tab, in the Output Size group,

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expand the drop-down and select the HDTV size option.

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Note that adjusting the frame size also changes the Image Aspect and Pixel Aspect.

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Also, when the frame size increases, the render time increases.

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Finally, open the Arnold Renderer tab.

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Here, you can set the Render Quality by changing the sample values.

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Increasing the values increases the quality, but it also increases the render time.

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When you are ready to render the scene, click Render.