Rendering 3D
To turn your scene into a convincing image, you have to RENDER the image. You'll be asking your computer to use MIND-NUMBING mathematics to simulate realistic lighting and shading. Depending on the complexity of your models and the options you've chosen, this process could take anywhere from mere seconds, to HOURS.
RENDERING RULES
Always be sure you've selected the CAMERA VIEW (keypad-1) before you start rendering
Always make a quick ALIASED test version to make sure it will appear as intended
ANTI-Aliasing takes 10x longer
Images can still be rendered in minutes
Animations may take HOURS - only render at the END of the period, or use a spare computer if any are available
SET the RENDERER
Go to RENDER | RENDERER and choose "SCANLINE"
Frame your shot first
You should set up Anim8or to frame your images in WIDESCREEN format. Old school displays still use "STANDARD DEF" framing - a roughly square shape of frame. Modern displays use WIDESCREEN frames that are more rectangular
Here's how to do it:
Go to SCENE - PROPERTIES - MOVIE IMAGE
For 720P SCENES
Look for the 1280x720 (HD 720p) button and click it to set the proper resolution
For 11"x17" Movie Posters
Choose OTHER FIXED ASPECT near the bottom, and type in 17 : 11 for a poster size
Go back to the top and enter 3400 for the width, and the height should be calculated as 2200
Note these settings simply help you to compose your shot - the resolution is actually defined in the next screen.
Render an Image
Use RENDER - RENDER IMAGE
When you're ready to "take the picture"
SETTINGS:
RESOLUTION
WIDTH and HEIGHT in pixels should be set to 1280 x 720 for a decent webpage widescreen render.
ANITALIASED
Toggle this ON for a higher quality image - OFF for a FASTER render; you could try one of each to see the difference.
On the left side of the RENDERING screen is a SAVE button.
Click SAVE
Click JPG
Click the "three dots" beside the FILE dialogue
Choose a location and create a filename on your P: drive. Hit enter.
When you return to this dialogue, hit OK again
Remember, it isn't saved until you've gone through the full SAVE routing and clicked OK
When you've finished, just hit close.
JPG vs BMP
A JPG is an ideal format - it's small but realistic IF you use a good quality setting like 90
A BMP is the ultimate quality, but it's file size is massive, and few people can tell the difference between a good jpg and a bmp
You're done! You can INSERT the jpg into your portfolio now!
ADVANCED RENDERING
11x17" POSTER PRINTING
If you need to send it to a professional printer to create a photograph or poster, you'll need to SAVE your JPG in the correct ASPECT RATIO, FILE FORMAT and RESOLUTION
Rendering a MOVIE
Click RENDER - RENDER MOVIE
Choose an appropriate FILE location and name
Set the width to match intended frame size (ie 800x450)
Choose ANTIALIASED for a FINAL version, turn it off to render a test video
CODECS:
Choose XVID for maximum compatibility
Click OKAY
The program will render each frame of your movie
Vocabulary:
RESOLUTION is the number of required PIXELS in terms of HEIGHT and WIDTH
ASPECT RATIO is the ratio of HEIGHT to WIDTH
ie 4x6 and 5x7 are standard aspect ratios for photographs
FILE FORMAT is the precise type of file that you've created
JPG is an adequate standard for printing these days