SETTING UP VIEWS IN RHINO
1. PLACING CAMERA + TARGET
View > Show Viewport Properties Panel
In the Viewport Properties Panel, you can set the camera and target two ways. (1) Type
coordinates to place camera and target locations. (2) Place camera and/or target at any
points in your viewport. Use a vertical line as a guide: snap your camera to the line. If you
draw a line that is 5’6” long in the Z direction, your camera will be at human eye height,
approximately. Place a point on your model or anywhere in your viewport, where you
would like to target your view and snap the target to the point.
http://docs.mcneel.com/rhino/5/help/en-us/commands/viewportproperties.htm
http://www.digitaltoolsforarchitects.com/tutorials/rhinoceros/5-29/
2. MANAGING LENS LENGTH
Generally, you will use 28mm-50mm for your
lens length. The smaller the lens, the wider the
angle and the more deformation that will occur.
Smaller lens lengths are most useful when creating
interior shots.
50mm
35mm
10mm
ARCH-­‐DES 541Analysis and Representation II | Spring 2013 | UMass Amherst | Arch + Design Program 3. PARALLEL, PERSPECTIVE, 2 POINT PERSPECTIVE
http://docs.mcneel.com/rhino/5/help/en-us/commands/viewportproperties.htm
Parallel: In a parallel view, all lines are parallel to one another. Identical objects
look identical no matter where they appear in the view. This is also known as
orthogonal view. Not often used when rendering.
Perspective: In a perspective view, you will see a three-point perspective, meaning all
three directions converge to a single vanishing point. This option provides an illusion
of depth: objects farther from the camera will look smaller, as they do to the human
eye. This is an option used when rendering.
Two Point Perspective: In this option, the X and Y directions converge to a single
vanishing point, but the Z direction does not converge. Thus, vertical lines will all
appear to perfectly vertical. This is also an option used when rendering and it may
reduce the appearance of distortion.
Parallel
Perspective
Two Point Perspective
4. SAVING VIEWS
Window > Show Named Views Panel
You can add or delete views that you create. If you’ve placed your camera and
target in a successful way, save that view so you can go back to it later. This will be
helpful when you render your model later on.
http://docs.mcneel.com/rhino/5/help/en-us/commands/namedview.htm
ARCH-­‐DES 541Analysis and Representation II | Spring 2013 | UMass Amherst | Arch + Design Program 5. SELECTING VIEWS
1) Extreme distance or aerial
The extreme distance or aerial view is especially useful for demonstrating your
building’s context. It also helps to convey information about the building’s
overall form and organization.
In the photo to the right, we can see
that the Stata Center is located on an
urban site and is surrounded by many
rectilinear buildings. We can also see
that the building is composed of brick,
monolithic forms and metallic,
curvilinear forms.
2) View from the
street
The view from the street is one of the most common views used when
rendering. It is used to represent the building from the perspective of a
pedestrian on the street. It helps convey the pedestrian approach and does
not show the building in its entirety. For this view, you would set your camera
at eye level.
The photograph to the right seems to
have been taken by a pedestrian
standing across the street from the Stata
Center. The image tells us a bit about
context: we can see a medium rise
building adjacent to the Stata Center.
We get a feeling for the interesting
forms and the mixed materials used on
the façade, but we do not see the whole
building. Most importantly, the image
helps us to imagine what it might be like
to approach the Stata Center from
across the street. The image emphasizes
the human scale and portrays the
building in a realistic and relatable way.
ARCH-­‐DES 541Analysis and Representation II | Spring 2013 | UMass Amherst | Arch + Design Program 3) Interior view
The interior view is an essential view
used in rendering. It helps convey
information about the building’s
interior, including materials,
circulation patterns, lighting,
fenestrations, and other spatial
qualities relating to the human
experience. It is used to help
illustrate what it might feel like to be
inside the space. The interior view
may have sensory qualities,
suggesting ways that the space might
feel or sound.
In the photo to the right, we see a
gallery or atrium-like space in the Stata
Center. The view highlights the
convergence of windows, walls, and ceilings, one of the most essential and unique
components of Gehry’s design. The view also captures the way that light enters the
space and illuminates the planes within. Many of the colors and textures used
throughout the interior of the building are featured here.
4) Extreme angle interior detail
The extreme angle interior detail is
one of the less common used views
for rendering. It is most useful
when you want to highlight a
particular detail of the building’s
interior.
In the photo to the right, we see the
convergence of glazing and ceiling
panels and an angled column. If this
were a traditional building with
orthogonal walls and ceilings, it
would be unlikely that we would capture a view of the place where the walls and
ceiling meet. Here, however, it is useful to capture this view. We see that the ceiling
is comprised of panels, the glazed walls fold to create interesting spaces and the
column is piercing the air at a strange angle. We can also see that this, traditionally
boring place where the walls and ceiling meet, is used to feature art pieces that
hang from space above.
ARCH-­‐DES 541Analysis and Representation II | Spring 2013 | UMass Amherst | Arch + Design Program