{"id":3582,"date":"2020-10-08T10:59:59","date_gmt":"2020-10-08T14:59:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/nx-design\/?p=3582"},"modified":"2026-03-26T04:30:25","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T08:30:25","slug":"nx-render-the-visualization-process-for-heavy-equipment-part2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/nx-design\/nx-render-the-visualization-process-for-heavy-equipment-part2\/","title":{"rendered":"NX Render Blog Series: The Visualization Process for Heavy Equipment – part two"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"visualization<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Enjoying the NX Render series? Register for this webinar on visualizing the Digital Twin for Heavy Equipment!<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Introduction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As you may know already from Part One<\/a> of the NX Render blog series, we are going to be taking you on a deep dive into the visualization process across a variety of sectors. Within this series we will be looking at heavy equipment, with particular reference to the JCB Fastrac<\/a> model. In blog one we discussed how to best set up your model, and in this follow on, we will be taking a look into all things materials. This blog series will be again be accompanied with top tips from in-house visualization expert, Gavin McCambridge<\/a>, to help guide you with his 19 years of industry knowledge.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Research is Key<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s jump into the first step – dealing with materials in such a large model, like the JCB. It is key when preparing to visualize a complex model such as the JCB to familiarize yourself with the product through reference imagery. You need to take your time in researching the model and understanding the details that go into the design, and what makes such established brands, like JCB, stand out. Gavin has given us insight into the best way of beginning this perhaps daunting first move. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018The best way to understand a model is to ask yourself questions. How is it constructed? What are the common features? You need it to look like the real thing, so these are things you really need to consider. If you work for that company, you\u2019re familiar with the color palettes and the materials, but from my side it\u2019s disconnected and needs to be right to look authentic.<\/em>\u2019 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Awareness of the Models Materials<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Understanding the materials on the model\u202fis imperative in creating the best possible render. One of the obvious ways to achieve this is best matching your materials to those on the actual model in your reference imagery. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

 \u2018To kick start the model off, I really look at how the materials work and look. The plastic on the wheels for example, <\/em>really heavy<\/em>, rubberized plastic, that\u2019s where the real texture is; it\u2019s those details you need to look closely at.<\/em> One thing to bear in mind, is how your materials look in the viewport, may differ to the actual render, and so it\u2019s important to go back and forward to check your materials are matching up.<\/em>\u2019 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This stage may seem tedious as you\u2019re flicking from looking at it one way, and then the next, but it\u2019s a huge differentiator for the overall outcome. Think of the textures you see in real life, that\u2019s what you need to try and capture on your model. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"nx<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Creating Your Material Palettes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When working on such a large and complex model, like the JCB Fastrac; having your material palettes set up is helpful for you in terms of time and effectiveness. With this model specifically, Gavin used out-of-the-box NX Render materials. Alongside tweaking a few of these NX materials along the way, Gavin was able to achieve that sense of realism. However, if you are wanting to create your materials from scratch, Gavin stresses that for this model, you would only need twenty of these at the very maximum in your palette, in order to also create such a sense of depth – so no need to get carried away spending time on more! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

 \u2018You,\u202fcould\u202factually do\u202fall the materials and get the palette right in a couple of hours, because there are literally about 20 materials on this and that’s about maximum.\u202fSo,\u202fyou\u2019ve got your metals, which we’ve already got in\u202fNX that\u202fwe\u202fcan just adjust and tweak.\u2019<\/em> Varying the way different materials appear on the model can help create that depth and realism. \u2018something that I considered when I was adding materials to the JCB, the yellow wheel hubs look slightly different in color to the yellow body work. This is because the underlying material beneath the yellow paint is different and therefore the finish appears differently.\u2019<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"JCBFastrac\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Varying Your Color Palette<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Ensuring you vary your color palette, even within the same color is another essential for capturing that sense of authenticity. Look at an artist\u2019s palette for example, you don\u2019t just see the primary colors on there, you see multiple different shades of one color, that combine to create depth. Imagine you\u2019re looking at your JCB model, and everything black is the same uniform black; would that look like a real-life model to you? Obviously, you will have different textures within colors that will naturally change the shade, but spending the time to vary your colors is a simple step in making a huge difference.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018I used several different types of blacks.\u202fI\u2019ve\u202fgot a powder coat of black,\u202fI\u2019ve\u202fgot a glossy black, I’ve got, one that’s a little bit less glossy, a little bit\u202fmore glossy\u202fand it’s just to break up it all\u202flooking\u202fexactly the same\u202feverywhere.\u2019<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Optimizing the Smaller Details<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Once you have your model at a point where you\u2019re happy with the materials, the next step in the workflow is to start optimizing smaller details on the body of the model. We\u2019re going to take a deeper look into the specific model here, and how Gavin has achieved this. To start off, most people know what a JCB looks like, big, yellow and black, with the signature logo across it. At this stage we will investigate those details that make a well-established brand like JCB have its iconic look. But how do you go about ensuring the decals on a model look right? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"JCB<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u2018We started actually looking at decals for it online, because if you just look at one, it might have a decal sat in a certain way, you know because\u202fit\u2019s\u202fthat specific model, but if you look at more you can get common themes that JCB do with their decals. As an example, the one on the engine bay, on both sides, the JCB badge on the front and then JCB always put the actual logo on the door as well. It’s just stuff like that and making sure they sit well.\u2019<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018What you’ve got to remember is once you’ve made a decal on one side, if you’re putting one on the opposite side, you have to basically flip it, but make sure all the text is going the right way. You can’t just reuse the same decal.\u202fSo\u202fyou have to custom make them for either side of it.\u2019<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

All Artists Go Back and Forth<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the same way any artist, of any kind, goes back and forth on their work, it\u2019s important for you to do the same throughout your render process; adjusting colors where necessary, adjusting camera angles when needed and manipulating materials. A big part of the rendering process of a model is learning how is best to work with the model itself. Let\u2019s look specifically at this instance of \u2018back and forth\u2019 with materials and see what Gavin suggests. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018W<\/em>hen you\u2019re working on the materials<\/em>, what you can do is you can drop the tessellation right do<\/em>wn on everything. <\/em>This speeds<\/em> up your machine by reducing the <\/em>smoothness of the lines and curve<\/em>s<\/em>. <\/em>It allows me to quickly <\/em>get a rough idea of what <\/em>a material is <\/em>going to<\/em>\u202flook like, a<\/em>nd then towards the end, <\/em>I<\/em> turn all the setting<\/em>s<\/em> <\/em>back up to<\/em> <\/em>get those <\/em>smooth <\/em>curves<\/em> and<\/em> straighter lines <\/em>back<\/em>.<\/em>\u2019 <\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is something you can repeat and repeat until you feel satisfied you\u2019ve achieved the perfect render. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"JCB<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An easy to miss step in perfecting a render is not adding materials to smaller parts within the model. Perhaps you\u2019re rushed for time, or you have other projects due, however hurrying this step could jeopardize the quality of your render. For example, on this JCB model, if you didn\u2019t add materials to a few nuts and bolts on the exhaust, these parts will stick out in your final image, likely with a bright CAD color. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Again, that’s another important thing about doing high res renders and testing is making sure that you capture all the little bits that may have been missed; going back to the detail inside the\u202fpieces is very important.\u2019\u202f\u202f\u202f<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Taken from the first blog in this series, optimizing your model\u2019s performance is an important step to dramatically speed up your workflow. While the selecting and refining of the materials may feel long and time consuming, particularly with such large models, like the JCB Fastrac 8250, it is well worth the time and effort spent to achieve that final render.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Part 3 of the NX Render series for heavy equipment, we\u2019ll be discussing all aspects around lighting your model and scene. Stay tuned and look forward to having you back in the next instalment! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Continue your journey with NX Render…<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Siemens NX Render Training – Learn More!<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Siemens NX Heavy Equipment On Demand Webinar – Register Here!<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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