There are a variety of programs which utilize the Mental Ray rendering engine, or one of several others, to create highly realistic renderings of your project based on a model.

• 3D Studio Max Design
• Autodesk Revit Architecture
• Autodesk AutoCAD Architecture

Rendering in Revit Architecture

This video, created by the Student Experts at TU Graz in Austria, will take you through the basic steps of setting up a sun study in Revit and creating a photo-realistic render using the mental ray rendering engine.

Export Revit to 3D Studio Max Design

This video will take you through the process of exporting from Revit Architecture to 3D Studio Max Design via the .FBX file format.

Receive and manage upstream design changes from Autodesk Revit Architecture software with the FBX File Link. This intelligent handling of data helps reduce rework of visualizations in 3ds Max Design when original designs are revised and refined, supporting nonlinear decision making processes and facilitating collaborative, iterative workflows. Designers can also take advantage of new import options to group incoming materials, helping to optimize and simplify management of complex data sets. Learn more about 3ds Max Design: http://www.autodesk.com/3dsmaxdesign

Working with Lights in 3dsMax

This series of tutorials will take you through the process of creating a photorealistic rendering from a model. Using the three tutorials in this series, you will develop an understanding of how light is simulated within the program. Learn how to depict light realistically, and use a combination of natural light and artificial light to illuminate your building project.

Part I - Basics of Rendering & Lighting in 3ds Max

This movie introduces the basic concepts of lighting and rendering a scene in 3ds Max. It discusses the existing tools and how to use them. It also highlights the differences between the two main rendering engines available in 3ds Max, the Scanline Renderer and the Mental Ray Renderer.

Part II - Lighting a Scene in the Daylight System

In this movie you learn to light a scene using the Daylight System. This system simulates the correct characteristics of the sun, such as intensity, angle and movement at a given location.

Part III - Night Scenes & Artificial Lighting

In this movie you learn to light a night scene using artificial lighting. You will be using Photometric lights for their physical accuracy and their ease of use.

It discusses the existing tools and how to use them. It also highlights the differences between the two main rendering engines available in 3ds Max, the Scanline Renderer and the Mental Ray Renderer.