Professional articles | Blog | ARCHLine.XP

ARCHLine.XP LIVE is an easy to use stand-alone Archviz application that can bring your 3D models to life.

The aim of the architectural visualization is to present the 3D model completed with its surroundings without any complicated tools.

ARCHLine.XP LIVE has a direct connection to ARCHLine.XP, moreover OBJ files can also be imported without any data loss.

ARCHLine.XP LIVE enables the real time visualisation of  the architectural and interior design spaces, by adding high quality materials, the sun position, light sources, vegetation, water and other environmental features.

 

What are the benefits?

ARCHLine.XP LIVE gives an accurate and stunning image of the project within minutes.

You can save hours spent on rendering as there is no rendering time.

It means you can react to your clients' modification requests immediately, regardless of the size and complexity of your project.

 Adding people, cars, trees, and flowers to the architectural model will bring breath-taking new experience to clients in a few moments.
 

Guide to Learn ARCHLine.XP LIVE

 There are 6 main steps to create images and animation:

1) Import 3D Model

ARCHLine.XP LIVE gets the completed 3D model from ARCHLine.XP CAD/BIM model software. It is a one-way connection, there is no backlash.

2) Materials

ARCHLine.XP LIVE built-in library contains high quality materials as real-life water, glass, metal, wood, flooring, vegetation, etc.

You can replace the original imported materials on the 3D model to LIVE materials.

3) 3D objects

Place built-in 3D objects to refine the scene. Add people, cars and trees, plants, effects like fire or smoke.

4) Lighting

ARCHLine.XP has a wide range of built-in lighting design features. If you like to represent the interior design spaces make sure that the model has sufficient number of light sources before importing to ARCHLine.XP LIVE.

5) Sun position, Shadow simulation

Date and time slider to display the variable shadow during a day or a particular hour during the year.

With these settings find the best illumination.

6.a) Save images

Saved views in ARCHLine.XP can be also found in ARCHLine.XP LIVE and selected with one single click.

Start the navigation in your model.

To show the completed model entirely it worth creating and saving new perspective views.

6.b) Save animation

The animation paths saved in ARCHLine.XP can be also viewed in ARCHLine.XP LIVE, so we can save video files from them. 

 
Workflow
1. Prepare the project in ARCHLine.XP
 
In order to achieve the desired results in ARCHLine.XP LIVE, it is worth preparing the project in the ARCHLine.XP program before exporting it. The preparations for interior design plans are the following:
 
First, furnish the interior and prepare it as if you were going to render.
 
Set the materials using the Render Styles. Drag and drop the selected styles to objects and architectural elements. Special attention should be paid to Wall, White Ceiling, Emissive Render Styles.

 

 
Then add light sources to the project and make sure to have them turned on.

 
Finally, set up perspective views for easier navigation.

 
2. Import project to ARCHLine.XP LIVE

Activate the 3D window and click on View – Rendering – ARCHLine.XP LIVE.

 

The export starts automatically and includes the 3D model with following content: colours/textures, rendering styles, light sources, North direction, sun position, saved perspective views and animation path.

 ARCHLine.XP LIVE starts and displays the model. 

 
 
3. Working with LIVE materials
 
Apply the LIVE materials to improve the image quality. Use drag and drop to change some materials, like glass, grass, pavement, chrome, parquet, metals. 
 
Change the material of the floor. Use the drag and drop method to drop a parquet material to the floor.

 
Also replace the fabrics on the bed.

All instances mode:
Before following next steps, please switch off the All instances mode. When this option is off, then the matching materials can be changed individually.

Change the material of the furniture to a wooden texture and pay attention to change the metal material of the handles.
 

Navigate to another view, as we do in ARCHLine.XP, to see the wardrobe well. Change the material to cork. You can do this in one step with the help of the previously enabled All instances mode.

Navigate out of the room and change the material of the slab in front of the window to Grass to create a credible sight from the window. 


 

4. Working with LIVE objects

In the next step add LIVE objects. Use drag and drop to add trees, plants, pillows etc. Check now how trees are bending in the wind.

Place pillows on the bed. To do this, you can freely delete the old ones after selection. The exact positioning is easy due to the move and rotate commands.

 

Delete the old curtains and place new ones.

 

Place potted plants in the plan.

 

Move the time slider to an evening time and navigate to a view where you can see the chest of drawers. Add candle flame effects to the scene. 

 

5. Light settings 

Select the lamp on the bedside table and open the light source manager. Here you can turn the light sources on and off.

 

You can adjust the brightness.

 

You can set the color of the lamp.

 

You can also set it to behave as a real shadow caster, not just a helper light.

 

6. Sun setting, shadow simulation

Find the best view of your model before saving the images.

We can play the shadow simulation on the given date if we click on the play button next to the slider.

Evening time:

 

Morning time:

 

 

 7. Saving Images

To display the model in its surrounding environment it is recommended to set and save new perspective views. In case you want to refresh the current views, click on the lens icon next to the + button.

 

Click on the folder icon to view and browse all images: