ICEM Surf | The Visualization evolutionfor Class-A Surface mastering

Dear ICEM Surf masters,

ICEM Surf became the reference in Class-A surface modeling technology over the years, with BEZIER Surface Maths, Functions, Analysis tools and workflow for the "best-in-class" Class-A Surface Creation & Quality. But very few knows that, in addition to modeling capabilities, ICEM Surf went, over the years, through several major evolution in visualization, empowering Modelers with, realtime visual Experience of their design but also to run high quality presentation. This article is highlighting some of these evolution since release 4.9 to the R2018 introduced in May 2018.

ICEM Surf Visualization - the chronological evolution since R4.9

Let me highlight some of the visualization evolution and enhancements that I think are interesting for expert users. Keep in mind that most of these features are available within ICEM Surf Professional, ICEM Surf Realtime Renderer, or ICEM Surf HMD.

SHAPE ANALYSIS - MIRROR DISPLAY

For a comfort of usability, curvature comb are embedded during the mirror display analysis (on the left side picture). A new mirror selection option has been added allowing you to make a selection on the entities you want to display with mirror or not (right side picture).

SHAPE ANALYSIS - LIGHT "TUNNEL" VISUALIZATION

Class-A modelers need to validate their Surface shape with different analysis tools. Let me introduce one of them really useful: "Tunnel Highlight" (black and white lighting zebra). This result is done with the Highlight projection option "cylindrical" and X as projection direction. Look at the example through this short video. A nice features , that I appreciate is the ability to manage, in real-time, the transparency of the Zebra Highlight shader, which allows me to see the Zebra on my car paint material.

AMBIENT OCCLUSION & SELF SHADOWS

The Ambient occlusion technology to used to display shadows in the shape corners .This is used to add realism. On the other side, the self shadows generate shadows from objects to objects and that is very interesting to better understand or communicate the Shapes of your design with a more realistic representation (even if it is still not Physically correct, it brings a very nice perception). The interesting part is that with ICEM Surf Real-time renderer the Ambient occlusion is computed and displayed in real-time.

VIDEO "How to use lights, shadows and ambient occlusion effects"

3D ENVIRONMENT AND HDR images

One of the most important step to make your design realistic is the 3D environment. ICEM Surf offers the capabilities to manage HDR images as 3D cylindrical and spherical environments. By playing with the good lights, shadows and reflexion options, you will be able to give more reality and realistic effects to your product.

Here a video showing how to set your own 3D environment.

CAMERA ANIMATION

...adding animation to your project !

VIRTUAL REALITY - IMMERSIVE COLLABORATION EXPERIENCE

Since release 2018, ICEM Surf can support VR design reviews using "HTC Vive". At any time within ICEM Surf you can launch a VR experience with HMD HTC Vive. Navigate, grab object and several design review capabilities to study & experience your design in VR.

With this new ICEM Surf Immersive 3D experience, users are also able to open their ICEMDB model into the 3DEXPERIENCE platform by giving access to new Visual & Immersive Experience Applications.

Find here an video overview about it.

DELTAGEN CONNECTIVITY

For a few years, ICEM Surf gives you the capability to be dynamically connected with 3DEXCITE Deltagen to improve visualization. ICEM Surf Reference manager tool, embedding materials and geometry display variants, is now supported in Deltagen through ICEMDB files thank to the "auto paint" technology.

Have a look to this video illustration of the "ICEM Surf & DELTAGEN bridge"

Several more visualization capabilities coming soon...

TAGS: Icem Surf