Share

Visualization updates (2024)

Alias 2024 uses the same core rendering technology as previous versions, but the interface has been updated to make working with shaders, lights, and environments easier and faster.

Shading workflow improvements

Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
/
Duration 3:51
Loaded: 0%
0:00
Progress: 0%
 
1x

Video contents

  • In Alias 2024, all visualization related editors are now accessed directly from the Visualization menu they can be displayed in the work environment at the same time.
  • You’ll also notice that the Visualization menu does not include render or direct render options. Software rending in Alias has been deprecated.
  • To begin your shading and texturing workflows, select the Visualization workspace.
  • All the editors you need for creating and assigning shaders, texturing, and lighting are open and docked around the Alias environment.
  • Notice that the Multi-lister is now called the Shader Lister.
  • It's also been updated to only focus on shader and environment workflows such as creating, assigning, and listing shaders.
  • For lighting workflows, you can now use the new Light Lister and Light Editor.
  • In the Shader Lister, adjust the size and shape of the shader preview from the Settings menu.
  • You can also choose from a selection of shader preview models.
  • Shader previews now display in the Shader Editor along with the shader parameters.
  • All adjustments can be seen in real time.
  • The new Shader Library replaces the Visualization Control Panel from previous versions of Alias.
  • The new library has also been redesigned to closely resemble the VRED Material Editor.
  • Adjust the preview size of the shader balls from the Settings menu.
  • Use the menu to access your shading library such as your Automotive Assets and to import new shaders.
  • You can also add the custom shaders that you're working on in the Shader Lister.
  • Simply drag them into your new Shader Library so that they are available for use at any time.
  • Drop and drag functionality has been extended in the new shading workflow.
  • This includes dragging environments from the Shader Library.
  • You can then edit the environment parameters or add your own image using the Environment Editor.
  • Notice that the environment swatches now have an icon which makes them easy to identify in the Shader Lister.
  • To create custom shaders, drag them from the library and drop them into the Shader Lister for editing.
  • Use options from the More menu to create layered shaders and switch shaders.
  • As you work with layered shaders and switch shaders in the Shader Editor, you'll see a list of the shader used along with a preview and their properties.
  • There are now more ways to quickly assign shaders to objects.
  • The easiest way is to left-mouse-drag a shader from the Shader Lister onto single surfaces in the viewport. to objects.
  • To replace a shader assignment, middle-mouse-button-drag the shader onto the shaded objects.
  • All objects and components with the previous assignment now have the new shader.
  • Another way to replace a shader is to click a shader swatch and then select the Pick Objects icon.
  • All objects with this assignment are selected.
  • Click the replacement shader swatch and then select the Assign to Objects icon.
  • You can also assign a shader by dragging it onto a layer, group, or component in the Object Lister.
  • This method lets you quickly and precisely make assignments.

For more information, see the following:

Texture workflow improvements

Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
/
Duration 2:42
Loaded: 0%
0:00
Progress: 0%
 
1x

Video contents

  • Applying texture maps in Alias 2024 has been streamlined.
  • So now the texture editor can appear alongside the Shader Editor rather than swapping with it.
  • And the primary assignment is now the image here in this main section up at the top.
  • And then after that, you can choose or change the projection type here in this new Mapping tab.
  • So I'll start with this simple UV map, and then here I have all the usual 2D placement sliders.
  • And then this image tab has all the settings related to the graphics, so I can add a bit of green or tone it down a bit.
  • Up at the top, you've got an on/off button for the texture or you can delete it completely here.
  • Mapping other channels works in the same way.
  • So for Bump, for example, when there's no slider value, then there's just the mapping button here.
  • So again, I'll start with the image but this time I'll choose a procedural texture, so Noise, for example, and the noise parameters appear here.
  • And over on the Mapping tab,I can now switch from a 2D UV texture to one of the 3D solid textures.
  • And now the 3D placement tools appear at the top.
  • So here I can display the green placement cube and here I can turn wrap on.
  • And here is a new move texture option.
  • So I'll close these and then turn on the manipulator for the green placement cube and then I can move it and scale it.
  • But what I can also do now is switch the source to a file image for example.
  • And then I've kept all this positioning and placement without having to rebuild the texture.
  • And I've got the image parameters here to just fine tune the texture.
  • And then this third icon on the top is just a shortcut for turning off the placement cube display.
  • And then finally, the stencil texture is now integrated into the image tab.
  • So here is a shader that already has a 3D graphic on it, but I can change that to a decal by selecting Stencil and then loading in a mask image and then the white areas of the mask revert to the base shader color, so that I've got a decal that I can move around with the texture placement.

For more information, see the Texture Editor.

New Light Lister and Light Editor

Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
/
Duration 0:49
Loaded: 0%
0:00
Progress: 0%
 
1x

Video contents

  • Alias 2024 includes a new Light Lister and Light Editor.
  • Create a new light by clicking the Create Light icon.
  • Each new light displays in the window along with controls for toggling the light and shadows on and off.
  • Double-click the light to rename it.
  • If the Light Editor is not already open, clicking the Edit Light icon will opens it.
  • You can then adjust the parameters of the selected light.

For more information, see the following:

Was this information helpful?