11: Twinmotion Rendering

Introduction

In this class, students will learn how to move a model from Revit to Twinmotion using the FBX format, then apply and refine materials, lighting, and atmospheric effects to achieve lifelike results. They’ll explore adding vegetation, creating camera views, and exporting high-resolution images or videos. Techniques for using Twinmotion’s section tool to create cutaways will be covered, along with adjusting white balance, implementing normal mapping for more realistic textures, and modifying line styles in floor plan views. Finally, students will learn how to manage object styles for furniture and finalize the overall layout, ensuring a polished, professional presentation.

Video Recording

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Step 1: Prepare Your Revit Model

  1. Clean Up the Model: Remove unnecessary or hidden geometry that wont appear in the exterior render to keep file sizes manageable.
  2. Verify Materials & Naming: Assign clear, descriptive names to your materials in Revit. Proper naming helps when replacing or tweaking them later in Twinmotion.
  3. Set Up Views & Levels: Make sure your Revit project has consistent levels and views. Double-check that your exterior geometry is complete and free of errors.

Step 2: Export From Revit to FBX

  1. Activate a 3D View: Switch to a 3D view in Revit that shows all exterior elements.
  2. Use the FBX Export Option: Go to File > Export > FBX. Name the file appropriately (e.g., Project_Exterior.fbx).
  3. Check Export Settings: Include lights, materials, and textures if you need them in Twinmotion.

Step 3: Import Your Model Into Twinmotion

  1. Open Twinmotion: Start a new project or open an existing scene.
  2. Import FBX: Go to File > Import, choose your FBX file, and select Keep Hierarchy to retain the Revit structure.
  3. Confirm Scale & Position: Ensure the models units and orientation match your scene requirements.

Step 4: Apply and Refine Materials

  1. Twinmotions Material Library: Drag and drop preset materials onto your model from the library.
  2. Custom Materials: Import custom textures if necessary, and tweak their properties in the material panel.
  3. Use Normal Maps: Apply normal/bump maps to surfaces (e.g., brick, concrete) for added realism.

Step 5: Adjust Lighting & Environment

  1. Sun Orientation: Utilize Geolocation or manual Sun controls to match real-world location or desired lighting angles.
  2. Weather & Atmosphere: Experiment with Cloudiness, Fog, Wind, or Season sliders for your ideal mood.
  3. White Balance & Exposure: Use the Camera settings to fine-tune color temperature and exposure for a polished look.

Step 6: Add Landscaping & Context

  1. Vegetation & Trees: Browse Twinmotions Vegetation library for trees, shrubs, and grass. Position them to frame and enhance your exterior scene.
  2. Terrain & Landscape: Adjust ground materials, sculpt terrain, or add water features if your design requires them.
  3. Contextual Elements: Include sidewalks, street furniture, or neighboring structures to give your rendering a sense of realism.

Step 7: Set Up Camera Views & Animations

  1. Create Static Views: Position the camera to capture the buildings best angles, then save these views.
  2. Add Animations (Optional): If you want a walk-through or fly-around, create a Video Path and set keyframes for smooth transitions.
  3. Section & Cutaway Views: Use Twinmotions Section Tool for cutaways or to showcase interior-exterior relationships.

Step 8: Adjust Line Styles & Object Visibility (If Needed)

  1. Floor Plan View Adjustments: Modify Line Styles and Visibility if you need specific plan-level or schematic-style presentations.
  2. Object Styles & Furniture: Import or load additional objects and furniture to add realism and context.

Step 9: Review & Refine

  1. Composition Check: Ensure that landscaping, lighting, and surrounding elements direct attention to key features of the building.
  2. Color & Contrast: Use Post-Processing controls in Twinmotion to adjust contrast, saturation, or apply a subtle vignette.
  3. Multiple Angles: Render previews from various viewpoints to ensure a consistent, high-quality presentation.

Step 10: Export Final Renders & Videos

  1. High-Resolution Images: Access the Media tab, choose Image or Video, and set your desired resolution (e.g., 4K).
  2. Format Selection: Export images as PNG or TIFF, and videos as MP4. Select quality levels that fit your presentation needs.
  3. Batch Export: If you have multiple views or animations, use Batch Export to streamline the rendering process.