Some enhancements to streamline using Sunshader:
1. When saving an image to disk, the Save Image window needs to open in a larger size so the Name/Size/Date etc. are readily viewable and the file path where SunShader is accessing is also clearly shown. Currently, the window needs increasing in size to display the contents and file path,
2. SunShader opens in the folder of the last DataCAD file that used Sunshader even if this is different to the current drawing file. Ideally, it should automatically save to the current drawing folder,
3. Sunshader automatically generates an auto-numbered image which is incremented with each view saved, however, if the path is changed (usually from another project folder to the current drawing folder) and the auto number corrected to be the next sequenced number for the current folder it's now saved to, then the following image(s) that are saved revert back to the earlier auto number and don't continue to increment from the corrected number entered,
4. Add a 'reset view' icon similar to the one in O2C would be most beneficial as the viewing of the model can often get 'lost' or distorted and it would be quicker to reset the view so the model is centred to the screen and perspective settings reset,
5. Add the step up and step down navigation icons to supplement the rotate left/right/up/down,
6. Improve the image quality by removing the occurrences of 'stray' lines that often appear on the surfaces of entities (Sunshader has the ability to become a fairly good sketch presentation tool but is currently let down with unnecessary clutter from these stray lines across the surfaces of entities),
7. Add the ability to save an animation of sun studies showing the sun rising and then setting for a selected time sequence and date. This would be useful in demonstrating to clients the design is compliant with their criteria without the need to be present, ie. government tenders which are assessed without the proponent being present,
8. Add the ability to rotate bitmap textures or set an angle the texture is applied to the 3D entity,
9. Improve the perspective operation - on larger models, particularly with interiors, it gets difficult to move the eye position or the focal point easily to get an acceptable view that doesn't get distorted. I just feel something needs adding or adjusting to make this process easier,
10. Add the option to have all translucent materials (ie. glass) have the side of the 3D entity which has the glass material applied automatically face the camera/viewer. Presently, a 3D model of a building with glazed curtain walling to its facade appears hollow in some views as the model is rotated. What appears to be happening is the glass material is displayed on the opposite side of the material. Another option could be to simply display glass on both faces of the polygon so it's visible from both sides in any view?
11. Improve the shading as from time to time the output has 'leaks' where the shadow extends off into space or passes through the building when it shouldn't,
12. Add additional camera options whilst minimizing view distortion allowing wide angle views including the ability to capture tall buildings/items outside the current frame and field of view. There's a specific name for this (just can't recall it - shiftlens??
) but it essentially works by tilting the lens and moving it to look almost in parallel to remove the distortion effect where the building looks likes it's falling inwards,
13. Add the ability to save a 3D file of the Sunshader model, similar to O2C, so it can be emailed to clients/consultants along with a standalone viewer,
14. When opening and reopening the layer menu, have it in an expanded size as it is currently condensed and even after increasing the menu window size it reverts back to its smaller original size on reopening,
15. Add the ability to reassign materials to 3D entities whilst being in Sunshader using a mouse pointer to touch a surface, have it highlight to identify it, then a materials palette menu opens allowing material reassigning