Page 1138 - Chief Architect Reference Manual

Chief Architect X10 Reference Manual

for interior views, or cabinet layers for set up a queue of multiple ray trace jobs,
exterior views. See “Layers” on page much like you can queue multiple print jobs
184. for a printer.
• An even more effective way to reduce the Ray traces are generated one at a time, so in
size and complexity of a 3D model is to order for a queue of multiple ray traces to be
use Save As to create a copy of the completed, they must all use Ray Trace
plan, then delete all areas of the model Configurations set to use a defined period of
that do not affect the scene to be ray time or number of passes. See “General
traced. Depending on the scene, you may Panel” on page 1125.
be able to delete entire rooms - or even
entire floors. Do not use the No Limit option when
• Image size is a significant factor in the queueing ray trace jobs.
speed of a ray trace. As you adjust the
lighting and other variables in a scene, To queue multiple ray traces
you can save time by creating smaller ray 1. Start your first ray trace and then return
traces for preview purposes. To do this, to floor plan view without closing the
specify a relatively small image size in ray trace window. See “Working in Mul-
the Ray Trace Options dialog. When you tiple Views” on page 157.
are ready to create a final ray trace, spec-
ify a larger image size. See “General 2. Open or create the next camera view that
Panel” on page 1125. you would like to ray trace.
3. Choose the desired Ray Trace Configu-
CPU Usage ration and begin the ray trace.

Ray tracing is a data intensive process that 4. Repeat these steps to queue as many ray
can require a lot of resources on any traces as you need. As soon as one fin-
computer. You can specify whether Chief ishes, the next one will begin.
Architect or the ray trace engine has access You can work on other tasks on your
to more of your computer’s processor computer while your ray traces run, or you
resources when both are running in the can walk away. You can lock your computer
Preferences dialog. See “Ray Trace Panel” and even turn off the monitor; but do not exit
on page 135. out of Chief Architect or shut down the
computer or your queue will be lost.
Queueing Ray Trace Jobs

Because Chief Architect’s ray trace engine is
a separate process from the program, you can

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