piranesi.co.uk

An imaginative loose sketched image created by Patrick Casey of CODA Architects. Piranesi's Edge Detection technology used to great effect and creative hand drawn entourage items help to add personality to the scene. Click here to see a larger image.

FAQs

Please select your question below and click it to expand to see the answers.

+ HOW DO I ADD A STYLE TO THE STYLE MANAGER?

QUESTION

Piranesi comes with lots of predefined styles but how do I add my own?

ANSWERS

CHANGE YOUR SETTINGS READY TO PAINT, THEN USE NEW STYLE

First change the settings to the style you want e.g. select a brush shape, choose a cutout, select a texture...

Choose New Style by pressing Control+N (or Style->New menu on Mac). If it says that all your style libraries are readonly, create a new one using Library->New->Style Library on the Style Manager's menu (Style->Library->New menu on Mac).

Type a name for the style and add a description if required. Clear any fields you don't want the style to affect; for example, if you want to keep your current colour when you apply this style, clear the Colour field. For texture styles, you often want to clear everything except the Texture field.

Finally, click OK. To apply the style later, double-click the image in the Style Manager then start painting!

+ HOW DO I ADD REFLECTIONS?

QUESTION

I noticed reflections in some of the gallery renderings. How is this done?

ANSWERS

CAPTURED TEXTURES CAN ADD REFLECTIONS TO A SCENE

You can draw reflections in Piranesi by using a texture with the "captured" option.

Click on the texture preview box (under the texture checkbox at the top) to show the Colour and Texture settings, then choose Captured from the dropdown list.

Press the Capture button, and click on the drawing where you want the reflections to be drawn. Then choose the Fill tool and click on the drawing to paint the reflection. Or choose a Brush tool to draw more precisely. You can undo and try again with different settings.

To make the reflection more realistic, try adding a 2D radial fade to make the reflection fade into the distance.

The online Help has more details, and describes the dispersal and scale options - search for "captured" and open the topic "Changing the Texture settings".

+ HOW DO I DRAW IN A MARKER PEN STYLE?

QUESTION

Can Piranesi draw in the style of a marker pen?

ANSWERS

PIRANESI INCLUDES MARKER STYLES FROM WANG WANG

Wang Wang is an accomplished Piranesi artist and has contributed his marker styles to Piranesi users.

To use them, select the Brush tool then click on the down-arrow by the brush image at the top left to see the Style Selector. Change the category to "Wang Wang Markers" and click on a style.

Now paint your drawing. You can change the brush size using the options toolbar at the top, or by pressing the [ or ] keys.

+ HOW DO I DRAW IN A STYLE, SUCH AS WATERCOLOUR?

QUESTION

How can I quickly transform my drawing to match a style, such as watercolour?

ANSWERS

PIRANESI COMES WITH MULTIFILL STYLES FOR MANY EFFECTS

Piranesi has many built-in styles that are easily accessed from the Style Selector for each tool. To see them, select a tool then click on the down-arrow beside the tool image in the top left.

For watercolour, line drawing, soft pencil and more, select the Multifill tool then choose a style from the Style Selector. Click anywhere on your drawing to apply the style.

+ HOW DO I EXPORT A HIGH-RESOLUTION EPIX FROM ARCHICAD?

QUESTION

What are the best settings to use to create a high-resolution EPix file from within ArchiCAD?

ANSWERS

PHOTORENDERING NOT 3D WINDOW EXPORT

The important thing to remember is that you're not exporting a 3D window - you're exporting a photorendering image. You can pick any of the internal engines inside ArchiCAD, though it's up to you if you want to use the Lightworks soft shadows and illumination or whether you want to perform all of your rendering inside Piranesi.

Click this link for a screengrab of the settings dialogs in ArchiCAD to help you.

Make sure that you've got anti-aliasing set to best, so that you get the best result. As you can see, we've created a large 3300-pixels-wide image here at 300 dpi.

+ HOW DO I GET MY MODEL INTO PIRANESI?

QUESTION

I've made my model - how do I open it in Piranesi?

ANSWERS

SEE OUR GUIDE TO COMPATIBILITY WITH OTHER PRODUCTS

Piranesi works with EPix files.

Many modellers have built-in support for Piranesi and can export direct to Piranesi EPix files. And for some modellers, you can download a free plug-in to add Piranesi support.

If Piranesi is not supported by your modeller, you can usually export to DXF or 3DS format, then use our Vedute program to convert it to EPix (Vedute is supplied free with Piranesi).

For full details, please see the Product Compatability page on our web site.

+ HOW DO I MAKE A LIBRARY OF STYLES FROM MY RASTER FILES

QUESTION

I have a collection of texture files that I'd like to use in Piranesi - how do I make styles for them?

ANSWERS

THE STYLE LIBRARY BUILDER CREATES A STYLE LIBRARY FROM A FOLDER OF YOUR RASTER FILES

Use the Style Library Builder to create a style library from a folder of raster files. This can be found on the Library/New/Style Library Builder menu on the Style Manager (or the Style/Library menu on Mac).

Choose a style type (texture, cutout, grain or brush) and browse for the folder of your raster files. Follow the prompts and finally choose a filename for the new style library, and a name for it.

The Style Library Builder then scans the folder and create a style library with a style for each raster file. Styles are created in categories matching the folder hierarchy.

You may need to update the settings of individual styles afterwards e.g. if the files are cutouts with different real-world sizes. To do this, double-click on a style, change the relevant settings, then click New Style (control-N on Windows) and click OK to overwrite the style.

+ HOW DO I MAKE A SUGGESTION OR REPORT A PROBLEM?

QUESTION

If I have an idea for a new feature in Piranesi, or I hit a problem making something work, who can I contact?

ANSWERS

PLEASE CONTACT US BY EMAIL OR VISIT OUR USER FORUM

We welcome all comments, good or bad! And we'll try to help with any problems you have with Piranesi.

Please email us at info@piranesi.co.uk Or post your comments on our User Forum and benefit from the experience of our user community.

If you find a problem, please include as much detail as you can, including any error messages shown. We aim to respond to all emails and forum posts within one working day.

+ HOW DO I UPDATE MY LICENCE?

QUESTION

I've added more users to my licence - how do I install the new licence?

ANSWERS

USE THE PIRANESI LICENSING PROGRAM (ISIADMIN)

Piranesi will ask for your licence details if you have not entered your licence yet, or if a licence has expired.

If you need to update an existing licence, run isiadmin.exe which is in the Program folder on your Piranesi DVD.

Select Piranesi from the "name" dropdown list at the top, then click "Load Licence". Enter your new user limit, validation etc. and click Save.

For network licences, we recommend that each machine reads the Piranesi licence from a shared readonly file. Then you only need to edit this file to change the licence for all users. You can do this when you first enter a licence, or by using isiadmin: on the first machine, enter your licence, uncheck the box "use local machine registry", click Browse, go to the folder and enter a filename, then click OK (or Save) to create the file. On other machines, uncheck the box and Browse for the file. If the file can not be read, Piranesi uses a copy of the licence in the registry.

It is also possible to update the registry directly, please contact us if you need help with this.

+ HOW IS PIRANESI LICENSED?

QUESTION

What's the difference between a single-user licence, a network licence and an educational licence?

ANSWERS

PIRANESI LICENCES ARE SINGLE-USER OR FLOATING

You can read the Piranesi licence agreement in the Literature section of our web site.

A single-user licence can be installed and used on a single computer. The primary user of that computer can have a second copy on a home or portable computer.

A network licence is a "floating" licence. You can install Piranesi on any number of networked computers, but only the licensed number of Piranesi products may be used at the same time. As before, the primary user can have another copy. Network licences are available for two or more users. You can upgrade from a single-user licence, or add more users, at any time.

Educational licences are available as single-user or network licences (single-user educational licences are valid for one year). Educational versions of Piranesi include the same content as the full, commercial, version. If you purchase the full version later, the cost of your educational licence(s) will be refunded.

+ HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO PRODUCE SOME OF THESE IMAGES ON THIS SITE?

QUESTION

How long does it take to produce some of these images on this site?

ANSWERS

GREAT RESULTS IN A VERY SHORT TIME.

Piranesi has such a full complement of artistic and automation tools you can use it in a variety of ways:

1. If you want to get an attractive image from your model within an hour then use the out of the box multifills to totally transform your original model into high quality artistic renders.

2. If you are communicating concepts and need to explain your ideas with figurative images, a mornings work should have you producing a number of new images ready for initial presenatations. Using some of the smart tools such as edge finding and restore brush will help to accelerate the process of making great images and help you to bring your clients attention to the most important areas of the design.

3. High quality images ready for final project presentations can be prepared in a few hours, techniques used during the process of creating the final artwork can be re-used, so you can capitalize on your investment in the future.

+ I AM NOT VERY ARTISTIC BUT REALLY WANT TO CREATE IMAGES LIKE THOSE ON THIS SITE - CAN IT BE DONE?

QUESTION

I am not very artistic but really want to create images like those on this site - can it be done?

ANSWERS

PIRANESI IS AN ARTIST ON THE QUIET...

Piranesi is shipped with many ready-to-go effects allowing you to click once only and watch the tool

interpret your model and present amazing results. There are two main modes of working with Piranesi:

1. Producing great artistic interpretations of your model automatically

2. Creating figurative imagery through of your ideas manually

Within a very short time, using and re-using styles you create and save, it is possible to build up a library of effects. This in turn becomes your palette and can be applied very quickly to each model you create.

+ I HAVE A 2D PAINTING TOOL SO I DONT NEED PIRANESI, RIGHT?

QUESTION

ANSWERS

YES, IF YOU ONLY PAINT IN 2D....

Piranesi has been designed from the outset to be able to understand the geometry of a 3D model and respect it when painting. The notion of distance from the picture plane, perspective, material types and planes are all encapsulated in a 2D image! This knowledge helps to make very onerous tasks in most 2D painting tools very simple and quick in Piranesi.
Piranesi makes light work of producing high quality non-photorealistic renders allowing you to express yourself in the final output by giving you a vast array of tools for your unique style. Alternatively you can sit back and let Piranesi be the artist by using our range of multifills that are ready out of the box.

+ IS PIRANESI THE SAME AS ADOBE PHOTOSHOP?

QUESTION

Is Piranesi the same as Adobe® Photoshop® ?

ANSWERS

NO, PIRANESI KNOWS 3D!

Significant time savings can be made since Piranesi automatically masks areas, planes, materials to your desire, this is called locking and you can see it in action here.

Piranesi helps you to produce photorealistic and non-photorealistic images of your 3D models very quickly and cost effectively for your projects. Your clients will recognise and benefit from your improved response time and amazing artistic renders.

+ WHAT ARE THE RESTRICTIONS IN THE TRIAL VERSION?

QUESTION

What is the difference between the free trial of Piranesi and the full version?

ANSWERS

THE TRIAL VERSION IS VALID FOR 30 DAYS WITH SOME RESTRICTIONS

The trial version lasts for 30 days from first use.

You can open any size of EPix file, but only files up to 800 x 600 pixels (and panoramas up to 2880 x 480 pixels) may be saved. A watermark is shown over the drawing.

File/Export is not available, except for export to QuickTime movie from panoramas, the file extent is fixed and cutouts cannot be saved to a file. The trial version is not licensed for commercial use.

+ WHAT DOES "NO GEOMETRY READ" MEAN IN VEDUTE?

QUESTION

I opened a file in Vedute and it said "No geometry read". How do I fix this?

ANSWERS

USE 3DS FOR 3D MODELS

Vedute is an application supplied with Piranesi. It converts DXF, 3DS and MicroGDS MAN files to the Piranesi EPix file format. Vedute is only needed if your modeller cannot export direct to an EPix file - see our list of compatible products.

"No geometry read" means that Vedute could not find any 3D components in the file. If you are using DXF from AutoCAD, try using 3DS output instead.

If your file is a 2D plan or elevation, you can use File/New in Piranesi and choose "Create an EPix file from an Image file".

+ WHAT IS PIRANESI?

QUESTION

What does Piranesi do for me?

ANSWERS

ARTISTIC RENDERINGS BASED ON 3D MODELS

Piranesi accepts .epx files exported from your preferred 3D modelling tools (see supported list here), these files retain information about the materials and geometry of the model. Given this knowledge, Piranesi allows you to rapidly paint on surfaces, texture the image, add entourage and 3D objects to give context to your model. Finally Piranesi is packed with features out of the box to help you release your creativity and produce images of real artistic merit.

+ WHAT IS THE QUICKEST WAY TO LEARN..?

QUESTION

What is the quickest way to learn and what resources do you have to help?

ANSWERS

READ, APPLY, PLAY, READ, PLAY, APPLY.....

Everyone has different learning styles and what suits one person as a method to learn Piranesi may not suit another. We have tried to provide as many resources as possible to suit everyone's different learning needs:

1. Comprehensive online help is provided as part of the product to learn as you click.
2. Online tutorials are provided as downloadable or streaming movies to really see it done first hand.
3. Mastering Piranesi is the single most comprehensive reference resource to learn all the details of Piranesi and available from our webstore.
4. The online Piranesi forum is arguably the best place to learn how to use Piranesi as it is used by the practitioners themselves. Ideas and techniques are often traded and help is always provided.

+ WHY DOES THE MAC EDUCATIONAL VERSION ASK FOR THE LICENSE AGAIN?

QUESTION

I entered my license in the Mac Education version but now every time I run Piranesi, it asks for the license again?

ANSWERS

ONE-OFF WORKROUND

There's a problem in Piranesi on Mac when the license contains an expiry date, and your time zone is not GMT. In these circumstances, Piranesi asks for the license every time because it saved the expiry date incorrectly.

To fix this, follow these steps:

1. Click on the clock and choose “Open Date & Time”.

2. Select the Time Zone tab.

3. Choose a country from the list so that the time zone shown is “GMT” e.g. Reykjavik – Iceland (you can start typing the letters Reyk if it isn't shown in the list).

4. Start Piranesi, enter the correct license expiry date (format is dd/mm/yyyy) and press OK.

5. Quit Piranesi.

6. Restore the correct country in the Time Zone dialog.

This procedure is only required once, and Piranesi will now start without prompting for your license again.

Please note that this problem is not present on Windows or for licenses with no expiry date.