Summer 2021: Ray Tracing, Dynamic Water, and Expanded Library

Since the arrival of Version 3 earlier this year, we’ve been amazed and delighted to see the spectacular projects our Members are creating using features like 3D Grass, Level Terrain, and Editing Shapes in 3D.

So much so, in fact, that when we shared enhancements to Version 2 earlier this summer, we promised that our next update for Version 3 would be filled with amazing new tools and features that would make your designs even more spectacular.

Now, with this summer update, we’re building on those great features by sharing with you powerful new tools like Ray Tracing and Dynamic Water that make it faster and easier for you to create incredibly beautiful, accurate, and realistic designs for your clients.

Ready to see what’s new? Check out the update video:

Ray Tracing (Beta)

Ray tracing in Vip3D enhances the realism of the environment and adds an incredible new level of detail to your designs. By taking the best advantage of the full power of your Nvidia RTX video card, ray tracing makes your designs even more breathtakingly immersive, enhancing your rendering quality in three areas: reflections, refractions, and shadows.

Reflections now show objects outside your view.

Refractions bounce light accurately through water and glass.

Shadows become dramatically more lifelike.

Just as when looking at a real body of water, you’ll notice refraction most at low angles. As you invite your client to explore the pools and water features you’ve designed, they’ll find them even more incredibly welcoming.

Plus, getting just the right shot at day, dusk, or night is now easier than ever because ray-traced shadows and reflections appear just as they would in the real world, maximizing realism.

You'll need to update your Nvidia video card drivers.

Install "GeForce Experience" to get the latest drivers.

Visit the Ray Tracing Help Page to learn more. 

Dynamic Water

Watch the water move with this update! Dynamic Water Ripples are now available in Vip3D. Even control the intensity of the water surface to enhance the water ripples.

Wet Camera Effect

Add depth and emotion to the scene with the new wet camera effect. As you exit the water in Presentation, water droplets appear on the screen.

DLSS Anti-Aliasing Mode

Computers with an Nvidia RTX video card can now enable the new DLSS anti-aliasing mode to increase graphics performance and speed up 3D designs.

Type Distance Between Points

Now, it’s even easier to set the exact distance. Save time when you type the distance between points for Single Slope in Terrain and Pool Depth. It’s easy to do in 2D: simply type in the distance rather than sliding the points.

House Foundation and 3D Grass

Level Ground

House foundations will now cut away the terrain. No need to add a hardscape under the house—the foundation has you covered!

3D Grass on Coping

Version 3 introduced the game-changing 3D Grass—and it has been so popular that we’ve now added 3D Grass to coping and coping draw mode, making it easier than ever to create stepping stones or a contrast between hardscape pavers.

Material Library

Open the library to explore the many new updated choices. Your designs will be even more accurate (and beautiful!) when you apply the new concrete, stone, and wood options to your projects.

Plant and Tree Library

We’ve updated more than 200 plant and tree models to make them even more realistic. From palms to mature trees, flowers to shrubs, these new models will add shade and visual interest to your pools, planters, and lawns as you create beautifully landscaped designs.

Accessory Library

Make your client’s outdoor space feel like home when you choose from amongst the 80 new furniture models to personalize their space.

Details like smoke in the fireplace or outdoor kitchen, jets in the spa, sprinklers on the lawn, and more are great ways to add the perfect finishing touches to your design.

Enhancements and Bug Fixes:

• Vendor Partner: Barrier Reef adds 14 new templates
• Carve Mode in 3D
• Particle Effect Optimizations
• Hovering Optimizations
• Image Callouts Refinements
• Improved SketchUp Import
• Rotated callouts now export correctly
• Fixed memory leak when loading FBX models
• TOOLS: 0' 0" measurements are prevented
• TOOLS: Type in Measurements register first digit
• TOOLS: Auto Elevation will remain ON when Align to Slope is activated
• HOUSE: Décor items will ignore Roof Only house shapes
• HOUSE: Windows ignore Roof Only shapes for elevation
• HOUSE: Window Covering no longer turns on when copying/pasting a window
• HOUSE: Alignment tools work with house shapes and windows
• RAILING: Generating a rail on a staircase follows the rail preset
• STEPS: Initial placement of an auto pool step in a spa is 1
• STEPS: Materials now follow the direction of the steps
• CUSTOM SHAPES: Adjusting point heights in 3D no longer moves the camera
• LIBRARY: Carved shapes now appear in the thumbnail image
• LIBRARY: Stays the same size after detaching
• MATERIALS: Rotated 3D two-tone grass now renders correctly
• MATERIALS: Resetting paint brush material no longer changes terrain material
• MATERIALS: Animated Characters and Waterfalls can now be customized
• SMART DATA: Available in the Materials Stage on Selected Surfaces
• PRESENTATION: Sound now fades out at the end of the video
• PRESENTATION: Pegman now updates with photo locations
• PRESENTATION: Add True Shadows Date/Time on screenshots and videos
• MARKUP: Property lines for VizTerra and Pool Studio
• MARKUP: When a shape is clicked the whole shape is selected on the first click
• LAYOUT: Logo Transparency is now supported
• LAYOUT: Pergolas can be printed as All, Framing, or Solid
• And hundreds more

Minor Update 2021.2.1 Fixes:

• TOOLS: Custom Shortcuts are remembered
• PLANTS: New Variation button available for legacy plant models
• PLANTS: Updated Plants Created with Save As now load with old files
• PLANTS: Updated Plants remember Custom Plant Symbols
• LIBRARY: 6 Panel and Arch Window Doors Thumbnails have been restored
• LIBRARY: Pebble Tec Blue Surf corrected
• POOLS: 3D Pool Slope corrected
• WINDOWS: Elevation is set by the last selected window
• DISPLAY: Hidden 3D Property Lines stay hidden when the file is reopened
• MARKUP: Measure Tool Grid Snap improved
• LAYOUT: Custom symbols in Symbol Legends corrected
• LAYOUT: PDF export corrected when Scale Bar/Scale Ratio Lock Rotation is ON
• DYNAMIC WATER: Spillover Water Ripples updated
• CRASH: Corrupt library data has been fixed
• CRASH: Copying and pasting an edited material from one file to another has been fixed
• RAY TRACING: 3D Grass Dandelions render correctly
• RAY TRACING: Garage Doors are now visible when viewed through Glass

Minor Update 2021.2.2 Fixes:

• TOOLS: Existing Measurements follow Angle Snap settings 
• TOOLS: Custom Shapes no longer snap to the center when pasted in 3D
• MATERIALS: Copy/Paste no longer becomes disabled after editing the pool slope
• MATERIALS: Color Sliders can now go to the darkest setting in Low and Lowest Display Quality Settings
• MATERIALS: Natural Wood Options (Structural & Flooring) now Follow Coping
• FILES: Project Folder now detected after double-clicking a project thumbnail on the home screen
• TERRAIN: Speed improved when editing the Terrain in 3D
• PLANT LEGEND: Callout Names are remembered on reload
• SMART DATA: Compatibility Mode now displays Pool Volume
• MARKUP: Markup Legends include the Markup Layers
• PERFORMANCE: Fixed memory leak with fences
• PERFORMANCE: Loading of custom template thumbnails improved
• CRASH: Custom plant models no longer cause crash when being loaded in Landscaping Library

Planning Ahead for Fall

Ready to start using these new tools in your next project? We have even more in the works! We’re developing exciting, timesaving new tools and features that will help you design the outdoor living spaces where your clients will create wonderful memories with their families.

If you have any questions, we’re always here to help. Just give us a call, send us an email, or connect with us on Facebook. We look forward to hearing from you.