AutoShade

AutoShade was a rendering software package developed by Autodesk, intended for creating photorealistic images and animations from CAD models. Primarily used in architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industries, it allowed designers to visualize their projects with realistic lighting, shadows, and materials.

AutoShade operated by importing 3D models from Autodesk's AutoCAD or other compatible CAD software. Users could then assign materials, define light sources, and set camera positions to compose a scene. The software employed ray tracing techniques to calculate the interaction of light with the scene, generating images that simulated realistic shading, reflections, and refractions.

Key features of AutoShade included:

• Material Libraries: Predefined libraries of materials like wood, glass, and metal with adjustable properties.
• Lighting Controls: Tools to position and control light sources, including ambient, directional, and point lights.
• Ray Tracing Rendering: An algorithm that traces the path of light rays to create realistic images.
• Animation Capabilities: Tools for creating animated walkthroughs and simulations.
• Output Options: Ability to export rendered images and animations in various file formats.

AutoShade was eventually superseded by more advanced rendering solutions, including those integrated directly into AutoCAD and other Autodesk products, offering enhanced features and performance.