Are you ready to bring your floor plans to life with detailed furnishings? In this tutorial, you will learn how to enter and edit interior objects in 3D using cadvilla. First, we will show you how to place and position furniture accurately using catalog items and reference points. Afterward, you will see how to modify textures, adjust dimensions, and setup lighting for a realistic environment. Finally, you will learn how to apply raytracing to calculate authentic shadows and light for your 3D presentation.

Please note: The zoom functions demonstrated in the video are only valid up to version 5. In newer versions, you can zoom simply by scrolling the mouse wheel. For further details, please refer to our post on zooming in the 2D and 3D view.

Below is a detailed overview of the video’s content.

1. Select and Insert 3D Objects

[00:21] Introduction to the Video

• This section provides a brief summary of the video’s content. Specifically, it shows how to place a seating group, as well as a few other interior objects, into a specific area of the living room.

[02:22] Find Objects in the Catalog

• First, it is helpful to turn off the grid (2D Layout > Grid) so you can place objects more freely without snapping.
  
• Open the Catalog on the right side and select the folder Interior.
• Navigate to the desired object, for example within the Seats category.
• Double-click the object to open the preview window. Under the Details tab, you will find the exact dimensions of the object. Afterwards, close the window by clicking OK.

[04:09] Drag the Object into the 3D View

• Select the desired 3D object in the Catalog.
• Hold down the left mouse button and drag the object directly into your 3D view.

[04:15] Position the 3D Object

• Move the cursor to shift the object freely within the room.
• While doing this, the Tool Options window appears automatically.
• By turning the mouse wheel, you can comfortably rotate the object and change its Angle (this only works if the Tool Options window is active).
• Within the Tool Options window under Position, select Other. Consequently, the object will automatically snap to the next resistance it hits, such as the floor or a wall.
• Tip: If the Tool Options window is blocking your view, you can easily show or hide it using the W key. Once the object is placed with a left click, press the ESC key to end the function.

2. Position and Copy Objects Exactly

[06:47] Precise Positioning in the 2D View

• For exact placement, it is highly recommended to use the 2D view.
• Select the inserted object in the 2D floor plan.
• Choose the function Move with reference point or simply press the keyboard shortcut R.
• Click a specific reference point on the object, and then move it to the target location. Tip: Using guidelines will help you achieve even better precision.

[10:50] Create a Multiple Copy of a Couch Element

• Select the object you want to duplicate in the 2D view.
• Click the right mouse button and choose Multiple copy from the context menu.
• A Tool Options dialog will appear. Here, you define the Direction, the Distance, and the Number of copies.
• After entering the desired values (e.g., Bottom, 0.70 meters, 2), confirm your settings with OK.

3. Change Textures and Dimensions of 3D Objects

[12:31] Assign a Texture

• Open the Catalog and navigate to the Textures category (for example, the Interior > Leather folder).
• Drag the selected texture with the left mouse button pressed and drop it directly onto your 3D object in the 3D view.

[13:18] Edit and Transfer Material

• In the top menu, select 3D Functions and click Edit material.
• Click on the newly textured part of your object in the 3D view. The Material Editor window will open.
• Here, you can adjust settings like Color, Transparency, Diffuse portion, and Intensity. Confirm your changes with OK.
• To apply this customized material to other parts of the furniture, go back to 3D Functions and select Transfer material.
• Click the source material first, and then hold down the SHIFT key while clicking the target objects. As a result, the exact texture properties and coordinates will be transferred seamlessly.

[17:55] Change Dimensions and Proportions

• Select the object (e.g., a coffee table) in the 2D view and press the right mouse button to open its Properties.
• Look for the Dimensions section to change the Width, Height, or Depth.
• Notice the checkbox labeled Scale distorted. If this box is checked, you can distort the object’s proportions freely. If it is unchecked, the object will scale proportionally automatically. Click OK to confirm.

[19:11] Change a Tabletop from Solid to Glass

• Ensure your 3D view is active and select 3D Functions > Edit material.
• Click directly on the tabletop in the 3D view to open the Material Editor.
• Go to the Default tab and enter a value like 60% into the Transparency field to simulate glass. Confirm with OK.

4. Lighting, Grouping, and Raytracing

[23:42] Define Light Properties of Lamps

• Select a light fixture in the 2D view, right-click, and choose Properties.
• Navigate to the Light tab.
• Here, you must check the box Light is switched on to activate the lamp. You can also enable shadows and define both the Color and the Intensity of the light source.

[28:59] Group Objects Together

• While in the 3D view (or 2D view), hold down the SHIFT key and click all the objects you want to combine with the left mouse button.
• Once selected, click the Group button from the top menu. The items are now grouped and can be moved together as one single unit.
• If you ever need to separate them again, select the grouped item and choose the Ungroup option.

[30:55] Define Internal Light Sources (Sun Position)

• Activate your 3D view.
• Go to 3D Functions and select Internal light sources. (Alternatively, right-click in the 3D view and choose Internal light sources).
• In the properties window under the Default tab, check the box Calculate sun position.
• In this menu, you can define the exact Time (e.g., 04:00 PM) as well as the Sunlight intensity and the Environment light intensity. Confirm with OK.

[32:04] Raytracing (Shadow and Light Calculation)

• In the 3D Functions menu, select with a right mouseclick Raytrace.
• The Properties Raytracer window will appear. Under Antialiasing, select the option Strong antialiasing for the best visual quality and confirm with OK.
• Finally, click Raytrace again to start the photorealistic calculation of light, shadows, and reflections for your scene.