If you’re currently using DomuS3D 2021, this article will walk you through some of the most exciting new features and updates available in the latest version of DomuS3D 2022. We'll take a look at:
Let's get started!
If you have already received the link to update to version 2022, you can find installation instructions: here.
Otherwise, please contact our support team at support@maticad.com.
Live! Page and Digital Library Service
The library download service has been made faster and more immediate. The page has been reorganized with new categories (lights, images, etc.) and it is now possible to filter furnishings by series.
Changes to the “New project” Window
In the “new project” window, two new buttons have been added to allow users to directly import DXF/DWG files and JPG/PNG images.
Click here for the full article on importing DXF/DWG files in DomuS3D or watch this video here!
Among the new features in DomuS3D 2022 is the possibility to import JPG/PNG images directly into the Layout window, which can be used as a background or base, for example, to trace over floorplans, specific objects, 3D text, or more, using the available CAD tools.
Along with the new project window, images can be added to the Layout window directly by dragging and dropping an image from the IMAGES tab of the Components window. See how in this quick video tutorial.
In DomuS3D, new messages, suggestions, and video tutorials have been added to help assist users while designing.
Balloon tips or pop-ups appear automatically when certain commands are selected, for example, when inserting a window into a floorplan, this pop-up appears:
In addition, mini video tutorials automatically appear in a new section of the Properties window in the bottom right of the screen when certain commands are selected. To see this new feature in action, try selecting on the “Rectangle” function, for example, under the CAD tab of the ribbon.
In this same area of the screen, when there are no commands active, you’ll see images pertaining to our training courses and our online guide, which can be accessed by simply clicking on this area of the screen. Check out this quick video tutorial to learn more!
It is possible to assign exact dimensions to a door or window when inserting the item into a project, before positioning it on a wall.
When a door or window is dragged into a floorplan, a numeric field will appear where it is possible to insert the width of the opening:
this field will remain available until the moment when the door or window is positioned on the wall; at this point, two numeric fields on the right and left of the door appear which will measure the distance to the corner of each wall.
3D Navigation: Lock Door/Window Opening
After having inserted a door or window into your project, you can lock/unlock its dynamic opening mechanism. In the 3D navigation window, right click on the door or window and you can select whether to lock or unlock the opening rotation.
Similarly, you can turn on or off the same option from the properties window by selecting “Lock opening”.
This allows users to move more fluidly in 3D navigation when doors and windows that can be opened are present in the room.
Learn more about positioning doors and windows in this article.
From the Options window of the program, it is possible to turn on/off viewing of angle measurements in the layout for angles that are different than 90°:
A new library of 3D lighting elements and lamps which include light (IES files) and a new self-illuminating material already integrated into their 3D structure and editable in post-processing has been created and is available for download form the Live! page.
These lamps and lights have been created with the properties of their actual light/illumination properties as specified by their manufacturer and, therefore, they are able to realistically reproduce the effects that they create in reality.
Using them in your project couldn’t be simpler: all you have to do is position the lamp in your scene, just like you would for any other 3D item or furniture piece, without having to adjust any of the light settings.
Watch this quick video tutorial to learn more!
Solid Modeler and New Geometric Shapes
In DomuS3D it is now possible to create 3D elements from primary geometric shapes such as spheres, cones, pyramids, or portions of these (watch the video here!).
In addition, it is possible to create objects such as steps or countertops which can be customized in size and detailed in their beveled edges (watch the video here!)
Another new function allows users to easily create recessed shower trays, with the possibility to easily add a drain (customizable in finish) and apply any tile or other material available in the DomuS3D library to the tray (watch the video here!)
Delete or Replace Multiple Tiles
It is now possible to quickly delete or replace a group of tiles using to new commands: “Delete Group of Tiles” and “Change Group of Tiles”. These commands are available from the 2D Wall or 2D Floor window, in the “Wall” tab of the Ribbon.
Watch this quick video tutorial to learn more!
The user interface of the “Tiling area” window has been revised and two new buttons have been added to create an EMPTY AREA or a LAYING PATTERN more quickly and easily.
It is now possible to apply a laying pattern even when there is already a tile laid on a floor or wall.
After having applied a tile to a surface, select a laying pattern that you want to use, for example, in the case of wood planks, you can select a random staggered pattern. Drag and drop the pattern onto the surface and the new pattern will be applied (Watch the video here!).
If you don’t know how dynamic laying patterns work in DomuS3D, click here.
In DomuS3D, it is possible to change grout color and width of any tile directly from the Floor 2D or Wall 2D window. Right click on the desired surface and select either “width” or “color” from the “Grout” option in the context menu (Watch the video here!).
In DomuS3D 2022, you can create an opening on a flat ceiling or on the floor and automatically add a visual simulation of a room on the floor above or below. See this article to learn more.
In DomuS3D, it is possible to select multiple entities simultaneously, even those of different types, such as CAD, FURNITURE, and OBJECTS. By selecting an area, or by using ctrl + left click, from the layout window, it is possible to select multiple elements and move, delete, or modify them from the Properties window (learn more about the multiple selection window in this article).
If, for example, the entities selected are CAD lines or polylines, it is possible to modify their layer, color, width, and line type simultaneously, directly from the Properties window.
Integrations A significant new feature, available with the V-Ray rendering engine upgrade, automatically selects whether to use GPU or CPU to process renderings. Additionally, with V-Ray 5, it is possible to create V-ray materials in DomuS3D using new parameters, such as the new “Self-Illumination” material.
Learn more in this article here, see this article.
Self-Illuminating Material and Post-Production
In DomuS3D, it is possible to adjust the new “Self-illumination” material during post-production. Once a furnishing element with the self-illumination material is inserted into a project (for example a lamp), in the advanced parameters of the material, you’ll find a “light group” field: assign a name to this field (the same as you do with lights) and you’ll be able to adjust the intensity of this material in post-production after rendering.
In DomuS3D, the visualization of room scenes with Real-Time Rendering has been optimized and improved. Graphic quality has been further improved to guarantee an even more realistic visualization, thanks to the support of Ray Tracing, an option available for latest generation Nvidia RTX graphics cards (Watch the video here!).
RTR’s various settings allow users to regulate further parameters (exposure, contrast, temperature, etc.) with flexibility, as well as adjust the intensity of individual lights inserted into the project.
Haven’t used RTR before? See this article to get started!
Configurable Furnishings and Meta-Articles
The “configurable furnishings” module has been further improved and integrated into the “FURNISHINGS” tab of the Components window.
With this module, the user has the ability to insert customizable elements into their project which follow their manufacturer guidelines to create various compositions that can be modified in all of their parts as specified by the manufacturer.
With respect to the previous version of DomuS3D, the double tab is no longer present in the FURNISHINGS section; configurable items are now found alongside the standard, or “static”, furniture items and they are recognized thanks to a marker in the bottom left of their preview image:
Furthermore, configurable items are divided into two types: TYPE 1 individual items and TYPE 3 composition items.
Watch this quick video tutorial to learn more!
DomuS3D Composer Module Update
Composer, already included in the installation packet of DomuS3D, is an application that lets users easily create custom project summaries and brochures of their project.
In the 2022 version of DomuS3D, a number of new features were added, for example: new options to insert a material and quantity estimate, recalculation of a project that was modified without having to reopen DomuS3D, management of print preview, and more.
This article is valid for the 2022 version and later.