January 31, 2012. Beaverton, Oregon: e-on software the leader in 3D sky, light and nature technologies, today announced the immediate availability of LumenRT 2 Review, the second generation of the company’s revolutionary product for the interactive visualization of architectural projects with full physical lighting.

The product, currently compatible with SketchUp, is being ported to other platforms. To support this major release, e-on software also publishes a free trial version of LumenRT 2 for Macintosh and Windows, immediately available for download from try.lumenrt.com.

LumenRT 2

E-on software invites all architects and designers to watch the LumenRT 2 Review presentation video, showcasing the true real-time power of LumenRT 2. This video, entirely rendered with LumenRT 2 is visible on the company’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/eonsoftware.

Last but not least, e-on software is happy to announce that the upgrade to LumenRT 2 is available for free to all registered users of LumenRT 1. However, because this offer is limited in time, e-on software indicates that current users should upgrade without delay.

LumenRT 2 Review: A New Media for Architects Is Born!

With last year’s successful introduction of LumenRT, e-on software made a noticeable entry into the real-time market. This first version was immediately recognized as a significant advance by the architectural industry (including a nomination to 3D World CG Awards 2011 for Plugin of the Year), leading to many prominent ArchViz companies embracing LumenRT’s revolutionary approach. The ability to create accurately lit, immersive 3D visualizations of their projects and to share them with their clients was indeed considered a substantial asset.

LumenRT is the only solution that combines real-time rendering with a full, physical simulation of light, letting architects and their clients accurately experience the true volume and lighting of their designs.

Thanks to LumenRT 2 Review, architects no longer have to choose between high-quality images and real-time visualization. They can create high quality real-time visualizations of their models, explore them with any standard or 3D mouse and share them with their clients as self contained executables.

With a completely new, state-of-the-art real-time engine, LumenRT 2 hoards a plentiful number of new features and enhancements:

• Complete physical simulation of light,
• Physically accurate reflections,
• Adjustable time of day,
• Precise anti-aliasing and motion blur,
• Soft shadows with varying softness,
• Superb water and underwater effects,
• Advanced material rendering,
• Photo-realistic skies,
• Low quality mode for optimized performance on slower boards,
• And a lot more

The complete list of new features in LumenRT 2 Review for SketchUp is available at: www.lumenrt.com/overview/#Release 2.

LumenRT 2 Review Trial Version

The release of LumenRT 2 also marks the release of the first Trial Version of LumenRT, immediately available from try.lumenrt.com

The trial version of LumenRT 2 Review for SketchUp is a fully functional version of LumenRT 2, valid for 15 days. Output from the trial version is watermarked and not valid for commercial use. The trial version enables all SketchUp users to check how their communication could benefit from e-on software’s cutting-edge technology! The trial version can easily be converted into a full commercial license by purchasing the product directly from within the plug-in or a LiveCube.

Those who don’t use SketchUp can still experience the visual quality of LumenRT LiveCubes right away by downloading a set of sample LumenRT 2 LiveCubes at www.lumenrt.com/download and explore them live on their computer while they wait for support of their favorite application. The complete electronic documentation is also available for download from that page.

Some of the following designs are continuations of the kind of things some (un)creative designers were doing last year; others are totally new and could well see their popularity rise.

This year it seems that logo design will focus around unusual shapes, buttons and bubbles (as influenced by the Facebook and Digg buttons), a focus on gray instead of black, and a wide palette of earth colors as an attraction towards green design, environmentally friendly.

Midnight Sailing

Crew Care

Ice

Bob Johnson Ice Hockey School

Tofu

Bella Ro

Stinse

Hill Bikes

Made just prior to the turn of the century in 1590-1600, this Vredeman de Vries bed is among the most famous ancient beds in the world. This carved oak piece was originally painted and features stunning panels of marquetry. Currently housed in the British Galleries, this bed is best known for being quite enormous during its time, as it measures over 128 inches across. Shakespeare was so inspired by the bed that he makes a small mention of it in his infamous play ‘Twelfth Night.’

2. The Private Cloud

The Private Cloud is a German-designed and built bed that’s both simplistic and stylized. Notable for its use of curves and light wood finish, this bed was created to function like a rocking chair, as inhabitants can sway gently back and forth while they sleep.

3. BedUP

Designed by Decadrages and built to look as inconspicuous as possible, the BedUP is a space-saving bed that generations of cramped apartment-dwellers certainly wish they had around for personal use. Able to save up to 13 square feet of space in floor plan, the BedUP retracts into the ceiling when not in use.

4. Feel Seating System

Technically, this bed model is actually a regular seat, though it was designed with the idea of multiple uses in mind. The Feel Seating System can be contorted by the user and reworked into a variety of shapes, so one can sleep, lounge, or dangle any which way she likes. The model contains 120 spheres made of sofa-like material and covered with elastic fabric, and the bright colors in use help to make this a stunningly modern piece. Now they just need to make these into bunk beds so that all kinds of crazy rearrangements can be performed!

5. William Morris’ Bed

This early 17th century bed is remarkable more for its artistic influence than its actual design, though its remarkable craftsmanship has been well-preserved over the centuries. William Morris wrote a poem inspired by this bed, and his family was involved in its design, building, and accessorizing as well. In fact, Morris’ youngest daughter, May, designed the curtains and bed cover for her father’s artistically-inspiring piece of furniture.

6. Queen Victoria’s Bed

Queen Victoria, ill near the end of her life, had to be transferred from her typical bed to a smaller, single-size version for easier bedside care. Draped in a beautiful bed cover that was presented to the Queen as a gift from China for the marking of her Jubilee in 1897, this bed is also adorned with the Queen’s two favorite pieces that she always kept near her bed: a pocket watch that belong to Prince Albert, as well as a photograph of the Prince after his passing. Hubert von Herkomer would later paint the Queen’s deathbed portrait while her body rested on this bed in 1901, and the royal family would keep this bedroom and piece as a personal shrine for the next half-century.

7. The Melville Bed

Adorned with long, luxurious red drapes that hang nearly to the floor, the Melville Bed is better known for its ornamental display than the bed frame itself. Made in 1700 and commissioned by George Melville himself, this stunning piece of centuries-old furniture was initially designed for use in the Earl of Melville’s new home in Fife.

8. Louis XIV’s Bed

Louis XIV of France took many personal visits from important statesmen of the day back during the 1700s, and there was no better place than his personal bed chamber. The bedchamber was actually designed from 1701 to serve as the exact center of the palace, and even one of the United States’ founding fathers, Benjamin Franklin, visited the King in his bedchamber in 1778. This bed from Versaille has many red and gold elements, and is typically covered by thick drapes that only leave three small openings into the bed visible at any one time.

9. The Space Economizing Bed

This bed is the absolutely perfect bed for anyone who sleeps in this same specific position night after night. There’s not much else to say about this bed other than “don’t move an inch while you sleep!” Granted, if this was a top bunk on a set of wood bunk beds, the person at the bottom probably wouldn’t be very happy, but this piece gets style points for its unique (and humorous) take on modern bed design.

10. Float by Okooko

You may not be able to sail the seven seas in this bed, but you’ll want to after you take your first glance. Designed by David Trubridge for Okooko, the Float resembles an ancient sailing ship, and looks as though it could easily float on both clouds and water, though neither is actually possible. Trubridge incorporated elements from both historical boat designs as well as modern bed designs when crafting this piece, and this concept bed was voted the finest piece of bedroom furniture at the Furniture Fashion competition in New Zealand during its time on display.

11. The Lomme

The Lomme is probably an image that can define modern bed design in one glance. Shaped like an egg and featuring a smooth, white edifice reminiscent of Apple computer designs, the Lomme may look simple but its elegant nature masks its many features. Among them: a light therapy clock with alarm settings, a mattress massaging device, and a bed control unit that is actually an altered iPhone.

12. The Nappak

Need to take a quick nap but don’t have your bed around or a sleeping bag at the ready? The Nappak is the future of bed design for quick naps and portable carriage, as this piece is easily inflated and quickly stored. Plus, with an inflatable canopy-like cover, this is no ordinary air mattress picked up from your local department store, but something much greater.

13. The Rampbed

This bed may be designed for children, but let’s face it: any adult skater nerd would drool at the chance to sleep in this remarkably well-crafted piece. Beds designed specifically for kids are often overlooked for more adult fare, but this piece is certainly worth of inclusion on our list. Why? The bed doubles as a skate ramp and a sleeping area, but beyond that, look at the quality of the woodwork and other incredibly fun features, such as the skateboard wheels being used as drawer handles for the built-in storage units.

14. The Napshell

The item in the image above looks like it could be almost anything when not shown to scale, and this bed certainly looks closer to the handle for some futuristic iron than a place to sleep when first glanced. The Napshell, however, definitely won’t fit on an ironing board, though there really only is room for one on this bed. Designed for proper back posture and avoiding straight lines of any kind, this bed is the perfect addition to the bedroom of anyone who has recurring night terrors about right angles.

15. The Sonic Bed

Music nerds and rock stars finally have a bed that was specially designed for them. The Sonic Bed is unique in that it requires plenty of power to operate, 220 volts to be exact. This power won’t go to waste, however. All those volts will be feeding the speakers built into the indented bed frame, where sleepers will be deafened for sleep with pervasive noise production. It may sound startling and unsettling, but is done primarily to drown out noises outside the bed.

Turquoise of the Southwest

Turquoise is a quintessential Southwestern color. Find it in sunsets or Native American jewelry. It looks fabulous when mingled with soft desert sands and pale sunset pinks, and it pops against white for a fresh, clean look. Turquoise is amazing when used as an accent color in Southwestern decor: For example, a turquoise Southwestern wall art will come to life when mounted on a natural stone fireplace façade. It also adds a vibrant kick in Native American textiles such as braided rugs or fabrics that can be used in anything from wall art to floor rugs to throw pillows.

Shabby Chic White and Turquoise

Shabby chic decors are big on layers of white; like the frosting on a great big wedding cake, the look is layered and luscious. Pale pastels like yellow and pink are often used to provide a muted counterpoint to all the white, but don’t overlook turquoise is a beautiful addition to any shabby chic room. Whether used in a pale shade on a distress-finished table or in a deeper shade featured in a chandelier or a row of turquoise bottles lining a windowsill, turquoise adds visual delight and a distinction that can be as vibrant or as subtle as you wish.

Turquoise in Contemporary Settings

One wonderful characteristics of turquoise is that it can instantly soften harsh lines that may be found in modern decor and it also has a retro quality to it, which fits hand in glove with modern/retro themes. While the color turquoise could certainly be found in contemporary wall decor, it can also be used in furniture as an effective foil against neutral colors. For example, in a dining space that features white, gray and tan, pale turquoise Eames chairs surrounding a stainless steel table gives that space a vibe that is retro, modern, unexpected and unassuming. It offers contrast to the neutral tones, a softening of line and a bit of color that is not as harsh or overly ambitious as, for instance, the expected dose of red as accent.

Turquoise is Beach Cottage Fresh

Turquoise is the perfect accent color for beach cottage decor because it is fun, lively and reminiscent of the sea. In a bedroom, a flea market dresser can become a focal point when painted in bold turquoise blue and displayed against a wall of white beaded board. Add touches of sunflower yellow for a fun, carefree life-is-a-beach attitude.

Turquoise is at Home in Exotic Locales

Turn a traditional room into something exotic with faraway interest using the color turquoise. Combine an exotic shape with the bold blue-green color for a look that is totally fresh and unpredictable. For example, a Moroccan style chandelier with hanging glass pendants of bold turquoise will liven up the neutral colors and classic furnishings in an otherwise traditional dining room, making you feel as though you are dining in Marrakesh instead of Milwaukee.

Be simple

It is the first and foremost important rule to follow when designing a logo, keep it simple and not complex. A complicated logo is difficult to reproduce and maintain but most importantly, it cannot be adored by the audience. An astounding logo is the vehicle that drives customers to your product. It should be simple, eye catching and provoke thought in the viewer.

Be Tricky

A logo is the best way to entertain and engage your audience with your product. Don’t divulge the message for the audience by making it too obvious. Be tricky and give your audience an opportunity to discover the meaning and intention of the logo. This should be a memorable and entertaining experience for your audience. Also try to avoid making your logo too abstract or you can risk making the logo obscure and the message and entertainment will be lost.

Keep It green

Maintaining a green lifestyle is the future, therefore your logo should be green. Durability and longevity of a logo is worth considering. Picture your company 20 years down the road, what services and products you are going to offer? Make your logo a perfect representative of your company that can stand the test of time. Make a logo that can even stand for all the changes you will make in the future. A textual logo like IBM’s works great in this respect.

Use Vector

Using 3D effects in a logo is always tempting however, clean; crisp lines with very limited colors will prove to stand the test of time. Vector-based logos provide the contrast and balance that is vitally important in logo design. Vector formats also allow the most variations that will play a key role if you modify your logo in the future.

Be Flexible

A great logo should always be flexible so it can represent every business situation. Don’t “pigeon hole” your target group-keep it open to all and any viewers. Literal and specific logos are hard to use when catering to varying markets whereas, textual logos are the most flexible. You can easily change the color of the logo to state the on time motto of the company. Google’s logo is the best example of the flexibility of a logo.

Be Relevant

Logos should be relevant to the product and services of the company. It should give the customers a clear picture about the products and services the company provides. World famous ice cream parlor chain, Baskin-Robbins’ logo is an ideal example of relevance. Customers immediately know from the company logo that the company is offering ice cream of 31 flavors.

Be Wise with Color

Color is one of the more important aspects of a logo as it speaks feeling and emotion to the viewer. The choice of color may vary depending on age, gender and cultural demographics. So choose color according to your target market. Colors like to follow trends. A bank often will follow conservative colors where as a newly launched company most likely will follow the current trends.
A great logo always makes a mark in the mind of people. It stands for the taste and sprit of the company. All the best brands in the world are as famous as their logos. A simple, memorable, timeless, versatile and appropriate logo is highly important for a company to reach their customers.

About Author:
Donald Bates is a website designer who is working for Tampa Web Design Company for last 3 years. He loves to help fellow designers and business owners sharing his knowledge and experience. He offers website design services via www.mdesignmedia.com

Floating wall shelves are the solution to both dilemmas. These shelves are hung neatly and cleanly with no ugly hardware or unsightly metal strips or brackets to ruin your display and you can easily change up the featured display whenever you wish. Floating wall shelves come in many different sizes, colors and finishes so it’s very easy to find shelves that work perfectly with your decor and they offer maximum flexibility in design options since they can be hung in a horizontal line, a vertical stack or staggered on the wall. They are usually made of wood or composite materials and have a bracket system that mounts them to the wall; the bracket is designed to be totally hidden so the shelves virtually ‘float’ on the wall. When choosing floating shelves, be sure to check their load capacity and keep in mind that shelves that will hold heavy items like books or dishware should be attached to wall studs. If you have any reservations about the sturdiness of a shelf, hire a competent woodworker to add extra support.

Here are some ideas for decorating with floating wall shelves.

A Blissful Bedroom

Try floating wall shelves in lieu of a headboard, but instead of envisioning one or two long shelves spanning the distance above the bed, try two stacks of shorter shelves with an empty space in the center. The shelves can hold framed photos and art, candles, small baskets filled with practical items, trinkets, collectibles and accessories. Be sure to hang the shelves high enough so they won’t pose a danger when getting in and out of bed. The center space can be used to display anything from a great framed artwork to a decorative metal wall cross. You can add and subtract elements at any time to change up your style, explore a new look or experiment with different colors and themes.

A Handsome Man-Cave

All guys love kicking back in their own space and floating wall shelves give them the opportunity to keep the space looking neat and handsome and also capable of style changes at a moment’s notice. For example, if your guy wants a cabin style man-cave, rustic wood shelves are ideal. Stagger them on a focal wall along with a wolf metal wall art, and a series of photos from favorite camping or fishing expeditions with his buddies. When football season rolls around, it’s easy to change up the look just by switching the metal art with a framed football poster and related memorabilia on the shelves.

A Fresh Contemporary Living Room

It’s easy to create a great look above a low profile couch. Hang a shelf high enough to be safe and arrange a trio of photos on the shelf; frame and mat them identically, but if their sizes and orientations vary somewhat, this will just make the arrangement more interesting. Add another element on the shelf to pick up an accent color in the room, such as a large initial or glass vase. The key here is proportion and scale, so play around with the elements until you get the look you love – and with the flexibility offered by floating shelves, if you change your mind, it’s no big deal!

If you spend any time at all shopping in consignment stores or browsing tag sales, you know that it’s pretty easy to find vintage dressers at great prices. While you may not need another dresser in your bedroom, a low profile dresser with drawers has lots of potential to add style and function to your home.

The great thing about these dressers, in addition to their low price, is their versatility. Since they are made of wood, they are easy to sand and paint, whether your style sensibilities cry out for the purity of shabby chic white or a glossy shade of jade green to go with Asian fusion style. So rather than pass by yet another ubiquitous vintage dresser, consider these fun and practical ideas.

A Sideboard or Home Bar for the Dining Room

A low profile vintage dresser is the perfect vehicle for adding much needed storage as well as function and style to the dining room. Paint it as desired or leave it in a natural wood finish. Add a mirrored tray on top and you have a place to mix and serve drinks at your next dinner party. Should you happen upon a dresser with doors instead of drawers, you now have a great place to store liquor bottles and mixers. A regular dresser with drawers could also be used as a sideboard in the dining room. Keep hot pads handy in a top drawer and serve up dinner buffet style or use it as a staging area to hold coffee cups and your famous fruit torte atop a footed cake stand so that everyone can look forward to dessert. The drawers are perfect for holding extra linen, napkin rings, flatware, table pads, serving utensils and trays. The space above the dresser is ideal for a beautiful wall mirror or wooden plate rack.

A More Functional Foyer

A foyer often becomes a cluttered mess, especially in winter when outwear, gloves, scarves and hats can take over your space. A low profile dresser with three drawers is a perfect alternative to a console table and it offers loads of storage space in the drawers for everything you need as you come and go. An old fashioned haberdasher’s hat stand is a fun touch on top of the dresser, turning your hats into a style statement. Anything is fair game to hang above the dresser: It just depends on your personal style and desired look. From abstract art, to a Spanish metal wall cross, wrought iron wall grille and candle sconces, or retro sun metal wall sculptures and a lava lamp, paint the dresser in a color that works with your style makes you smile when you come home every evening.

A Kitchen Helper

A dresser is a great helper in the kitchen and can stand in as a work island. Top it with tile or a piece of butcher block, marble or granite, and you have a perfect place to roll out dough or chop veggies. Best of all, you get to customize it however you like by choosing whatever paint color and top you like. And those drawers give much needed storage space. Who doesn’t love that?

Sometimes you look around a room and you know it’s time for a change. What once worked is no longer working and the room now looks tired and boring. But in the current economic climate, who has money for new furniture or the time and energy to install expensive upgrades like new hardwood flooring?  If the answer to these questions is, “Not me,” take heart because you can get a great new look in any room without breaking your back or bank account. Explore the exciting and affordable world of accessorizing, a.k.a. the lazy and inexpensive way to room renovation. Here are three examples:

A Warm and Welcoming Entry Space

If your entry or foyer is less than welcoming, try adding a console table with a stylish lamp, a tray for outgoing and incoming mail and a tasteful grouping of family photos. A wall mirror or sun metal wall decor above the table and a pair of wall candle sconces makes the entry more inviting than ever. If your foyer is not big enough for a table, a wall shelf can give you a similar look in a smaller footprint.

Getting Kitschy in the Kitchen

A dated kitchen can get a quick and easy makeover by focusing on the counter. First, banish the clutter, pitching what you don’t need and storing the rest, making it accessible according to your needs. Give the counters a good disinfecting cleaning and then start shopping! Cute canisters that match the style of your retro kitchen are a great way to add color and style: For example, vintage inspired tin canisters in aquamarine can add a fun, kitschy flavor. Follow through with white window curtains featuring polka dots in the same shade of blue. A throw rug, cookware, placemats and dishtowels in the same color palette can tie everything together. Then add a few vintage items from the same era in wall art, on countertops or on a window sill: napkin holders, salt and pepper shakers, planters and figurines are inexpensive, fun and easy to find at local flea markets and antique malls.

Family Room Fun

Family rooms often project the feeling of having been outgrown from a decorative point of view. Maybe the room was once a play area for tots who are now teens and the photos in the room are dated and don’t match your current family unit. While ‘theme decorating’ is often overdone, a theme in a family room can really bring the focus back to what makes your family unique and it can be done with style and good taste. For example, if your now teenage children are into horseback riding and horse shows, use that as inspiration for the room. Go with a palette of burgundy, cream, khaki and forest green. If your furniture is neutral, use this quartet of colors in throw pillows, area rugs, lampshades and accessories. Or buy slipcovers to refresh existing upholstery. Paint a focal wall in a deeper tone of your wall color and hang framed photos of the kids riding or in competitions and use a handsome horse metal wall art to add focus and pull the details of the room together. A wall shelf can hold trophies, ribbons and fun horse theme accessories.

Modern Wall Color:

Nothing says “1966” like avocado green walls. Refreshing your walls with new paint is one of the easiest and least expensive upgrades you can make, and it gives you lots of bang for your buck. Evaluate the space and the colors that must stay, then choose something new and fresh that complements those colors. You can never go wrong with serene neutrals like ivory or tan, but you can also add some panache with a focal wall in a trendy color like green tea, mimosa yellow or periwinkle blue.

Refresh Cabinets:

Who wouldn’t love brand new cabinets with all the bells and whistles like roll out drawers and built-in spice racks, but cabinetry is one of the biggest expenses in a kitchen makeover. If your cabinets are in good shape and the layout of the kitchen is functional, a more affordable option is to repaint the cabinets in a soothing modern shade like taupe. Whether you do it yourself or hire it done, it’s still much cheaper than replacing them.

Updated Countertop Spaces:

Of course, granite is synonymous with gorgeous, but again it’s a deal breaker if you must keep a tight rein on expenses. Visit your local home improvement store and you’ll find a new product that is simply painted on your countertops and gives them the look of stone or granite. While you’re at it, take a look at backsplash tile. Backsplash areas are not vast in most kitchens and you can add lots of style for a low price. Glass tile, porcelain or ceramic can bring your kitchen a hip modern vibe, the rustic flavor of Tuscany or transport it to some place in between. Tile is not difficult to install and with a hand-on class at a home improvement store, you can easily pull off this upgrade on your own.

Fixtures from the Current Century:

Old dated lighting fixtures and faucets aren’t doing your kitchen any stylistic favors and are easy to replace. Affordable replacements can be found in every style and decor preference: choose from modern pendant lights, a ceiling fan, hand rubbed bronze faucets or a simple, modern chrome faucet with a removable spray head.

Accessorize like a Pro:

Grandma’s cross-stitch sampler may look quaint in a country style kitchen, but if you’re going for something more contemporary, hang contemporary wall artwork to make a statement in the kitchen. A modern metal art in stainless steel may be just what you need to draw attention to open shelving that flanks the area above the stove. Or try sculptural trees wall art to add some distinction to the dining nook.

To resize your images, simply fire up ACDSee, and select the image you want to resize. Then go to the upper menu, select ‘Tools‘ – ‘Batch‘ – ‘Resize‘ or simply press (Command for MAC) Ctrl+R. You should select the radio button near the “Size in pixels“, and in the “Resize” option select “Enlarge or reduce“. Then check the “Preserve original aspect ratio” and near the “Fit within” option, select “Width only” and enter the width in pixels of the final image.

Click “Start Resize” and watch the magic happen.

If you want to rename more files at once, select them all either by clicking and dragging over all the images, or hold (Command MAC) Ctrl and left mouse click over the ones you want selected. Then go again to ‘Tools‘ – ‘Batch‘ – ‘Rename‘. Use the template as depicted in the video above to rename your images, and to assign them numbers, or letters.
You can also Insert custom metadata for each file when you rename the files.

Hope you enjoyed this tutorial! If you have suggestions or questions, please leave them below.

Thanks!