Real-time depth of field effects within design software

In a computerized architectural design environment in which a design program is loaded into memory and processed at a central processing unit, a computer-implemented method for allowing a user in real-time to create a movie file or interactive flythrough of one or more scenes while adjusting a depth of field of the one or more scenes, the method comprising:

• receiving from the user one or more inputs regarding a layout of the design space within the architectural design environment;
• rendering a three-dimensional model of the layout of the design space within the architectural design environment;
• creating a movie file or interactive flythrough in real-time showing various aspects of the three-dimensional model;
• receiving from the user one or more inputs regarding adjustments to the depth of field of the one or more scenes from the perspective of the user within the three-dimensional model;
• and
• capturing within the movie file or interactive flythrough in real-time the adjustments to the depth of field of one or more scenes.

A computer program product for use at a computer system, the computer program product for implementing a method for allowing a user in real-time to adjust a depth of field of a perspective of the user within a design space, the computer program product comprising one or more computer storage media having stored thereon computer-executable instructions that, when executed at a processor, cause the computer system to perform the method, including the following:

• receiving one or more inputs from a user regarding a layout of one or more objects in a design space;
• rendering a three-dimensional model of the layout of the design space for display on a computerized display;
• receiving from the user one or more input selections regarding a desired depth of field of the perspective of the user relative to one of the one or more objects rendered within the three-dimensional model;
• calculating revised rendering instructions that blur at least a portion of the design space;
• and
• displaying, in real-time, the three-dimensional model with the desired depth of field to the user.