ubersubtle

Hello all,
I am a digital artist who wants to learn about Architectural Visualization. I learned of this forum from the Vray forum, where I posted the fallowing questions:

1) Is the majority of 3D Architectural Visualization done “in-house” or out sourced to a 3D firm?

2) What do you work from most of the time, an AutoCAD file, a technical drawing, Concept Art, Photograph, or something else? If you do work from some type of technical drawing or AutoCAD file, is there a standard, something that a person who wanted to do this should know how to read?

3) What do you deliver most of the time, stills, video, or something else?

4) Why are high quality 3D architectural visualizations needed? Are they used only as a “selling” tool or do they serve other purposes as well?

5) What is the demand for this kind of work? In other words If you work directly for an Architectural firm would you be doing 3D full time or would you be more likely to be handling all of the Graphic tasks: Web, Print, etc. as well as 3D when it is needed?

I’m sure there is more than one answer for these questions, but I know nothing about this industry so any information, be it from a veteran or a novice, would be helpful. I know that whoever does this work professionally is probably very busy; I want to say that your comments and time are appreciated.

Thank you

Timothy Saunders

i'm no expert, but this much i do know:

1) in my small city there are 5 big firms, 3 have in-house illustrators the other 2 out source. many smaller firms and i only know of 1 that has a superior viz team (who are also architects). so over all my guess is out of the illustrators in my small state, i would say 50/50.

2) personally, 60% cad drawings, 30% hand drawn elevations, 5% photos, 5% sketched perspectives.

3) 70% stills, 5% animations, 25% "come over to my computer and lets design this element in 3d."

4) my guess is 70-80% of my renderings are for jobs we have allready been awarded, and 20-30% are to win a job. we mainly use it to see if the client likes what we are designing. they can't understand a 2d elevation.

5) depends on the size of the firm. with reference to the answer to q#1, those firms who have full time 3d guys, we do it all day long. usually we have either marketing poeple or graphic artists handle the photoshop layout of presentation boards and coloring plans and elevations, etc. it is not uncommon for an intern or a drafter to work into doing renderings for a small firm or even some of the larger ones.

ubersubtle

Thank you for the response. That was good informaion and helpful to me.
I have a fallow up question. If I was going to use Max to do a precise architectural scene I would probably start by snapping splines down on to a grid from the top view, and then extrude them. If I had a bitmap of a floor plan, I would probably open it in Max and trace over it. My question is:

How do you work from a cad file? Do you make a bitmap from it? Do you import it and just freeze it to use as reference only, or do you actually use part of the AutoCAD file to make the Max scene – You know like convert the “AutoCAD whatevers” to editable splines and meshes?

I would think that to be forced you use someone else’s geometry imported from another program, instead of making it all yourself in Max, would be problematic- but if this is “how it’s done” I wonder if there are any tutorials that outline the import/conversion process and any place to get AutoCAD 2D files to practice on?

Thanks again for the info

jsf

Use the File Link Mangager to bring a .dwg or .dxf file into 3ds Max.

You will find the File Link Manager in the Utilities Tab (of the Command Panel) under the More button.

To work efficiently don't bring large Autocad files into Max, they with slow your ability to create, edit and navigate in the viewports. Instead create a throwaway DWG file that can be updated as you work. For example if you are creating interior walls only link the floor plan layer you need. When you are done modelling that element, delete that layer from your DWG file and replace it with another layer, such as your exterior elevation view, and then RELOAD the link.

Generally it is better not link the DWG to 3ds Max because you will lose linked geometry when the DWG file is detached. If you want to keep linked geometry in your scene use the Bind function.

Walls can be easily created with closed splines that are extruded or a solid like a box, both can be converted to Editable MESH or POLY and modified on a Sub-object level.

Use object snaps and axis constraint to manipulate objects and sub-objects.

Finally name your objects and use selection sets this will give you ready access to objects in your scene.

Nats

This I take it is assuming you build the model in 3dsmax rather than AutoCAD - dont you find 3dsmax is quite inaccurate for architectural modelmaking? I suppose working to the nearest 10mm would be acceptable for most models though but you dont seem to be able to draw lines rectangles etc to certain dimensions in the same way as you can in AutoCAD - seems that all of the accuracy comes from adjusting the size afterwards. Grids seems to play a large part in 3ds whereas in AutoCAD theyre not too important.

So heres the crunch question then - which is the easiest and fastest way of working (ie as a professional to save time and money) - doing the 3d model in AutoCAD first or creating the model using extruded lines in 3dsmax? And which software would be most intuitive to someone coming from a 2d CAD background?

Nats

notamondayfan

i personally use vis, and build the whole model in there. i import the cad drawings and use them as templates, and use the snap tool to accutately position things. i find i make up in time using vis, especially when it comes to texturing, as i use sub object materials a lot, which i set up as im modeling.
also ive tried using cad models created before i started at this practice, and i find it more hassle trying to adjust and modify models.
as for accuracy, it isnt as important as cad drawings, the client isnt going to notice if the wall is 10mm out of place, they r more likey gonna notice poor texturing and lighting.

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Pikcells Animator, Modelling & Environment Designer

SunGlare

if u have autocad background,
try to model it in autocad, solid modeling comes very handy, build blocks whenever u can, include sepate layers for each material inside, purge scene at the end.
file link with MAX/VIZ engine, aply materials, sky, mapping, u can use your blocks now as a instace of many blocks in your scene, meaning: open one of the blocks-apply materials-close block, and all the blocks where uptaded the same way. very accurate. i'm using this feature for lamps, door knobs, and many many small parts that are multiplied.
Yes, u have to come back to autocad and edit your source, if you want make any changes, but after refreshing your viz scene all the materials stays.
so use autocad, take adventage of viz.



simply I'm not buying quotes like
i'm working on a software that gives me 8 digits after zero of accurancy, why not make use of it?

i believe that interior designers are in great peace with 3dsMAX, but as an architect cant afford to being pointed for inaccuracy.

jsf

Snaps will provide the accuracy you are looking for in 3ds Max/Viz.
The magnet symbol in the main toolbar with the number 3 (or 2, or 2.5) next to it will toggle your snaps on and off. Right clicking that button will open the standard snaps window where you can set snap to endpoint, midpoint vertex, etc.

Axis constraints will restrict your movement orthogonally along the x,y,z, axis.
(this is located in the options tab of the grid and snaps settings popup)

And using the lock selection toggle, (the padlock symbol located under the timeline) will keep your object selected as you move, rotate, or otherwise transform it.

3D_IC

I too disagree that accuracy doeasn't matter in 3d models.

I'm backing Autocad for modelling

Brolloks

Accuracy in the design yes, but not accuracy in Real World Measurements. A Perspective has no dimension and you can often get away with small errors. It's called Artist Impression or Artistic License

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