Reitveld

Hey I was reading the thread here: http://www.cgarchitect.com/vb/109-how-do-you-make-start.html about how drawings are taken from AutoCAD and imported into 3DStudio/Viz and modeled.

My question is... does anyone create their basic 3D model in AutoCAD? I create a majority of the model in AutoCAD and then link into 3D Viz. From Viz I will add in curves, details, etc. The problem for me is two fold. 1) I find AutoCAD a slow way of modeling (it is sometimes hard to snap to objects in 3D space, and it lacks a fast way of zipping around in 3Dspace) and 2) I’m not sure how to do certain things in Viz that can easily be done in AutoCAD. For example, I’m not sure how to extrude polyline walls in Viz and then punch windows/doors in those walls. Its easy in AutoCAD as I just Boolean subtract out the openings.

Anyone else model in AutoCAD? Anyone use file linking? Any good books/reference on how to quickly model in 3DStudio instead of AutoCAD?

Anyway, just some thought while I travel down the road of self-education.

Vince Paske

I model in AutoCad primarily, and with Max when I don't need to collaborate with other people in the office (who generally all model in AutoCad). On these occasions I like using lofts and shape merging meshese.
I think everyone who has been at this for a while starts to develop techniques that work and add to them when they time (yeah right!) to learn new things.
Not sure what you mean by "a fast way of zipping around 3dSpace"? Do you use AutoCad's orbit view, along with the zoom tools? I find snapping to objects in 3D space easier in AutoCad than in Max/Viz too, in fact that's one of the things that drives me crazy with Max/Viz - snapping and just drawing lines is a real chore for me. Also you can't start a line, move your cross-hair and type in distance in Viz or Max, but then it wasn't meant to be a drafting program like AutoCad.
There are boolean tools in Viz and Max, but I don't use them very often - they always were hit & miss. I think a lot of people use Power Booleans.
I can't live without file linking. It's gotten a lot better over the years. Geometry comes in fast, without the normals being flipped all around and there are lots of options as to how you want the AutoCad model brought in. And, if you work in a design environment, it makes changes in AutoCad translated into Max a breeze.

Chad Warner

I use AutoCad almost 98% for modeling. Things in Viz that I model are curbs and stuff that like that which I use Viz's lofting. Also things like terrains ore anything free-form.

-Chad

Onslaught

99.9% AutoCAD Modelling here.

__________________
My MAIN Site
My other Site

Bhanu

I use AutoCAD & ADT for major modeling work. File linking goes well with Viz 4.0. George Umara's books on AutoCAD would help you....

__________________
Bhanu

STRAT

i also model 99.9% in acad. the only bits i model in viz usually are more organic curvy bits like hand rails oe certain sweeps.

But, i also model my site plans in viz - i draw all the splines in acad then loft them in viz. like layering a cake.

i never ever file link. never have done. doesnt suit my style of modelling

Reitveld

Hey everyone. Thanks for your thoughts.

Calvino: oh ya I use the orbit tool in AutoCAD however you have to invoke it. In Viz or Sketchup you just need to hold down an extra key and you can orbit and pan very quickly. I also like the precision that the snaps offer, but if you notice that sometimes when the UCS is oriented towards a face it becomes harder to snap to the appropriate thing (for example a window getting copied will suddenly snap down towards the ground plane as apposed to the wall plane).

Strat: I’m amazed you don’t file link. But that said, I’ve been learning (at my new job) to work with existing 3DStudio files that were not linked to AutoCAD. The people I replaced didn’t do it either. I’m guessing they did not because they were true MAX people not VIZ people.

Cheers!!!

C.Vestal

Up until a year ago, I started in acad 99% of the time. Now, 20% of the time.
I find myself in acad more when I have problems snapping in viz or really complicated designs.

__________________
Chris Vestal
Concept Vision LLC

STRAT

Reitveld - as i say, it's not my cup of tea. i forced myself to use it when viz first came out, but it really doesnt suit my modelling style. slowed me down too.

by the time im ready to go into viz my model is finished anyway. i have no need to model in acad and simultaniously develope it in viz at the same time.

i use cad and rendering as 2 separate entities. acad does everything i want. (as i say, other than curvey bits) so when i import into a 3d app i material it and light it all in 1 session. i have no need for progress rendering. if i do i just import my model into 3d app and render it's basic form then.

fred_bock

Strat way rules...
i model everything in cad, no solids, and the only file linking i do it's the x'ref.