jamesgallagher

Add a UVW map modifier to the extrusion. Just make it a box and play with the size until it looks how you want it.

It will last you 2-3 years. The CPU rendering wont be very fast as that processor only has 8 threads. It will be good for everything else though, gaming included.

You're not going to be happy with the processor if you're doing lots of CPU based rendering. And you wont be happy with that 1050 if you're doing lots of GPU based rendering. The CPU and RAM should be your number one priority. You might be better off buying a cheap used laptop to travel with, and a desktop at home for rendering. That's just my opinion though, I'm not a huge fan of laptops for any sort of 3d.

As long as you're doing CPU rendering and not GPU rendering is shouldn't make a difference.

This is from Chaos Group, if you're wanting to know what hardware works best: https://labs.chaosgroup.com/index.php/rendering-rd/v-ray-gpu-benchmarks-on-top-of-the-line-nvidia-gpus/ If you're not into the super high-end hardware I would stick with Nvidia's 9xx or 10xx series of cards. GTX 970 or higher, GTX 1060 or higher.

I bought a curved LG 34UM97 but found it played with my eyes in Revit and AutoCAD, I returned it for the flat model (34UM95)

You're correct, modeling is single threaded but typically for architecture the polygon count isn't so high that you would sacrifice render performance. If you go for faster cores you will get better modeling performance but do your models have that many polygons that this is a concern? I've never ran into anyone who would chose faster cores rather than more cores for rendering. Everyone is different though though, if you don't care about waiting for renders then by all means go for faster cores. As for the GPU, if you're only using Vray with Sketchup then I really wouldn't worry about a decent GPU because Vray will only use your CPU for rendering. If your firm is even the slightest bit interested in VRay RT or any software like Unreal Engine, Lumion, Substance Painter, Substance Designer, etc. then get yourselves a Nvidia 1070 or 1080. Stay away from Fire Pro's and Quadro's, they're very expensive and typically used in industries that do massive physics simulations with programs like Solidworks. It used to be that CAD programs would benefit from a workstation card, but gaming cards are so powerful now that you would never notice a difference. Put the money you would've spent on that M4000 and put it towards a better processor(S).

Neither of those computers is a good investment for rendering. I would avoid Apple computers for rendering. You want to get as many cores and as much memory as you can afford if you're going to CPU rendering. The PCSpecialist computer you mentioned only has a 6800k, I would aim for dual Xeons if it fits the budget. If you're planning on doing GPU rendering (not sure if Sketchup has VRay RT) then focus on GPU and memory, I would get at least a 1070. Avoid workstation cards like the Fire Pro and the Quadro. They are not what you need, especially for the price.

It would speed up renderings if you were using a GPU render engine like VRay RT, but it won't speed up the viewport. I'm also fairly certain that Lumion doesn't take advantage of SLI either. Are you struggling with viewport performance in 3ds?

High-end workstation cards are made for things like very large scale CAD programs, like Solidworks simulations and calculations. The drivers are optimised for these programs, but you'd never notice a difference in Max. For what you need it for it's just a waste of money. I'm pretty sure Lumion recommends 'gaming' cards anyways. The old days of having a 'gaming' card and a 'work' card are long behind us, and unless you were using some specialised CAD software that demands a Quadro then it's a waste of money.

Don't waste your money on a P6000, especially if all you're doing is Max and Lumion. If you have the money to blow then buy a Titan, otherwise go for a 1080.

That must be it, looks great!

Where did you get the sun and planet models? They look like Elite Dangerous assets.

This has been the case for a long, long time. I really wish people would stop recommending workstation cards. Don't get me wrong, they have their purpose, but this surely isn't it.

Try Corona, I am fairly new to the 3d world as well and Corona seems to be the best fit for my style. They have a great tutorial series on YouTube.