Mac OS X Users

[MTU Student]

My current desktop is an iMac G5, running Mac OS X (10.4). Can any architects inform me as to what software titles they use for their projects on the Mac platform, and what function each program or suite supplies.

 

I have complete authoring and editing capabilities for scientific simulations, audio and video editing, but am lacking in any cad or other design programs, though I do have Blender, Maya PLE, and Wings3D available. Thank you in advance for any responses.

[pmanahan]

sketchup and maya, I am not an architect but a visualizer/illustrator in this field.

 

pmanahan

[Adehus]

Not a complete list, but:

 

Lightwave

Cinema4D

FormZ

Sketchup

Maya

Vectorworks

 

I use FormZ mostly, so that's the only app I feel qualified to comment on...It's an extremely powerful modeler, but not without it's downside. You can see a discussion of it here:

 

http://www.cgarchitect.com/vb/showthread.php?t=11042

[jucaro]

I wonder if 3ds Max would run native on a Mac when the 1st batch of intel Based macs arrive.

[jackb602]

My current desktop is an iMac G5, running Mac OS X (10.4). Can any architects inform me as to what software titles they use for their projects on the Mac platform, and what function each program or suite supplies.

 

I have complete authoring and editing capabilities for scientific simulations, audio and video editing, but am lacking in any cad or other design programs, though I do have Blender, Maya PLE, and Wings3D available. Thank you in advance for any responses.

 

 

Hey, it's good to hear from the UP! I've made a bunch of trips up to the Keweenaw over the last few years and can't wait to get back.

 

As for software recommendations, it depends on what you want to do. Vectorworks seems like a very strong CAD app for OS X, and ArchiCad has a good following as well. For visualization, I use FormZ for modeling, and Cinema 4D for everything else. Also Maxwell is a new incredibly realistic rendering engine still in beta for OS X. Tell us what you plan to do and we can give you more specific advice.

 

Jack

[MTU Student]

jackb602: The last time I did any architectural work was with Autocad six years ago. I'm looking to get started within a 3d discipline, and wasn't interested in game or character design, but in turning to 3D architecture and build upon my 2D background. I'm looking for a cad program to do full sets of plans suitable up to civil engineering standards, and another program that can scale up to 3D for visualization purposes. Also, have you tried Maxwell, and if so, does the exporting from Cinema4D work well (looks as though it's available as a plugin)?

 

Adehus: After downloading both demos for FormZ and Cinema4D, I have to agree with the concensus in the linked reviews you gave. One of the things that has made me hesitant to delve too deeply into Maya (and subsequently FormZ) is the UI, and Cinema4D seems to be heads up the rest from my initial viewing.

 

Some questions for the users of Cinema4D:

 

1.) What 3D features is it missing? As in rendering features, modeling specifics, animation tools, etc.

 

2.) What featureset do you feel needs an overhaul and perhaps compare anything broken with another app that handles the issue more correctly.

 

That should cover what I needed to know, the input from you posters has been very valuable.

[Adehus]

Chris-

 

The Maxwell plugin for C4D is not yet as fully developed as the Max version is, but it's pretty well integrated in terms of ease-of-use. It's to the point now where I'm finally starting to get some interesting results from it. The OSX version of the Maxwell rendering app isn't very stable yet, though, and the render times are pretty tough to swallow at this point. NextLimit promises improvements in all of these areas.

 

I very new to C4D, but I'll just point out that many users here tend to work in another app (like FormZ, Vectorworks, etc.) to create their architectural models and then export the results to C4D for final rendering and animation.

[Monarch]

I am an architect responsible for all stages of design and documentation of various projects - my own plus as sub-contactor. I use Archicad for 90% of my work as this produces everything I need - plans sections axo's perspectives (even door window schedules) etc are a direct product of the model. For presentation I export into Artlantis for very fast (but ok) rendering and C4D for more sophisicated results (or organic modelling) - v little extra work is required for this - just add some people, cars etc (mostly the rendering software can do this).

 

And now Archicad has announed a plug in for C4D for direct organic modelling within the archicad interface (this was never Archicads strong point but for conventional buildings nothing comes close- I have used Autocad on PC and Vectorworks but not Revit as not available for Mac OS)

 

Archicad is expensive but worth it if you use it to earn your living

 

Harry

[mdbassett]

I am a mac user myself and I am using VectorWorks and Cinema 4D. I used to use ArtLantis. But as regard using 3DSMAX on the Mac I was at a 3DSMAX show a couple of weeks back and they guarantee that it will be available for OS X "towards the end of summer" now how true that is I don't know.

 

M.