3D Layer Name Standards

[joseph alexander]

Is there a universal modeling standard for layer names? Like an AIA standard.

 

Right now I'm pretty crude and layer by material.

 

M= Model

CRV= Curve

LT= Light

 

example

M-floor_engl_bay

Crv-Floor-Grout

Lt-Lamp

 

It's been pretty frustrating at our office because when we get models from other people we rename them. Thinking "this is the way it should be done" then it goes back and they rename them.. so I'm trying to find out if there's a standard..

 

thanks,

-joe

[JamesTaylor]

i don't think there is a universal standard for layer names, especially in arch viz, some arch firms do implement their own standards but nothing that crosses all.

[joseph alexander]

Also, for a material library how do you organize your textures?

[Crazy Homeless Guy]

Not sure about industry standards. I don't think the modeling world is that organized (collectively speaking). We have a standard layering system for AutoCad, but it does not really work in our model world. We export our models out of our modeling software to render in another software. We organize our models by the material. So it would go something like this

 

BLDG red brick

BLDG mullions

BLDG glass

BLDG spandrel

BLDG blue glass

 

SITE ground

SITE asphalt

SITE parking lines

SITE concrete

 

..ect ect.

 

This way, when we bring the file into a new program, 3dsmax in our case, we simply apply materials by layer.

 

The only real complaint I have about it is isolating object, or parts of buildings. I model in FormZ, so typically I have 2 or 3 files open, one of which is a scratch file, where I will copy perts of the building into to work on, then I will paste them back into the main file.

 

If the building is complex I might have 4 or so different files, and they will always be separate model files. I will then FileLink them into Max, and it is only then that they are in the same file. So the curved facades may never see the curtain wall until I am almost finished.

 

(edit....)

 

I have my texture library broken down into 2 areas, custom textures I created, that I own the full rights to, and stock textures that were purchased or downloaded.

 

Then my directories are pretty typical.. see attached image.

[vizwhiz]

Joseph CHG and All

 

over The years i have evolved into using a modified AIA layer system for 3d

since Theoretically 2d plans should have A-LYRS-NAME-GOES-HERE for Lyrs

 

i decided to use

 

0-BLDG-* for Bldg layers

0-SITE-* for Site layers

 

This puts The 0-LYRS-* at The Top of The List (alphabetically)

 

ie

 

"-00-LV-E" -P 7 (white) "CONTINUOUS" Default

"-00-LV-N" -P 7 (white) "CONTINUOUS" Default

"0" -P 7 (white) "CONTINUOUS" Default

"0-BLDG" -P 8 "CONTINUOUS" Default

"0-BLDG-ARCH-MTL0" -P 83 "CONTINUOUS" Default

"0-BLDG-ARCH-MTL1" -P 254 "CONTINUOUS" Default

"0-BLDG-ARCH-MTL2" -P 8 "CONTINUOUS" Default

"0-BLDG-AWNG-MTL1" -P 30 "CONTINUOUS" Default

"0-BLDG-AWNG-MTL2" -P 21 "CONTINUOUS" Default

"0-BLDG-AWNG-WALL" -P 25 "CONTINUOUS" Default

"0-BLDG-AWNG-WALL-2" -P 43 "CONTINUOUS" Default

"0-BLDG-CNPY-MTL1" -P 254 "CONTINUOUS" Default

"0-BLDG-CNPY-MTL2" -P 191 "CONTINUOUS" Default

"0-BLDG-CNPY-MTL3" -P 142 "CONTINUOUS" Default

"0-BLDG-CONC-ACCS-RAMP" -P 9 "CONTINUOUS" Default

"0-BLDG-CONC-COLS" -P 9 "CONTINUOUS" Default

"0-BLDG-CONC-FLAT" -P 8 "CONTINUOUS" Default

"0-BLDG-CONC-PADS" -P 9 "CONTINUOUS" Default

"0-BLDG-DOOR" -P 171 "CONTINUOUS" Default

"0-BLDG-DOOR-JAMB" -P 9 "CONTINUOUS" Default

"0-BLDG-LGTS" -P 135 "CONTINUOUS" Default

"0-BLDG-ROOF-BAND" -P 254 "CONTINUOUS" Default

"0-BLDG-ROOF-FLAT" -P 254 "CONTINUOUS" Default

"0-BLDG-WALL-MTL0" -P 41 "CONTINUOUS" Default

"0-BLDG-WALL-MTL1" -P 142 "CONTINUOUS" Default

"0-BLDG-WALL-MTL2" -P 104 "CONTINUOUS" Default

"0-BLDG-WALL-MTL3" -P 33 "CONTINUOUS" Default

"0-BLDG-WALL-MTL4" -P 11 "CONTINUOUS" Default

"0-BLDG-WALL-MTL5" -P 223 "CONTINUOUS" Default

"0-BLDG-WIND-FRMG" -P 9 "CONTINUOUS" Default

"0-BLDG-WIND-GLSS" -P 151 "CONTINUOUS" Default

"0-BLDG-WIND-GLSS-BACK" -P 51 "CONTINUOUS" Default

"0-RAMA-POST" -P 35 "CONTINUOUS" Default

"0-RAMA-ROOF" -P 116 "CONTINUOUS" Default

"0-SITE-ACCS-SYMS" -P 2 (yellow) "CONTINUOUS" Default

"0-SITE-CONC-CURB" -P 9 "CONTINUOUS" Default

"0-SITE-CONC-FLAT" -P 254 "CONTINUOUS" Default

"0-SITE-CONC-FLAT-1" -P 31 "CONTINUOUS" Default

"0-SITE-CONC-FLAT-2" -P 161 "CONTINUOUS" Default

"0-SITE-CONC-GTTR" -P 9 "CONTINUOUS" Default

"0-SITE-CONC-GTTR-MTL1" -P 252 "CONTINUOUS" Default

"0-SITE-DUMP" -P 9 "CONTINUOUS" Default

"0-SITE-DUMP-GATE" P 33 "CONTINUOUS" Default

"0-SITE-DUMP-POST" -P 8 "CONTINUOUS" Default

"0-SITE-LAND-GRSS" -P 106 "CONTINUOUS" Default

"0-SITE-LITE-BASE" -P 9 "CONTINUOUS" Default

"0-SITE-LITE-LAMP" -P 27 "CONTINUOUS" Default

"0-SITE-LITE-LITE" -P 7 (white) "CONTINUOUS" Default

"0-SITE-PARK-LINE" -P 255 "CONTINUOUS" Default

"0-SITE-PAVE-BLOW" -P 253 "CONTINUOUS" Default

"0-SITE-PAVE-PARK" -P 51 "CONTINUOUS" Default

"0-SITE-WALL" -P 35 "CONTINUOUS" Default

"0-VPRT" off -P 5,130,255 "CONTINUOUS" Default

 

ok This lost all of The TAB spaces

 

but as you can see i separate LYRS by physical arch category

and Then add The appropriate TEXTURES and Materials in VIZ later

 

This allows you To model independently of any colors material assignments

which sometimes happens later (if ever) i like to just model The Bldg Project

 

1st Then add M and T later

just my way of doing Things

 

i am sure That There is a better way, but This works for me

 

**

 

Randy