What is the best way in making 3d model in Architecture?

juan · November 15, 2005

Hi,

I always make my 3d model of building in autocad. But when i am in 3ds max and import the 3d model that i made in autocad, i find its not nice to apply materials to the model. I tried to make model direct in max and its nice to apply materials.

The problem, it takes time to make 3d model of house in max. Is there any Plug-ins that I can use to make model in max and make it more faster or is there any other way.

Thanks,

Juan

STRAT · November 15, 2005

i make all my models in autocad. it's just a simple case of understanding your softwares better.

juan · November 15, 2005

i make all my models in autocad. it's just a simple case of understanding your softwares better.

I have a friends in architectural firms in U.S., They are making direct model in max so that they will not encounter problems in putting materials. I have also a friend i dubai they also making models direct at max..

I also see that model in max is much more better that in AUTOCAD....

I can see and feel the differences..

STRAT · November 15, 2005

I also see that model in max is much more better that in AUTOCAD....

I can see and feel the differences..

again, thats a lack of understanding of your autocad modelling.

infact, a cad system is always better than a 3d rendering package for modelling. it's the nature of the beast.

this argument has been argued the toss for years. ultimately if you prefer modelling in max then go ahead and do so. it also depends on your modelling style and technique.

max will NEVER be as accurate as autocad, but how accurate do you need to be?

yes, max is easier (or should i say faster) to map and material up objects, but then you're missing out on all the benefits a cad system model will give you.

as i say, it's up to you. allot of pros will only model in max, and thats perfectly fine 2 different modelling techniques that both can work perfectly.

i model all my stuff in autocad even though i'm fully fluent in max too.

as originally mentioned, it's your lack of knowlege of the softwares which is the problem, not the softwares themselves

juan · November 15, 2005

again, thats a lack of understanding of your autocad modelling.

infact, a cad system is always better than a 3d rendering package for modelling. it's the nature of the beast.

this argument has been argued the toss for years. ultimately if you prefer modelling in max then go ahead and do so. it also depends on your modelling style and technique.

max will NEVER be as accurate as autocad, but how accurate do you need to be?

yes, max is easier (or should i say faster) to map and material up objects, but then you're missing out on all the benefits a cad system model will give you.

as i say, it's up to you. allot of pros will only model in max, and thats perfectly fine 2 different modelling techniques that both can work perfectly.

i model all my stuff in autocad even though i'm fully fluent in max too.

as originally mentioned, it's your lack of knowlege of the softwares which is the problem, not the softwares themselves

ya, autocad is more faster, and architectural destop an revit is much more faster........

what im asking for... is that..... anyone who knows 3ds max can give me an IDEA ...IF there's a plug-ins or any way that i can use to make 3d modelling direct to max to be faster....

Thanks for your response strat,

juan

anvaraziz · November 15, 2005

ha ha ,, u feel acad is faster , couse ur deep with that soft, but for those guys who started with 3dmax , they feel 3dmax is faster than any other,

if u understand how 3d morks, means whts vertex, polys , faces etc,, then u dont have any prob modelling with max,,, drawing lines and extruding is only the first chapter in 3d modelling, and thats the main thing in archvis....

for me i dont have an archi background, i started to love 3d by using 3dmax..

i use to import dwg files to max, and keep it as referacnce and model every thing in max itself.... so i get full control over my mesh while texturing. or for any later changes (thats ususal ) ......... hi hi

so my point is , if u try to work more time with max, ull get more touch with its tools , and it makes u faster... now ur working more with Acad, and thats y u feel ACAD faster for u..........

anvaraziz · November 15, 2005

also, i dont know there is any specific plugin that helps u to model faster...

there r specific plugins, buts its disigned for specific purpose , like powerboolean, powernrubs etc....

ipdesigner · November 15, 2005

*I second to STRAT, it is still a lack of knowledge of both softwares. It all depends on how you understand the tools and everything. The longer you are using the software the easier it will be. Concentrate on one side only. There are pros who works faster in MAX but slow in ACAD and vice versa. i started modelling in MAX and still end up in MAX. i saw somebody doing it in CAD and i found it faster for them, but when i tried it felt exhausting and ardous. furthermore, it doesnt bother the outputs you are getting in, it goes the same way.

bjornkn · November 15, 2005

It sounds like you prefer to model in AutoCad, but that your real problem is how to apply materials to those models in Max? Maybe there are tools/plugins that will help there?

I don't use neither Max nor AutoCad, but since I started using SketchUp for modelling/texturing I would never consider going back to Lightwave, Cinema4D, trueSpace or TurboCad for doing this. It takes a fraction of the time, and you can get just the precision you want, and it's all automatically (or manually) UV mapped. It imports dwg/dxf/3ds very well and exports the same + obj and a few other formats.

IC · November 16, 2005

This will probably just annoy as it's slightly irrelevant but there's a plugin for LightWave called LWCad and it lets you model in a CAD like fashion.

Since there are a million plugins for Max there must be something similar out there.

STRAT · November 16, 2005

This will probably just annoy as it's slightly irrelevant but there's a plugin for LightWave called LWCad and it lets you model in a CAD like fashion.

Since there are a million plugins for Max there must be something similar out there.

that sounds fantastic. they've just recently released a cad style version of C4D too, but it basically costs the same as another C4D seat.

as for max? afaik nothing like this exists, well, certainly not as a handy plugin

Juan Altieri · November 16, 2005

ha ha ,, u feel acad is faster , couse ur deep with that soft, but for those guys who started with 3dmax , they feel 3dmax is faster than any other,
if u understand how 3d morks, means whts vertex, polys , faces etc,, then u dont have any prob modelling with max,,, drawing lines and extruding is only the first chapter in 3d modelling, and thats the main thing in archvis....
for me i dont have an archi background, i started to love 3d by using 3dmax..
i use to import dwg files to max, and keep it as referacnce and model every thing in max itself.... so i get full control over my mesh while texturing. or for any later changes (thats ususal ) ......... hi hi
so my point is , if u try to work more time with max, ull get more touch with its tools , and it makes u faster... now ur working more with Acad, and thats y u feel ACAD faster for u..........

i agree with you, modelling in max directly if you understand meshes and how edit them is the best way......

IC · November 16, 2005

I think making statements like Max is better or Autocad is better is misleading.

Only the individual can judge which is better and that probably comes down to which they find more intuitive.

I use Cad AND 3d apps for modelling depending on the circumstance. It is much easier to get millimetre accuracy in Cad programs due to their nature. If that's not required, my workflow will really speed up using a 3d app, just because it's more geared towards 3d modelling than a precision 2d/3d modeller like Autocad.

Don't rule a very useful part of your kit out because someone else doesn't use it.

Vince Paske · November 16, 2005

I've found the best way to bring in models from auto-cad to Max is the File Link Manager. Never had a problem with normals and the amount of control you have regarding what\how you bring a model in is great.

lol - it's funny to hear (once again) all the people stand on their soap boxes and say which is better...cad vs. max. I've trained and have actually timed interns 3d modelling, letting them choose max or cad modelling....the max people wouldn't like the results of my "personal" findings. hehe, but then these are young archi-interns without years and years of experience modeling, maybe just a max course or two in college.

3ply · November 16, 2005

I've been modeling in MAX since 1998. I started modeling in cad and switched due to the interactivity of Max. Modifying objects with the use of instances saves me alot of time. I have a co-worker who is the opposite. He models everything in cad. Its hard to say whats faster.

Da_RoCk · November 18, 2005

I used to model everything autocad... and even still sometimes. but most of the projects i have done recently are directly in 3ds already. There is no plug-in or an instant way to learn how to model in acad to max... you have to learn the ropes. ACAD = keystrokes to be faster / MAX = keystrokes + clicks... the whole point is they have different interface. find time to understand them and then ull be working in both platforms in no time. But if you are in the point of modelling everything accurately then autocad is the way to go. i second on anvaraziz and juan points, learn to controlling the subobjects of primitives is the thing for max.