Design Sequence? (be gentle, it’s a newbie)

[max44]

I’m seeking some friendly advice from all the experts out there.

I am an eager enthusiastic somewhat knowledgeable newcomer to the visualization field. Before I take my first step into this new field I want to know what the prime software suite I should concentrate my training efforts on. After pecking around this website for a while it seems that the typical design process goes something like AutoCAD (drafting & planning) > formZ (modeling) > Maxwell, Vray, 3Dmax (rendering) > photoshop (post production). Is this the standard sequence? If anyone could give me any advice and/or recommendations that would be splendid.

[AJLynn]

Most people don't use FormZ. Autocad plans -> 3DSMax modeling, with your choice of renderers, is pretty standard, and there are a bunch of people using Cinema4D as well, and Sketchup for modeling the simple stuff. A lot of this is personal or business preference. Also, post work in Photoshop is an important part of many/most people's workflow.

[DennisHolland]

The standard in teamwork:

 

- AutoCad/ADT > 3DsMax > Vray/Brazil/Maxwell/MentalRay > Photoshop

- Vectorworks > Cinema4D > Vray/Maxwell/MentalRay > Photoshop

 

Best is to get yourself a trial-package and get familiair with both teams to see which suits you the best and feel most comfortable with. There's much more on the market, but these packs are the most common, nice to work with.

 

Dennis

[Tommy L]

If i was starting from scratch and wanted quick results, i would get a copy of one of the major 3d apps. You can do 2d drawings, 3d models, lighting materials, rendering, the whole shooting match except for the post-production work. In other words, start with an app that can model and render. Keep it simple till you know the basics.

Good luck!

[AJLynn]

2d plans in Max? Life is too short.

[max44]

Why is everyone so down on formZ as a modeling program?

 

...I’m only asking because I have a "beginners" background with the program and I was under the impression that it better suited to the architecture industry.

Is it really worth it to scraping the little knowledge I have with formZ to journey down the Max/Viz path?

Thanks for the feedback thus far.

[bjornkn]

I have never used FormZ myself, but I have been tempted to buy it a few times, so I have read quite a lot about it through the years. My general impression is that it is a yesterdays program and that the GUI is not good. There seems to be a lot of ex-FormZ users around, especially on the SketchUp forums.

To choose software you need to know what you have to do.

I have a CAD program (TurboCad), but so far I have never had to draw any plans, elevations or anything there - I get all that stuff from the architects.

For making architectural models and landscapes I almost exclusively use SketchUp (it's definitely not only for simple modelling), working directly from 2D plans/elevations, and often 3D contour line topo models.

It works very well, and SketchUp reads most dwg/dxf files without any problems.

For PR renderings I use LightWave, which is very useful because of its FPrime realtime renderer plugin which allows you to instantly see what happens when you change a material or move a light.

I also have C4D and trueSpace, but I never use them any more.

For post I use Photoshop, but I guess there's a lot of other programs out there that will do the job too.

[Crazy Homeless Guy]

there are lots of variations to the way people work... for me...

 

autocad > formZ > 3dsmax > vray > photoshop/aftereefects

 

...although i prefer microstation over autocad, and really wish 3dsmax was a little less bloated, and never changed from version 3.95.