Professional Architectural Visualization

[FlytE]

Yes nevermind though

[Justin Hunt]

What really cracks me up with this discussion of accuracy, how many CAD drafters are 4 demcimals accurate? I don't draft but what gets me is how drafties can't even line up columns or worse lift cores in a multi story building, let alone draw a foot path with a combination of curved and straight line so that all lines joint up. I don't know how many plans I have had to redraw just so that I can model accuratly.

 

Modeling in Max is as accurate as the user. 10mm of accuracy isn't enough 1mm is.

 

JHV

[FlytE]

yeah my process is usually to strip out the autocad plans and model in viz. The other day I was given a task to model something in my office, only to find that when i had finished it the architect discovered he had made a mistake so big, that a large section of it needed remodelled. Happy Days.

[Trevor Tizard]

I also am starting to use Viz to model in preference to AutoCAD simply for speed. If I can I'll trace over elevations with the 2.5D snap tool. As for accuracy, Viz is quite capable of working to 1mm or less. It's down to you to choose how well you want to model.

[IC]

Modeling in Max is as accurate as the user. 10mm of accuracy isn't enough 1mm is.

JHV

 

I don't agree. Drafting, yes-there is no excuse for less than exact accuracy. CAD is designed to make it laughably easy but people do make mistakes.

 

But unless a 3D model is required for something that requires 1mm accuracy(ie something other than rendering), what is the point of being so precise? The tolerances on a site will be greater than 10mm so it follows that viz work should have this flexixibility too as we are trying to portray the building post-construction.

 

If I model in CAD it will be 100% accurate. If I model in 3d apps I relax the sphincter a little.

[FlytE]

Im inclined to agree ian, but saying that I do understand why some people want their models to be precise to the mm. Its down to preference rather than necessity, but the perfectionist in me understands why.

[Brian Cassil]

answering from a personal point of view -

 

1) in our firm we do 80% in house, and about 20% sourced out when we're too busy.

 

2) i work from all of the above mentioned as per normal. generally, autocad DWG plans, sections and elevations are the material i start out with. i like to print these out to scale onto paper, then scale off with my ruler to start a fresh new 3d drawing.

 

3) 85% of what i deliver is stills. 15% animations. the stills are generally A3 colour prints and the anims are usually MOV files.

 

4) read my web site description. i give a full detailed list of why archi cgi is a benefit. (link in sig )

 

5) i work full time in a firm drawing pretty 3d pictures/models all day. it's generally a full time job for a single in-house guy. I can also pick and choose any after hours private work i do. work is pretty plentyfull in my part of town. but then, the bigger and better your reputation and experience the easier it is to find work.

 

 

in general, it's a great proffession to be in, but you WONT get rich quick and thats garanteed!!!!

 

it's taken me over 15 years to really start to enjoy the fruits of my labour.

 

Except for the printing out scaled drawings and working from those, this is exactly my experience proffesionally. Steven also has about 5 years more experience than I do as well. I think there are quite a few of us who do something VERY similar to what you've described, actually.

 

I wonder, do you ever have conflicts between the "extra" work and your day job? In other words let's say you have a work deadline that may require some extra hours but you also have an "extra" work deadline that is going to require those same hours to get the job done.

[Sawyer]

I wonder, do you ever have conflicts between the "extra" work and your day job? In other words let's say you have a work deadline that may require some extra hours but you also have an "extra" work deadline that is going to require those same hours to get the job done.

 

I had that once back when I was working in an office. My project was due Mon but I had been waiting for the last round of redmarks from my boss for 2 weeks. Fri I got the redmarks and it was assumed I would work all weekend to finish but I had made family plans as well as told a client weeks ago that I would be done with their project early in the week. I finished everything but I was pissed at my boss.

[Justin Hunt]

It amaizes me that there is this assumption that it is quicker for 1 person to model, render, extract elevations and make design changes, all at the last minute (because the designer just could be asked to make the effort), yet there is a team of drafter, 2 to do the plans , 1 for the elevations and 1 for the sections. All are working towards the Friday deadline and all forgetting that you have to wait until they are finished before you can start.

 

"Hurry up and wait" is my mantra

[edub]

can I just say that if 10mm amounts to 1 pixel on screen, or print - no one will know the difference.

 

everyone here seems to get bent out of shape about accuracy in modeling, when really it's a matter of scale altogether.

 

That said, using a computer program with built-in snaps, there's really NO excuse for inaccuracies.

[otacon]

My philosophy on rendering, if it looks right it is right.

[STRAT]

 

I wonder, do you ever have conflicts between the "extra" work and your day job? In other words let's say you have a work deadline that may require some extra hours but you also have an "extra" work deadline that is going to require those same hours to get the job done.

 

hasn't happened yet.