Modeling Architectural Stuff !!

[mrdino]

Hi All !!

 

One simple question :

What is the most feasable way to model in a neat way ?

I mean do you usually use Polygon Modeling through native tools in MAX or through another software package ? (Using Nurbs or Patches) !!

 

I usually use Rhinoceros for modeling then export Nurbs model into Polygons to MAX !! But i face problems of neatness and render times !!

 

I need an effecient solution that looks neat , yet renders Fast through third party renderers like VRAY / MENTAL RAY / BRAZIL ,etc. !!

 

Thanks in advance !!

[STRAT]

thats usually down to your own experience m8. CAD, SketchUP, Max, C4d etc etc will all do nice uber clean modelling.

 

but some methods are more messy - rhino and nurbs are 2 examples.

[mrdino]

Hi STRAT ,,

 

Thanks for your quick reply ,

I know Rhino will mess up things , but i find it the easiest way to model from CAD drawings , maybe if i import CAD files into MAX i'll be getting more neat results , but MAX has no commandline like Rhino , which will make modeling proccess easier !!

 

I'll try doing some projects through MAX and i'll check for modeling time !!

 

Thanks again for your reply !!

[tanni]

In my experience CAD is very easy to do the basic model then max8 – time.. I think it is the shortest way to do it. There have few process to model in CAD.

[RobMc]

I do most of my modelling in Rhino because I find nurbs much more flexible and therefore faster in most cases (except for organic stuff where poly modelling has the advantage).

 

The down side is much larger poly counts but as long as you have plenty of ram this shouldn't be an issue.

 

Also look at poly reduction programs such as polycruncher.

[mrdino]

Hi RobMc ,,

 

Thanks for letting me know of the polygon reducing software ,,

 

Tanni , Rhinoceros does have most of commands of AutoCAD , but it does Nurbs !!

[anas]

cad is an easy thing to do modeling, the only certain thing lies on the capabilities of the user:rolleyes: www.3dcafe.com

[Tim Saunders]

I like to think my models are "neat." I import my plans and elevations into viz/max, position them and trace the elevations. Enabling the 2d snaps allows me to snap exactly where my lines need to snap. I just extrude my line tracings and extrude for most stuff. Along with lofting shapes along paths(similar to "follow me" in sketchup, not sure what it would be called in rhino and other programs).

[abywater]

I find the newest version of AutoCAD arch. desktop to be really nice! They included a new mass element feature that is quite similar to sketchup, but, its MUCH easier to then file link it to MAX8 to render. Then you can go back and edit the model in cad...update in max...and it will save all the material, light settings you had in your scene...you'll just have to apply materials to the changed objects when you reload. That's by far the best way I've found in my personal style of creating models from autocad drawings.

 

And, I use vray for most rendering, but, would be open to other suggestions if people like other renderers better!?!

[jtiscareno]

Andrew please tell us more on AutoCad 2007! I have been modeling in cad since the start and I have not changed since, I was reluctant to SU and tried to jump into it but could not, that face thing drove me crazy, cad is very very dumb and anal but I like the precision of it.

 

To make a long story short, we have recentely model a big cmaups in 4 diffrent software, half was done in SU, then the other buildings where done in revit, cad and max (dont ask why) and then import everyting into max and then xref scene each bldg into the master file. Everything looks great and one can not distingush one from the other, it is all on the user of each software, your good and clean on any of them and the model is good an clean. But SU has been the little hero of the project (also the modeler) it has done a great job and then importing the 3ds with only one multi-subobject material to control finishes is fast and easy.

 

But please let us know more on cad 2007, I am very intrested in the new push-pull stuff and the new render upgrade on it.

 

So my two cents and experince is that, use whatever you are comfortable in and it wont matter what you use, and if you can combine two or more packages the better, like cad and max, su and max, su and cad, etc...

[mrdino]

Hi All ,,

 

Thanks for your all comments and recommendations ,

 

I used to model in AutoCAD , but the problem is if you wanna have something organic , you can't model it in CAD !! Say if you wanna model a spiral staircase for instance !!

 

Tim , i think your way of modeling seems to be the best one , because you have CAD drawings imported into max , you loft natively inside max which doesn't cost too much render times , and you can be precise by using 2D Snaps !! Maybe that's why you were elected in the AVC comeptition !!

 

Anyway , thanks for everybody's reply , and i hope this post has clearfied few things about architectural visualization techniques used !!

 

Good Luck for All ,,

 

Fadi

[STRAT]

Hi All ,,

 

Thanks for your all comments and recommendations ,

 

I used to model in AutoCAD , but the problem is if you wanna have something organic , you can't model it in CAD !! Say if you wanna model a spiral staircase for instance !!

 

not really true. you can model in solids in autocad and get a nice looking curvy spiral staircase, but it isn't particulaly easy or clean.

 

i'll model 99% in acad and use max for organic things. nice combination.

[mrdino]

Hi Strat again ,,

i know you can model a spiral staircase in AutoCAD , but the problem is that you need an easy way to do it , it takes so much time and the process is too tedious to do !!

 

Anyway , thanks for your advice ,,

 

Ciao ,,

[IHAB]

Hi Fadi

 

I used to combine between archicad & max, but found max much flexible & faster ,as for precission you can import dwg lines in max .thats my way.

[mrdino]

Hi Ihab ,,

Thanks for your reply , it seems that importing CAD files into max to be the most effecient way to render fast , yet have neat models !!

 

Thanks ,,

[antonio_frias]

I find that when I import dwg files into Max, that my computer slows down quite a bit. When I file link I don't have that problem. Does anyone else notice that or am I importing the wrong way?

[IHAB]

.dwg ,that works as splines.but what is file link?I have no idea about this ?

[FlytE]

I do all my modelling in viz, using basic chamfer boxes, boxes and other parametric solids as long as i can until i start needing to get into more complicated modelling. Even then i would try to use and edit mesh modifier as long as i could before converting it to a full mesh.... if at all.

 

I do miss archicad though.

[Mario Pende]

I usually use Rhinoceros for modeling then export Nurbs model into Polygons to MAX !! But i face problems of neatness and render times !!

 

Do your self a favor and stop this stupid debate - get Npower RhinoToMax.

End of your problems!

[anindia]

really cad fits quite comfortable

[William Alexander]

not really true. you can model in solids in autocad and get a nice looking curvy spiral staircase, but it isn't particulaly easy or clean.

 

i'll model 99% in acad and use max for organic things. nice combination.

 

Easy part....? twisty curvy ascending things aren't easy in any application and get exactly what you want, the way you want it.

 

Clean? Tutorial somewhere around here...method like that is pretty clean. Especially useful if you have 2D lines from a stair shop in autocad format. Some things, imho, just work best polygonal modeled. Havn't touched AutoCad for Modeling since Modo, though wish the snaps were as good Haven't had any AutoCad stuff handed to me either

 

WDA

[Antisthenes]

my advise don't even leave Rhinoceros

just hook up Vray for rhino of Maxwell for rhino (or brazil for rhinoceros when it gets out of beta) assign matterials/shaders by layer/object and go.

 

also if you could tell the people upline from you who give you CAD thEy can try rhinoceros beta 4 and do all their construction documents in rhinoceros too now.