First post and some advice

[Tyger]

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I figured I should stop lurking and start participating

 

I've been a user of C4D now for about a year or so and still learning and have recently taken an interest in archiviz. I mainly did 3d as a hobby but used it time to time for freelance design work I do part time. I've come across an opportunity to do some archviz work and would like to here from C4D users about their thoughts on using strictly C4D or a combination of Sketchup, Vector works or any CAD program.

 

Personally I would like to use strictly C4D for now but I've tried sketch up and love the ease of use. The only thing I've noticed is that the polys are triangulated, I know you can untriangulate in C4D but is this the best method?

Also when modeling say a building within c4d, what are some of the techniques you use? Do you start with primitives and make the appropriate cuts? Do you use Illustrator or create splines, then to extrude?

 

I ask only because I would like to start off in the right direction. I recently did some basic concept renders but found my method to be tedious, which is expected I guess for this kind of work.

Anyway, any tips or advice would be great to get me headed in the right direction.

 

By the way attached are some of the concept renders, There is still alot detail to be done as well as adding entourage. It's in it's early stages so it is not the final. Any advice on modeling this more efficiently would be very helpful.

[justintime1]

Hi there Ermin

 

Iv been using C4d for architural visulisation for about three / four years. The only real reason iv come to using c4d is it was what I was taught at university. I don’t think it is the most suitable necessarily for avchvis but it dose the trick for me and I find the ease of use, the tools and the work flow suites my particular methods of modelling.

 

As for modelling methods. I more often than not export cad dwg files in to eps , flatten them in photoshop and work from the jpg’s . I’m almost convinced that this isn’t the most effective way but it works for me. often I work form hand draw plans also so working in this fashion is what im used to.

 

Working form hand drawn plans in a pain I the ass.

 

From the plans ill mark out my basic shapes , then cut into and knock it about unitlll Iv something that I’m happy with.

 

Working form dwg files converted to splines via illustrator iv found to be a time consuming process. Having not often had any involvement with the autocad drawings i find it easier to just use them as a template and form my own splines. The splines that result form .dwg files are often need so much fettling to make them worth wile using I normally choose to just form them my self in the first place.

 

Iv just started using sketch and Toon with some nice results , Im hoping to be able to find my slef some freelance work to also..

 

 

I hope some of this has thrown a little light on my methods at least, I think every one will go about it in there own way, and im sure there are loads of different methods being use.

 

Matt

[STRAT]

nothing wrong with triangulation

[Tyger]

justintime:

 

Thanx for your input, it was very helpful. I too have found that for me anyway it's easier to create my own splines. I'm actually much more comfortable in Illy becuase I'm used to the program. I guess everyone has there own methods and techniques, I guess I'll have to experiment on what is best for me.

 

I've also started learning Sketch up and I'm realy liking the ease of use of the program. Many tedious things I've found modeling in C4D can be done fairly easily and quickly in Sketch Up.

 

@STRAT: I hear ya but it's always good to practice clean mesh modeling

[AJLynn]

You know, Cinema has an untriangulate command. It's not perfect but I've done some useful stuf with it. Sketchup exporting a 3DS file for Cinema also works well, and it can do a decent job with importing DXF files with open plines (close them in Cinema).

[STRAT]

.

 

@STRAT: I hear ya but it's always good to practice clean mesh modeling

 

you couldnt get more cleaner than my modelling. i dont think you're grasping the essence of tris. just because i model in tris why should i not have a clean mesh?

[Tyger]

You know, Cinema has an untriangulate command. It's not perfect but I've done some useful stuf with it. Sketchup exporting a 3DS file for Cinema also works well, and it can do a decent job with importing DXF files with open plines (close them in Cinema).

 

AJ, thanx for responding. I was actually experimenting with that and found out that it works fairly well actually, by grouping the objects. I'm still getting the hang of sketch up.

[AJLynn]

Search the @last site forums for a Group By Texture (or maybe it's Group By Material) plugin script. Very useful.

[Tyger]

you couldnt get more cleaner than my modelling. i dont think you're grasping the essence of tris. just because i model in tris why should i not have a clean mesh?

 

Sorry Strat I didn't mean it that way

 

I've seen your stuff and I'm very inspired by it. Any advice for a newb?

 

What apps are you using?

[STRAT]

hehe, didnt take it that way. just surprized you think tris give a 'messier' mesh.

 

i model in autocad and render in c4d, and use c4d and max for the more complicated organic models. so, 99% of my meshes are tris. but yes, it's a pet hat of mine whern peeps produce messy meshes. thats why i replied like i did.

 

any advice? yup, just keep at it. the longer you do it the better you get.