Which rendering software to use for SU model?

terankmitch · May 28, 2006

Hi Everyone,

This is a new site for me and I'm really very happy that I've found it. Your posts and comments have been informative and, yes, even fun to read through.

My questions start here: I'm a second year grad student, trudging my way through school and trying to maintain a semblance of sanity. I'm sure you all understand. I have been looking for a companion program that compliments the versatility and ease of use of SU and have found that there are too many to know where to begin.

Artlantis looks decent, I've been fiddling with it for two days or so. Others have mentioned Lightwave and 3DS and Camera4d(?), but they are incredibly expensive. So what would you guys suggest as the most propitious option for a poor, young, lowly grad student?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Teran

AJLynn · May 28, 2006

Sketchup+Artlantis is a fairly common choice, to be honest I never had much respect for Artlantis until somebody posted some really excellent images he did with it on the Maxwell forum - the software isn't as important as the person using it. Maxwell looks tempting, but there are a lot of problems with it, so I can't recommend it.

I'm a fan of Cinema4D with Advanced Render or finalRender2, and have also got a lot of mileage out of Sketchup->Max and Viz. As part of a workflow for bringing in a Sketchup model and rendering, depending on how much you plan to animate, Viz is usually just as good as Max. With either of those, Vray Free is very useful and Chaosgroup will give you a student discount on Vray Advanced. Check with your school and department, they may have good deals - for example, at Syracuse we could get a package of ADT+Revit+Viz for $99/year. Also, journeyed.com sells most of this at student prices and Vizmasters has some discounted stuff too (Shop link at the top of this page).

terankmitch · May 28, 2006

Thanks for the suggestions. I've discovered that my question has been a common one in other forums so I apologize for the redundancy. However, I would like to thank you for the suggestions, they've been very helpful.

Oh, here's an off-topic question. Have you ever heard of a man by the name of William Truitt? He's a graduate from Syracuse and quite an interesting fellow.

Thanks again.

Teran

tcorbett · June 2, 2006

I've done the Sketchup to VIZ thing on numerous occasions (3DS Export). It works well and requires only a little adjusting once you bring it in.

I've also had good luck with Piranesi. It's NPR render styles applied to a view, but the effect is quick and can be quite attractive.

terankmitch · June 4, 2006

I've been fiddling around with Artlantis for the last week or so and like the results that I've seen. I've also seen a lot of Piranesi renderings as of late and like the more "drawn" look that they produce.

I'm shying away from VIZ and 3ds given the cost of the programs and lack of compensation from my current employer. I've wowed him with just Sketchup models so he doesn't see the need to buy any rendering software yet. Oh well.

Thanks for the input Corbett, and take care!

Teran

AJLynn · June 4, 2006

Haven't been on the computer much in the last week - busy moving - so I just got caught up here. No, I don't know Wiliam Truitt, but there are a lot of Syracuse grads I don't know

Piranesi always looked interesting to me, and there's a good integration between the programs (Sketchup exports the file type that Piranesi imports) but unless they've made changes recenly Piranesi isn't a renderer like other programs, it's more like Painter - it gives you a lot of pen, pencil and brush options, and you draw with a pen tablet - but a bit "smarter" in that it has 3D information in the file and lets you do things like paint only on certain objects, or faces in certain directions.

One other thing to look at:

http://www.softlab.ece.ntua.gr/~jpanta/Graphics/Kerkythea/

It's a free GI render system with a Sketchup script.

terankmitch · June 5, 2006

"Haven't been on the computer much in the last week - busy moving - so I just got caught up here. No, I don't know Wiliam Truitt, but there are a lot of Syracuse grads I don't know :)" LOL, I didn't think so but I couldn't resist the temptation toask.

I've downloaded a copy of the kerkythea program (I have yet to install or fiddle with it though) but I haven't really seen any example images so as to gauge what it can do.

If you've done renderings with kerkythea and wouldn't mind posting them I would like to see a few.

Thanks.

Teran

Milos Hadzic · July 3, 2006

I like this render from kerkythea.

http://www.mfbb.net/kerkythea/kerkythea-about172.html

I think it was done in Sketchup.

Camby1298 · July 3, 2006

Hey Teran,

Cost shouldn't detour you away from 3ds max or Maya. If you go to www.studica.com you can find some great prices on expensive 3d applications with valid student identification and information.

terankmitch · July 3, 2006

I'm pleased that this post is still producing responses.

Camby, I stumbled onto Studica.com when I was looking for an affordable copy of Revit. I didn't get a chance to look at Maya or 3ds yet but will do so. Thanks for the heads-up.

Milos, the images you led me to were very nice. I'm starting to wonder if interior renderings are more popular than exterior? I'd be more interested in the exterior, night or evening renderings where I can add spotlights, or sconce lights on a building.

Thanks again Gentlemen, you have been very helpful.

Teran

tecton3d · July 3, 2006

studica is where I've picked up 90% of the software I have. It's cheaper than what VaTech offers to M.Arch students!! Just beware, it takes a while for your order to go through so don't expect a speedy turnaround.

I also picked up (actually stole for a measly $200) a kit of plugins for 3D studio Max via Turbosquid (at the time they were calling it TurboToolkit2) which included FinalRenderSt.g 1, afterburn, dreamscape, and a host of other advanced animation and texturing stuff I've yet to scratch the surface of. So you may want to check them out and see if they have any specials going.

In my opinion, go for a full-rendering package.... maya, max, viz, etc

AJLynn · July 3, 2006

Don't steal from Turbosquid

I'd chime in and suggest that if rendering is your main concern and you don't mind spending a bit, go with Viz and either use mental ray with it (not easy to learn, and I've been trying) or get something like Vray or finalRender 1 (both have student pricing). Check with your department and see if they have any deals - at Syracuse we had a deal where we could get ADT, Viz and Revit for $99 for 1 year or $199 perpetual.

pni · July 6, 2006

Hi Guys Still Trying To Finrd Out The Difference Btw Viz & Max

Kind Of Confusing To Me

AJLynn · July 7, 2006

Viz is Max Lite. It's supposed to be Max with just the features used by visualizers, not animators, so it's cheaper, but a lot of people in design vis do want the extra features and get Max anyway.

tecton3d · July 10, 2006

Don't steal from Turbosquid

rubbish

Hi Guys Still Trying To Finrd Out The Difference Btw Viz & Max
Kind Of Confusing To Me

I remember someone saying in a post a while back that with Viz - they hope/think they can do something, with Max - they know they can... IMO ~ means a lot if you're earning your bread (or grades) with these softwares.