Exigent Posted June 1, 2006 Share Posted June 1, 2006 Hi, Im new to architecture and was wondering what is the best software around to use? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manta Posted June 1, 2006 Share Posted June 1, 2006 Uh oh.... there is no easy answer to that, but I can tell you that you can use anything you want, and as long as you like that software, then its the best for you, they all have their ups and downs, so thats the good news, you have alot of choices, If I had to make an educated guess I would say that most people on here use Autodesk software i.e. 3ds max, viz, autocad, ADT and revit, some people use a combination of those, some people only use one... Then there is archicad, vector works, rhino, formZ, C4D, Maya, I could go on for ever... And the there are the choices in render engines, vray, maxwell, FR, Brazil, Gelato... Sorry, I don't mean to make it more complicated than it was before, but thats the reality of it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soulctrla Posted June 2, 2006 Share Posted June 2, 2006 Im an architect and my core products are : Autocad (2000/2005/2006/2007*)- 2D Drawing - designing buildings - Plans Elevs - Sections I DO NOT MODEL ANYTHING IN AUTOCAD - ITS BAD NEWS - VERY NASTY INEFFICIENT MODELS. LEARN TO MODEL IN MAX - 3DSMAX - get a subscription and you are always gonna stay current - im on 8 I generally model using Splines - either drawn in 3DSMAX or imported from AUTOCAD - remember if your lines arn't closed properly in CAD they wont extrude properly in max. Final Render - Stage 1 - service Pack 3a currently or Vray- your choice - vray is easier to get a grip on and probably animates better - either or both do great GI (global illumination) and raytracing. Final Toon - comes with Final Render - you can output models to Vector linework when you render - making great illustration type images -you can easily edit in illustrator or Photoshop and they look like hand drawn 3d perspectives. Photoshop CS 2 - if you think you know Photoshop - YOUR WRONG - its a vast program which takes years to master - so many people come to work now and say "i can use photoshop" the reality of this is Grim. they think being able to stick photos on a page and put a text title next to them is using photoshop - THIS IS BAD NEWS - LEARN THE TOOLS OF YOUR TRADE. NOTICE THERE IS NO DRAWING BOARD TO BE SEEN IN MOST OFFICES. IN THE DAYS OF BOARDS AND ROTRING PENS IF YOU COULDNT DRAW YOU DIDNT WORK IN ARCH OFFICES. THE SAME PRINCIPLES APPLY TO CAD THESE DAYS - LEARN IN AND LEARN IT WELL Sketchup is a handy modelling tool - imagine it as the 3D equivalent of sketching on paper. if you put the work in you can model most anything in Sketchup- i have even managed Curves with 3 different directions/planes using the follow me tool. - BUT - dont use Sketchup to model with use a proper modelling program. Sketcup is not intended for fully detailed models. STAY AWAY FROM VECTOR WORKS - I READ A POST ON HERE TODAY THAT SAYS SOMEONE WAS REJECTED AT INTEVIEW BECAUSE THEY DONT RECOGNISE VECTORWORKS - A GIRL WHO WORKS IN MY OFFICE LEANED VECTORWORKS AT UNI - I HAVE HAD TO TEACH HER AUTOCAD FROM SCRATCH. Its not what employers want to have to do. *ADT - REVIT are variations on a theme of AUTOCAD - they produce big nasty clumsy models - the detail is to much the meshes are nasty - use MAX To model with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manta Posted June 2, 2006 Share Posted June 2, 2006 He's 16 years old, its a little early for him to be spending 5 or 6 thousand dollars on software... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJLynn Posted June 2, 2006 Share Posted June 2, 2006 Yeah, I'm thinking something more along the lines of free Sketchup (sketchup.google.com) and maybe a student version of some package like Cinema (see journeyed.com for all your student software needs) or the free Personal Learning Edition of Maya (from autodesk.com). Don't do CAD, it will just make you hate drafting, and don't do Max/Viz - if you were to pay for a 3D package, Cinema is much more fun and intuitive but still able to get very good results. Of course, for getting started, there's nothing like a pencil and sketchbook. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nic H Posted June 2, 2006 Share Posted June 2, 2006 If cash strapped try a student version of ArchiCAD (2D/3D). Pretty easy to get to grips with and really good once you learn it properly. That said its still not as common as Autocad. If you interested in doing Visualization 'find' a copy of Max and vray and learn them inside out. I found them very rewarding to use and learn as opposed to pure architectural programs. Basically just pick something, (everything has its pros and cons) and start using. Its the only way you are going to be able to get an idea of what you need and want. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manta Posted June 2, 2006 Share Posted June 2, 2006 Ya, that's a good idea, sketchup, or blender is free and so is wings3d, I don't think he can get a student version if he's still in high school, can he ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJLynn Posted June 2, 2006 Share Posted June 2, 2006 I bought Photoshop and Painter student versions when I was in high school and got a discount on a Wacom to boot. Totally forgot about Blender - that's another good idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobM Posted June 2, 2006 Share Posted June 2, 2006 Get Sketchup first and learn that, get all the component add on's the best part its free http://www.sketchup.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hector Posted June 2, 2006 Share Posted June 2, 2006 STAY AWAY FROM VECTOR WORKS - I READ A POST ON HERE TODAY THAT SAYS SOMEONE WAS REJECTED AT INTEVIEW BECAUSE THEY DONT RECOGNISE VECTORWORKS - A GIRL WHO WORKS IN MY OFFICE LEANED VECTORWORKS AT UNI - I HAVE HAD TO TEACH HER AUTOCAD FROM SCRATCH. Its not what employers want to have to do. This a very misleading statement. Even more when you seem to be located in UK. Why don't you pick up an issue of BD, or AJ's. You will see that VectorWorks Is commonly mentioned among the job offers. Visit a webstie like http://www.bespokecareers.co.uk/ and you'll see that for instance right now 3 of the first 9 job offers listed mention Vectorworks. Not bad for a software employers don't want to know about. Now, about the original post: VectorWorks is a fairly good option as any other, very easy to learn and very approachable and intuitive and Very Powerful. It is a LOT more affordable than other options and comes with a fairly good set of 3d and 2d tools. It is full of advanced features, you can for instance export 3d models in .stl format for rapid prototyping right out form the basic Vectorworks version (VectorWorks Fundamentals), just to mention one. check this page out: http://www.nemetschek.net. There is a plug-in for Cinema 4d which allows to share models so if you need advanced rendering feature you could rely on Cinema. You can also export your Vectorwork models to Piranesi. If your choice for 3d is Sketchup (amazing software by the way) you will still need a CAD software for your 2d tasks. there is a FREE plug-in to take your Vectorworks models into Sketch Up an viceversa. check this pages out: http://www.sketchup.com and http://download.sketchup.com/downloads/product/Interoperability%20Diagrams%20v.2.pdf (for sketch up export file formats). It is a good idea to find a good combination of CAD software + 3DVisualization software able to work together and share information, this will save a lot of time whatever your choice in software may be. If you are about to study architecture you certainly will have to do a lot of both tasks: 2d and 3d. Visit web sites, try demos, make your own choice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Exigent Posted June 2, 2006 Author Share Posted June 2, 2006 He's 16 years old, its a little early for him to be spending 5 or 6 thousand dollars on software... Yeah I'd agree with that. I'll be graduating next year, and I want to get some kind of design done to present to a college for admittance. I love drawing my own design's on paper, but im not a great drawer unfortunately. When i took Architecture for a class elective a year and a half ago I used to use chief archiecture, which is probably a terrible program professionally to many of you. Also, this is a little off topic, but I can see that there are all different kinds of courses to that you can take for architecture and im not sure which one would be the best one to major in. I'd appreciate all the help I can get about that. Anyways, Thank you all for helping me find a program to get started with and ill look into the others in my future career. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mahorela Posted June 29, 2006 Share Posted June 29, 2006 it's a sad fact of life the autodesk are dominating the cg industry, not just architectural visualisation. It is however a fact. If I were you I would ensure that my primary software, ie the software I learnt on and am most comfortable with is autodesk software. If your looking more towards architectural work, I would get into autocad, if you want to do visualisation work, 3ds max or VIZ. I'm pretty sure there are affordable student versions of both. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E-Rchitecture Posted August 8, 2007 Share Posted August 8, 2007 well, Autodesk software is the most widely used generally and if you can learn AutoCAD and Revit, then they'll put you on the right foot if you end up learning Microstation/ArchiCAD at uni or in a job. I learnt Revit 8 first, the newer versions produce good models and drawings. The rendering engine is out of 3DS MAX, so you can produce some stunning renderings too (but be prepared to wait for up to 20 mins..it is worth it though!). http://www.geocities.com/e.rchitecture/Projects.html has some examples of stuff I've done for my 1st yr BA Architecture course. Revit also has a good support base ( http://www.revitcity.com ) and full sets of video tutorials can be easily obtained ( http://www.dgcad.com - 8hrs worth of training! ) It's easy to learn and accurate, it does take some work to master but the results you get are satisfying. And you can still do 2D linework if you want. Even though AutoCAD is still the 'standard' - alot of people are waking up to Revit and Autodesk see it as the future of their Architectural graphics products. If you really want to do 2D work first, then go for AutoCAD, if you can use that reasonably well then you can easily cross over to another package. Again, video tutorials can be found at dgcad.com - about 6hrs+ You don't have to go for the latest versions, AutoCAD 2006 and Revit 8.1 can probably be bought alot cheaper now they've been replaced by the 2008 series - look on ebay or similar or contact autodesk or one of their vendors, you can probably get a good deal. I'm using ArchiCAD at work now (not out of choice). It does have its benefits but is fiddly and awkward - I wouldn't recommend it to a newbie Microstation too, has some benefits but alot of stuff is hidden, whereas AutoCAD has most things within view. If you want to learn 3D - get Maya PLE, it's free and is easier to pick up then 3DS MAX and gives you a good base to learn the ins and outs of polygon/nurbs modelling etc - again alot of tutorials can be found at http://www.thegnomonworkshop.com As far as the course goes... if you like designing buildings, go for a good ol' BA in Architecture.. you can then MA in a related field such as architectural engineering or interior design. but worry about you BA first! lol don't worry about you MA until you've graduated from you BA a good option is to enter through a foundation degree course (1 foundation year + the 3yr BA), not sure if they have those in the US but give it a try. If you want to learn to dra better...PRACTICE!! it's the only way to better yourself. some good books to help you are how to draw everything - ISBN 845611977 c$6 Color drawing for architects - ISBN 0471741906 (get the 2006 edition as it has some good additions) - c$39 - THIS IS A V GOOD INVESTMENT FOR THE KNOWLEDGE IT GIVES YOU I hope that gives you some food for thought. let us know how you get on Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAWUK Posted August 13, 2007 Share Posted August 13, 2007 Hi Why dont you try this out, came across it recentley. Best bit its free, down loaded it for the daughters laptop, Its aimed towards sketchup users,the images are from the web site not bad at all. http://www.kerkythea.net/joomla/index.php Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJLynn Posted August 13, 2007 Share Posted August 13, 2007 It looks like Kerkythea has added some good features in the last year or two. I'd be spending some quality time with it if it weren't for mental ray 3.5... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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