Hola...First Post

[studiotwo3]

Just wanted to say hello to all you CG noblemen and noblewomen in my first ever post here. I've been by a few times and figured I should sign up...

 

My name is Jason...I work for an architecture frim in Minnesota (US)...I started working with 3ds Max 8 about 2 months ago. I did my first rendering about a month ago. So I am very 'wet behind the ears' as they say...but I am quite hungry.

 

I recently had the company purchase me "3ds Max 8 Architectural Vizualization" because I heard good things about the book. Mainly from here...So far its been pretty cool...I'm sure it will get me going this early on...

 

Are there any other good books similar to that one? My company dishes out a $250/year allocation for "continuing education" and books are covered under it. So I think I will use that fund for getting books when need be...I have $190 left...

 

The other thing I want to inquire about is rather long, so I will save it for another thread...

 

Take Care All!

[John Dollus]

Jeremy Birns book on lighting is a good one.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0321316312/sr=8-1/qid=1152890857/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-3184599-2619225?ie=UTF8

 

If you are or will be using Vray, I would suggest the Vray DVD series available in the Vizmasters store. It is a good introduction and covers quite a bit.

Training DVD's are more prevalent than books for our specific industry.

I would also suggest going through some of the Gnomon traditional illustration DVD collection and seeing if anything jumps out at you.

[studiotwo3]

Thanks John, I will look into those...

 

I haven't gotten into VRay at all. But the DVD shouldn't hurt because eventually I will...

 

Which eludes to the second issue I spoke of: My company does not feel that 3D is worth spending money on for tools, yet of course they expect photorealistic results. We have 1 3D guy who had to pull teeth to get one license of Vray. I am to become the second 3D guy here but I am sure I will get left out of the Vray loop of things for a while...

 

I think its possible to convince them, I work for a good company, but they are rediculously stingy with this issue...

[John Dollus]

It's just business in general.

If you present it in a way that appeals to that, it should not be a problem. As an extremely simplified example, you and the other 3d artist employed by them can currently produce a rendering for them every x hours. If the firm invests $800 in additional software for you, it will decrease the time it currently takes to produce a rendering by x hours. The other 3d guy can probably help come up with those numbers. create a scene in Max and give it to him to replicate using Vray. If you are using Lighttracer and Radiosity, the Vray times will be significantly faster and make your case. If you are only using scanline, then the time combined with the apparent quality of the output will make a strong point.

Of course, there is the major point to make that only one person can use their existing license at a time and they currently have enough 3d forecasted to dedicate 2 people.

[studiotwo3]

Thats kind of what I figured. Its the usual case of ignorance influencing business decisons. the big guys don't know what this stuff does so they see it as "toys"...Its not that they wouldn't spend the cash but I dont think its been presented to them in a manner geared towards business...The other issue is that the 3D output here is minimal. So we are somewhat looked at as possibly having a power within because not everyone can do this stuff.

 

The gear inquiries have basically been him saying...(in short) "I need _*this*_.... and its $800.". Then he gets shutdown with the ole "business wants vs needs" speech...I dont think its ever been put out there in a way of business terms. I've only been around this for 2 mos. and I feel confident that they will get the picture (no pun) once its physically shown to benefit the company...