Modeling in 3ds

[3darchitect]

Hey All,

Ok, I'm totally new to 3ds and have a few architecturaly related modeling questions. First, what would be considered the easiest/best ways to model walls (and windows and doors)? Also, under that topic, is there anything in 3ds that is similar to the OSNAP in ADT? And, what would be the best way to model roofs? I have a new project with an extremely complicated roof. I'd appreciate any help, info or tips. Thanks

[only3d]

1- u have a 'wall' tool as well as doors & windows

its under the AEC section in CREATE.

 

2- there is snap tool as well (its the red magnet in the main toolbar)

 

3- there is no 1 way to do anything in MAX its just a matter of what u know and what ur most comfortable with..

but frankly if u know how to work with ADT there is really no reason to model anything of what u mentioned in MAX

im familiar with both of them and ADT is much more suitable for arch modeling

(by far!) especially if ur new to MAX as it sounds

 

good luck anyways

[3darchitect]

Thanks for the feedback.

Well, I've already done one project where I modeling in ADT and used the File Link in 3ds, but it turned out to be a big pain and it wouldn't import properly. I guess what I really want to know, is if there is one way or another that will be more beneficial in the long run - aka, adaptability, flexibility... bla bla.

[only3d]

sorry for my stubborness but i still insist on my opinion.

i know there are some problems in working w ADT (i think i know what problems u r experiencing all of whom are solvable) its just a matter of following a few guidelines and developing workflow habbits, still its much much easier than modeling entirely in MAX (and i actually think most people here will agree w me on this) trust me! again- this is considering u r comfortable w ADT

 

if u want u can specify all your "pains" and ill try to help out

[3darchitect]

Thanks for the opinion and stuff. I guess I'll just tinker around and see what feels best on my end. Thanks again

[brianzajac]

Your question about walls has been asked countless times so there is a lot of good reading you might want to do. Here is a search of all 3ds Max posts containing the word walls.

http://www.cgarchitect.com/vb/search.php?searchid=577241

 

As far as the recommendation of using ADT for walls and roofs, I disagree. Besides the highly likely possibility of ADT not being redeveloped after its current release, ADT has only a small fraction of the modeling power that 3ds Max has. Granted, if you want to do basic walls and a basic design, you can't beat the speed of ADT. But if you need to create complicated walls, windows, doors, roofs, etc, then ADT is not the way to go. The posts in the link I've attached say as much. In 3ds Max, there are 2 main ways users create walls, lofts (my favorite), and Edit Polys. Both are great and both have their advantages. As far as roofs, I have have a good roof plan in AutoCAD to start from, I can import the linework into 3ds Max and knock out the model of the roof in 10-20 mins, depending on complexity. While it's true you can knock out a good roof model in ADT in literally just a few seconds, it's ability to create complicated roofs is limited.

 

Good luck.

[pirallah]

Ive also used to model in ADT but now am getting grips with max modeling and IMHO, its definitely better and could handle more complicated shapes. The difficulty in transitioning from ADT to Max modeling is that max needs a different mindset than ADT, and it doesnt really help relating the way the snaps work in autocad to how it works in max. I guess what I did was to really force myself to use max everytime to get used to the interfaces. After a few tries, it gets easier. I really struggled at the start in understanding how the snaps work, because I still had ADT hangovers. The faster you get over this, the faster youll learn max.

[plastic]

for walls, i don't recommend the wall tool...it sucks.

what i use is either extruded closed spline contours,

or single spline paths, extruded, and a shell modifier on top, for depth.

you can easily cut out openings if the wall is a flat poly in a modifier stack, and the geometry is more likely to be clean, than with the AEC wall/windows boolean mess.

[3darchitect]

Thanks for all the help and advice. I'll take it all into consideration and account when I'm deciding what works best for me. Thanks again