ArchVis Community Questions

[99Tarbox]

A little about myself. After 25 years in the military I retired. I’m in a contractor job in Iraq that is allowing me quite a bit of dead time that I need to fill. I’ve been using 3ds max (I own max 8 education edition) for about three years now as a game developer as a hobby, but I wouldn’t claim to be that adapt at it as of yet (I was a tester, graphic designer and project lead for the team). I also own Vue5 Infinite and will probably upgrade to Vue6 xStream. I’ve played with VRay and have really enjoyed the ArchVis side of the 3D house for the last two years. I just haven’t had the time to study the things needed to really learn this side of the 3d world.

Since retiring from the military I’ve decided it’s time for a career change. I’ve got six months at this job so I’m planning of building my 3ds skillset. Once I get home, between my retirement and what I’ve made as a contractor, I will have a unique opportunity to be able to focus on learning a new trade. I’ve decided ArchVis is the answer for me. I have two BA’s at the moment (History and Literature) so I have the basics out of the way degree wise.

I understand there really isn’t an ArchVis degree program, and I don’t think full up training as an architect is necessary either. However, I’m sure that some grounding wouldn’t be a bad thing either. What are your thoughts of classes that you would pursue, given the opportunity, which would fill out your portfolio, resume and an understanding the ArchVis industry?

Back in the states I live in small community but there are fairly good size cities close by (Macon and Atlanta). I suspect that most architecture firms outsource ArchVis in my area (except maybe Atlanta) but I am doing a business study to get ground truth. What is your experience, outsourced or in house ArchVis services?

Finally, given the opportunity of six months of uninterrupted study (sans good internet) where would you place your emphasis?

Thanks for your views and opinions. Your responses will help me and my wife focus what resources we have to reach our goals.

[innerdream]

HI,

 

I wish lots of luck in your career and thank you for your service.

 

Now onto your question. I have worked in Architecture for nearly 30 years and have a design background. The thing about Archviz in my opinion is that you must know how to read drawings and have a good sense of scale. You could start at a company where you don't have to do those things to start and learn as you go. You most likely will be asked to build models from drawings at some point so it is probably something to consider. I have built more than my share of physical models which has helped me a great deal with the transition to Archviz. Another good asset is photography because of setting up scenes and lighting. In Architecture presentations the focus is on selling a concept, design or product e.g. a building so wrap your noodle around that concept and try to wow your audience.

 

My 2 cents and best of luck.

[99Tarbox]

Thanks for the info. The Photography part is very good since both my wife and I have photography experiance...in fact most of my experiance is in LF with the ability to shift the focal plane. VRay, from what I understand, fits right in with that kind of experiance.

 

How far into architeture proper did you study? I can understand learning building techniques and styles, but I don't think knowing the tensil strength of high tensil steel will help much in 3ds max!

[innerdream]

You had better know how to build a a structure that can support the weight of a thousand pixels!

 

Can you read a set of drawings and build a house from them or a high rise? If you want to stay independent at some point you will need to be able to do that or sub out that portion of the work. A lot of stuff comes from experience and being able to know what is necessary to the model and what can be faked. There is no need to model certain aspects of a high rise as an example if it is viewed from a helicopter half a mile away.

[Ernest Burden III]

I wish lots of luck in your career and thank you for your service.

 

Absolutely! But you have to get back home in one piece.

 

Arch-vis does not require a degree in anything. I don't have a degree in anything, and I'm doing just fine in it. It does require being able to read architectural documents and understand what architects, builders, developers and marketing people are saying. Its just lingo, you can learn it. Doing rendering on computers requires computer skills, obviously. You can pick all this up through books, maybe a course, get to know a few pros who can do some mentoring. But you have to know how to think in 3D. I suspect you can, since military operations are in 3D.

 

The one part that you either have or don't, and it really cannot be taught, is the artistic part. It isn't 100% necessary, especially if you work for a studio, but it sure helps. If you've been doing photography that would help, as it trains your 'eye' to composition and lighting.

 

Good luck and get home safe.

[99Tarbox]

I know enough about reading drawings that when they built my house the builders used the plans we paid for as "reference" and built it thier way! Actually, smaller house plans I no problems with (drafting in high school, back when it was still done on a table with a pen and paper) but I suspect I would fall over with a set of office complex plans in my hand.

 

As you said thought, the structure you create in max only has to be as detailed as what the camera would pick up. A tight shot would need to be very accurate, but overhead flyby could use textural shadowing instead of actual modelled detail, by the client would obstensively determine that by the requirements.

 

So, what weighs heavier in your mind (granted you are probably a bit bias), the background in achitecture or graphic design?

[innerdream]

I think you should focus on what you want to do in the field e.g. lighting, texturing and rendering or maybe just building the model. Then hire people to do what you don't want to do or can't. There are tons of people who can do the things you don't want to do or can't do and then as you become more experienced or as the need comes up take on more and more. There is no reason to let any of it stop you from getting into the field.

 

Or...just get a job someplace and start at the bottom.

 

I have to add that my experience is in high end corporate Architecture which can be very demanding, residential and smaller projects like strip malls and shopping centers might not be so. If you want to compete in the commercial high end stuff take a look here: www.transparenthouse.com these guys are your competition, and http://www.shimahara.net I worked with Shimahara at Gensler for years. He is an Architect as well. These guys really know their stuff.