Clara Posted June 3, 2003 Share Posted June 3, 2003 Hola, I am new to 3DStudio Max- I am an architectural designer and am experienced in Form-Z, which I find a very intuitive program for architects. I have found this job, in high-end arch. modeling and animation and my employer wants the eyecandy that 3DStudio MAX can offer. I was so happy to find this site...I don't feel alone anymore! I am one of those architects who want to concentrate on design, the end product and the art in illustration and virtual reality animation. I have the following questions-If you could help me out that would be Fantastic! Good Karma to you:) 1. Where can a find a free trial version of 3D Studio Max? 2. Does 3DStudio Max open AutoCAD dwgs? 3. What is the difference between MAX and VIZ? Which one is the most PHOTOREALISTIC? 4. In Form Z I could do shade studies, picking the location and date for the Sun, can I do that in MAX, is there a plug-in that could assist me? thankyou thankyou thankyou......cgarchist Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quizzy Posted June 3, 2003 Share Posted June 3, 2003 Welcome.... answers: 1. Contact a nearby reseller 2. Yes 3. Both are photorealistic, only MAX has a light tracer renderer (which is very slow btw) 4. Its standard in MAX (and VIZ), And if you want the suntime in your renderings, check my site under the maxscript section.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sawyer Posted June 3, 2003 Share Posted June 3, 2003 Welcome - Originally posted by cgarchist: I am one of those architects who want to concentrate on design, the end product and the art in illustration and virtual reality animation. Good - I think here we all favor architects who are designers. Originally posted by cgarchist: 1. Where can a find a free trial version of 3D Studio Max? 2. Does 3DStudio Max open AutoCAD dwgs? 3. What is the difference between MAX and VIZ? Which one is the most PHOTOREALISTIC? 4. In Form Z I could do shade studies, picking the location and date for the Sun, can I do that in MAX, is there a plug-in that could assist me? thankyou thankyou thankyou......cgarchist 1. I have never found a free demo version of max. I have seen hacked versions that crash and are very incomplete. The line here is that we really do not support hackers/warez so don't go there it is not worth it. You will not be welcome if you use an illegit program. I know there was a cd demo of viz 2 years back but I don't know if they still offer it. 2. max opens cad files with a bit of tweaking. Sometimes it works great other times you need to help it along. Viz interacts much more smoothly with cad and architectural desktop. 3. Max is really an all around modeling animation tool. Viz is JUST FOR ARCHITECTURE. Viz comes with a little out of the box cad tools (walls windows and plants etc). Max has much more modeling flexability. Both will get you there both take time to learn Viz might get you there faster max will get you further. Some say viz is on it's way out I don't know. I have used both I use max because I keep hoping I will teach myself animation. 4. yup you can do sun angles in both. Welcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quizzy Posted June 3, 2003 Share Posted June 3, 2003 trial version is available, I picked one up at EDIT/VES frankfurt. And you could ask someone to make a copy of their original CD or lend the CD to you, and then you can use it for 30 days. Its the trial period, after that period you can decide to buy it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MegaPixel Posted June 3, 2003 Share Posted June 3, 2003 I have about 5 MAX 5.0 Demos sitting here on my desk, they are very easy to come by. I have no problems getting 2D AutoCad data into MAX and as Sawyer said, the 3D AutoCad stuff needs a hair tweaking, not enough to panic though. Before MAX 5, there were differences between MAX and VIZ. Now MAX has the same rendering capabilities as VIZ and if you purchase a subscription program for MAX (As I did), you can have access to the Design Extension which gives MAX all of VIZ's AEC libraries (Windows, Doors, Stairs, Foliage,etc...) which converts MAX into a kind of All-in-One 3D Studio Solution. MAX also offers a more robust animation engine with the added benefit of special effects and a few more Texturing options as well. MAX 5 comes with a Sunlight and Daylight system, both with the ability to specifiy an exact time and location in the world as well as animate the track of the Sun over the course of any amount of time. As everyone here has stated, MAX 5 can do what you are asking for and more and there are plenty of active forum particpants to help you adapt to the world of MAX if you decide to give it a try. Cheers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clara Posted June 3, 2003 Author Share Posted June 3, 2003 I want to thank all of you for your helpful replies! I feel much better about my imminent plunge in the world of 3ds Max. As I read in one of the forums, the strictly engineering and architecture modeling software are limited in terms of "believability" and animation, even though they are more percise for us architects. I am sure with time and practice I will be just fine! The results I have seen while using 3ds Max are AMAZING. One more question for you: 1. What do you think is the best tutorial book on 3ds Max for Architecture? I have ordered Fundamentals, the 3ds Bible and 3ds Max Magic. 3ds Max Ground Rules seems very well written but there is no v. 5 book, just v.4. They seem good books to learn the ropes. I have done my research in Amazon (readers' reviews) but I was wonering what you thought about and if there is a 3ds Max book strictly for architecture application. I will call the local discreet seller to see if I can find a trial version...we are ordering the full v. but it would be nice to have something to get started... thank you again!! cgarchist Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nisus Posted June 8, 2003 Share Posted June 8, 2003 1. Where can a find a free trial version of 3D Studio Max?computerarts had a demo on a cover disc nisus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nisus Posted June 8, 2003 Share Posted June 8, 2003 books about modelling strictly for archviz? I know only one... an old 3dsdos3/4 book from new riders... Architectural Rendering: A bad book since the modeling is explained in ways that create over 1200% too much faces IMHO! Anyway, I learned a lot from the book... indirectly of course On the otherhand it was very comprehensive and to be honest, it's about the only 'not so good' book from new riders I've read (and I've studied more than 20 so far) rgds nisus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vizwhiz Posted June 8, 2003 Share Posted June 8, 2003 hi There cgarchist, here is a Link to a List of Links (for VIZ): home page has Info for Training CD's etc http://www.viz2000.com VIZ link: http://www.viz2000.com/html/link/viz-link.html VIZ Books: http://www.viz2000.com/html/book/viz-book.html Mastering Autodesk VIZ 4, by George Omura and others **** Max 5 Book by Ted Boardman http://www.tbmax.com/ a link to his book is listed at his website **** i dont have any specific books for arch modeling if you find some let me know i collect this kind of Info Thanks Randy www.viz2000.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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