Proper workflow question

[erephas]

Hello, I'm an architectural engineering student from Lithuania and this year I have to make a project of family house.

 

I made my ground, first floorplans and section cuts with AutoCAD at this time and now I have to make a visualization. It would be easy if my house were of "normal" walls, but they're rounded... I've attached some photos so you have a glimpse. So, how should I start in Maya? Is it possible to import CAD files and extrude walls, then somehow round? Or should I start modelling right in Maya? I need a good direction now, thanks

[HamburgerTrain]

I always start from AutoCad DWG import.

 

A warning though Maya 2008 and below will import DWG okay, but sometimes there are errors...Maya 2009 works very well with 2008 version DWG.

[shaneis]

...start from AutoCad DWG import...

 

I'll second that. If you can't import your CAD work, you'll have to manually create curves and then use lofts, extrudes, fillets and bi-rails to create your surfaces. What you will be creating is a "multi-patch" surface.

 

If you prefer polygonal style modelling, then create a low-res poly as the start of your massing process and then convert to sub-d to smooth, add detail and finish.

 

Good luck!

Edited November 20, 2008 by shaneis

[erephas]

Hi, thanks for your answers. I can't afford commercial version of Maya so I'm using Personal Learning Edition. I guess it's impossible to import dwg because of that, but I've realized I can import picture files and draw subdivs on top.

 

I see that Maya is very suitable for free-hand modeling .

[shaneis]

No, you should be able to import the DWG's. The PLE version is fully functional but has a watermarked render. Check the plugin manager (Window > Settings/Preferences > Plug-in Manager) and turn on the "loaded" and "auto load" for DirectConnect.mll

 

Here's a link to one of the best online Maya for Architecture resources I've seen - it is aimed at beginners, enjoy!

 

http://toi.bk.tudelft.nl/toi-pedia/index.php?title=Maya

 

and for CAD to Maya,

 

http://toi.bk.tudelft.nl/toi-pedia/index.php?title=Export_AutoCAD_to_Maya

Edited November 20, 2008 by shaneis

[erephas]

Thanks shaneis, that link helped me a lot!

 

I've succesfully finished my first project, even though the final rendering could be more polished. I've learned that Mac OS X version of Maya doesn't support DWG importing, so I had to draw NURBS surfaces on top of plan and section images. It's a shame that Maya has a very limited DWG support too, a feature that could have a lot of use. I guess I'll try to render my next project with 3ds Max and see the difference between these programs.

 

Thanks for all your help!

 

Here it is: