Open Source CAD drawings.

[Valtiel]

Hey there. As I mentioned in my intro thread, I'm trying to get into Architectural Visualization from medical animation. I've been using 3D Studio professionally for a few years and am confident in technical skills. One of my biggest obstacles is I don't have any existing building or environment portfolio pieces to show potential clients.

 

I'm reading through the 3DATS training books (amazing books) and want apply those techniques to some portfolio work. Most importantly I want to be familiar with the CAD drawing -> 3D workflow. Problem is I don't have any Architectural design background or drawings to work from. I'd prefer to work from a professional or at least student design.

 

Are there any open-source or creative-commons published dwg's out there I could use (and properly accredit, of course) to begin building a portfolio?

[neko]

why not invest some time taking an architectural CAD drafting course at SAIT, or another local college ?

 

i'm sure they would have a course with autocad and/or revit.

Edited June 26, 2009 by neko

[Valtiel]

It's definitely something I've considered. While I'd like to eventually be able to edit and clean linework in AutoCAD, in the short term I'm more interested in being able to take an architect's drawing into 3d Studio and model it. Plus the design and building concepts of an architect take much longer to train.

 

Time's a concern too. I'm currently working 2 jobs and doing several open studies courses at the UofC this summer, fall, and winter. It's a good suggestion, Neko, but using AutoCAD/Revit is probably part of my more long-term plans.

[neko]

some people might offer you up some more professional drawings, but here are my two suggestions (this search for architectural drawings is a common thread request..)

 

http://www.cgarchitect.com/vb/21904-architectural-drawings.html

 

http://www.cgarchitect.com/vb/23416-3d-floorplans-siteplans.html

 

http://www.cgarchitect.com/vb/25645-autocad-workflow.html

 

http://www.cgarchitect.com/vb/21165-interior-blueprints.html

[Valtiel]

Thanks, Neko. Sorry for the late reply. I'll definitely check those out. That book you mentioned in the blueprint thread sounds really good.

[mskin]

do you have cad? i think there are some drawings in a "samples" folder or something.

[Valtiel]

Nay, mskin. The closest thing I have is Rhino 3. One could see it as a bit of a catch 22 but I'd have to land a good contract to both afford and justify the expense of AutoCAD. A good suggestion though, I'll keep it in mind if/when I pick it up.