Autocad skills reqd for visializer?

[andyH]

Hi everyone, just looking for opinions on the level of Autocad skills needed for someone trying to break into arch viz as a freelancer?

 

Having never had the oportunity to see a project from start to finnish, I am guessing that the files given to the viz guy are likely autocad files, and I do know they will most likely need cleaning up before work can start in max, so do you pro's clean up in max or acad, and if acad, just how well do you need to know the software?

[Crazy Homeless Guy]

I guess it depends on your working method.

 

I went through architecture school, and have worked in arch firms for 11-12 years, and I don't know jack when it comes to AutoCad. I can open a file, and export as a wbolck. I can explode, dimension, and turn on and off layers. I can also select like objects, like that is difficult.

 

....but that is it. I really don't know more than that, nor do I really care too.

 

P.S. Now when it came to Microstation I was in love, though I haven't used it since around version 98/J/SE.

Edited February 16, 2010 by Crazy Homeless Guy

[bev.lynn]

Hi Andrew,

I would start with reading Week 22 - Preparing AutoCAD Linework which is found at: http://www.cgarchitect.com/upclose/VI/default.asp. This will give you an idea of how to properly clean up drawing files in AutoCAD. Importing a drawing into max with all layers, text, dimensions, etc... can be a messy frustrating experience. You should at least know how to work with layers when importing drawing files.

 

Now with that said, who knows what the quality of the drawing files will be. Few drawings are structured with all entities on the correct layers and linework prepared correctly (no gaps in continuous lines or overlapping lines).

 

Many users do not have AutoCAD and have to work solely in max. In that case maybe someone else can tell you how they work. I always use AutoCAD or Civil 3D.

[anejo]

Fortunately, I've been able to get by with very little knowledge of autocad.

But I would suggest taking an introduction course to autocad, it will only

benefit you.

 

You may want to look at 3dats "Intermediate to Advanced" book, it has 2 good chapter on working with cad files.

http://3dats.com/products.asp?ok=1

[JonRashid]

I use both Autocad and Max. However, the only things I usually do and all you should need to know, is to be able to delete all extraneous notation and layers etc. also how to save as an earlier version of Autocad (depending on your version of Max). This allows you to get all the relevant information into Max.

[beestee]

The newer releases of AutoCAD have made file cleanup much much easier...some of the right-click menu options in particular, such as 'Select Similar' and 'Quick Select', are the most user-friendly implementations of such features that I have seen yet in AutoCAD.

[Dave Buckley]

i came from games background and so have very little knowledge of autocad, just enough knowledge to be able to open a file and select/view props add to layer etc, very very basic functionality

[andyH]

Thanks for all the replies everyone, that has helped a lot, and confirmed my suspicions.

 

@ bev.lynn yep I spent all day yesterday downloading those chapters and have had a skim through of Week 22. Thanks for that.

 

@ anejo, I ordered both the Intermediate and Advanced books from 3DAT yesterday, and I am anxiously waiting for them to arrive , as for the introduction course, I will have a go at playing with a demo of acad and see how I get on.

 

@ JonRashid, any chance you can explain what you mean by "save as an earlier version of Autocad"? Is this relevant if I am using Max 2009 and I have a student copy of 2010. If I need Autocad I would probably have to buy the latest version of that. Is this something I should know more about? Thanks.

 

So in summary, I should have access to Autocad and basic skills so that I can clean up files and import good linework into max and not have to spend hours trying to figure out whats what if I import the original cad file into max.

[BVI]

Hi everyone, just looking for opinions on the level of Autocad skills needed for someone trying to break into arch viz as a freelancer?

 

Having never had the oportunity to see a project from start to finnish, I am guessing that the files given to the viz guy are likely autocad files, and I do know they will most likely need cleaning up before work can start in max, so do you pro's clean up in max or acad, and if acad, just how well do you need to know the software?

 

You don't need it, but it will make your life easier. Sometimes the CAD files are a total mess and virtually unusable in Max - so you need to seperate them out and clean them up a bit. I suppose it depends on the architect and what software they are using. If its non-autodesk CAD it can generate messy DWG's. The worst are drawings from engineers or city planners - endless gridlines and just generally a mess.

 

I know some guys model in ACad and then import that into MAX.

 

In terms of the older version question, we also find that 2000/2002 and 2004 are easier to work with (although file size of the DWG/DXF is larger.

[andyH]

OK thanks BVI, that makes sense.

 

It would be great if I had a real world example of a DWG/DXF file to practice on. If anyone is able to share one without breaking any moral or legal rules I would appreciate it. Heck I may even be able to run a practice project from start to finnish!

 

Anyone willing and able to help?

[Arnold Sher]

"I know some guys model in ACad and then import that into MAX."

 

I think we are those guys.. Perhaps because we all started on CAD and feel comfortable with it. It has really worked for us over the years and our staff follows the same work flow.. It certainly is quicker (for us anyway) to model it up in CAD first...

[Tommy L]

"I know some guys model in ACad and then import that into MAX."

 

I think we are those guys.. Perhaps because we all started on CAD and feel comfortable with it. It has really worked for us over the years and our staff follows the same work flow.. It certainly is quicker (for us anyway) to model it up in CAD first...

 

Yes, Strat does too and at my old company that was standard.

 

Since moving to Max though, I dont mis modeling in Acad.

 

I would concur with the previous comments. Acad is helpful to know, but not essential unless you are a sole practitioner / freelancer. Then it is quite essential. You simply MUST be able to somehow get the drawing into your 3d program cleanly and efficiently.

[andyH]

Well as I expect the only way I am likely to make any money at arch viz is by starting out as a freelancer, then I guess I need to put some time into Acad...

 

Thanks for the comments and advice everyone, it was very helpful.

[STRAT]

sketchup

[andyH]

sketchup

 

Interesting, are you saying that Sketchup should be included in the toolset of someone that wants to break into the archviz industry?

[STRAT]

there is no should. you do what you want. there is no correct way. up to you.

[andyH]

there is no should. you do what you want. there is no correct way. up to you.

 

Thats interesting, can I ask if you use sketchup? and assuming you do, how does it fit into your workflow?

[STRAT]

yes. we use sketchup for 85% of all our modeling needs.

[andyH]

yes. we use sketchup for 85% of all our modeling needs.

 

Wow, I had no idea that Sketchup was a serious tool, would you mind sharing your typical workflow and tools, say from being handed dwg Autocad files through to photo-real stills and animations?

 

I imagine its something like acad files -> sketchup for major modelling -> max for detailed modeling and rendering?

 

I know that must seem like a newbie question, but thats what I am

 

Also, does anyone else use Sketchup as the primary modeling tool?

[andrejcordeiro]

Hola Andrew...if you wanna start a architectural project and learn more about 3D, just do this:

 

If you want to do a project from beginning to end. since you do not have architectural drawings, try to do a project of your house.

 

Take measurements of all spaces and draws them to the autocad. After this initial process modeling of these drawings in autocad.

 

After doing this, import the dwg file into the studio for max. where you will apply the textures and lights into your scene.

 

Doing this will help you understand the process of modeling, texturing and lightning architectural drawings....the basics.

[STRAT]

2d autocad files from client > import those into sketchup to construct the 3d model > import that model into cinema 4d and vray for rendering.

[andyH]

Hola Andrew...if you wanna start a architectural project and learn more about 3D, just do this:

 

If you want to do a project from beginning to end. since you do not have architectural drawings, try to do a project of your house.

 

Take measurements of all spaces and draws them to the autocad. After this initial process modeling of these drawings in autocad.

 

After doing this, import the dwg file into the studio for max. where you will apply the textures and lights into your scene.

 

Doing this will help you understand the process of modeling, texturing and lightning architectural drawings....the basics.

 

That sounds like a good idea, thanks for the advice.

[andyH]

2d autocad files from client > import those into sketchup to construct the 3d model > import that model into cinema 4d and vray for rendering.

 

Well I guess I should explore sketchup as an alternative to max as a potential modeling tool. Thanks for the feedback STRAT.