interior designer - Sketchup 3, Vectorworks 11 or ArchiCAD8?

[ty604]

Hi, I am an interior designer that has dabbled with VW for a bit and "looked" at Sketchup.

 

Are there any interior designers here that can tell me which of the 3 programs is probably best for me on my OS X Mac?

 

I simply need to be able to design some interiors with the ability to view it in a 3D model later.

 

I don't think I will be needing full on Architectual capabilites. I am assuming this because I'm not an architect lol

 

I tried those crappy PC home design apps. They have ugly components and I need high quality libraries. I've seen some 3rd party companies that make some sweet libraries of designer furniture pieces that you can use with Vectorworks.

 

Your opinions are much anticipated and please inform me of any 3rd party companies that sell designer libraries.

 

Thanks

[Ace_Face]

Hi, I am an interior designer that has dabbled with VW for a bit and "looked" at Sketchup.

 

Are there any interior designers here that can tell me which of the 3 programs is probably best for me on my OS X Mac?

 

I simply need to be able to design some interiors with the ability to view it in a 3D model later.

 

I don't think I will be needing full on Architectual capabilites. I am assuming this because I'm not an architect lol...

 

I think Vectorworks would be the best fit for you. The program is modular and scaleable so if you find yourself needing more you can purchase additional modules to suite your needs.

 

ArchiCAD is very expensive and a big chunck of money to invest if you are using it for visualization and documentation of interiors only. ArchiCAD is the type of application you would want if you decided to plunge into the "Virtual Building" method of construction documents.

 

Sketchup is a great product for sketching ideas and visualizing the designs. You won't be able to use it effectively for dimensioned drawings and details for construction. It's quick and easy to use and produces very nice models.

 

There should be a Vectorworks demo package to try out. Do that, I'll bet you will find it to be a great product.

[ty604]

Thanks

 

I have access to ANY program there is. Based on this info does your opinion change?

 

If I want to draw the plans of a living room and then make it look slick with textures like images in the gallery how do you accomplish these feats?

 

You use a CAD program for the dimensions and then import that info into Maya 6? Then do the detailing with Photoshop?

 

Is that the process?

 

For example ,these 3D works here:

http://www.cgarchitect.com/gallery/galleryList.asp?searchName=5018&searchChecked=1

[Hector]

You can make the 3d model in Vector Works. Modeling capabilities of vectorworks are very good. (and specially bacause there it has 3d snaps which make architectural modelling easier and precise).

 

Then you can export the 3d model and open it in a different software in order to apply textures, set up lights and cameras and then produce a nice render.

 

I have used vectorworks models in Strata 3D and Lightwave. Strata is cheaper, easy to use and have a good rendering and could be enough for what you want, even more now that they are about to release a new version.

However if you are going to deal with objects that have complex geometries (furniture may be sometimes the case) or if you want to have the options that high end sotware provide (like more control and more powerful tools for textures, lighting, rendereing etc) then you could go

for Lightwave, Cinema 4D, ElectricImage or Maya (on Macs).

 

Alternatively, you can use "renderworks" module for Vectorworks. But in my opinion the rendering is not good enough. You can us Artlantis to render vectorworks models as well.

 

There is also FormZ which has excelent modelling tools but I don't really know how good is the rendering.

 

If you can get any sofware you want I assume that you don't have any money constraint so buy a good ammount of RAM, something like 2gb.

 

And remember, the "slick" images in the library are the result of many ours of practice, study, reading and long hours without sleeping of their authors. So any software won't provide instant satisfaction without a little bit of pain.

 

You have a long but interesting road ahead.

[ty604]

yeah, I didnt mean to "devalue" the work of those artists. Their work is truly amazing.

 

Thanks for your info.

 

I will probably start with VW 11 & Maya 6 and go from there.

 

I don't have the $ for all of that stuff but I do have access to the software through friends which I'm very thankful for.

 

I also sold all of my furntiture and wordly possessions last year so I could buy a 2GHZ DP G5 . I still am loving that decision

 

Peace

[angelo]

I used VectorWorks (previously MiniCAD) up through version 9, and I'd have to say it's not great at 3D modeling. It's incredibly efficient and handy at 2D drafting, but for simple (and intuitive) 3D modeling, SketchUp is king.

 

The only drawbacks I see is that SketchUp is not a true solids modeler (it uses faces), and at this point it doesn't support some of the mainstream furniture/entourage libraries.

 

Maya is incredibly complex, and is tailored for NURBS (curvy forms).

 

I'd start with SketchUp for 3D and VectorWorks for documenting your ideas, and if you are maxing out SketchUp's capabilities, then explore higher end stuff.

 

This will save you some brain damage and get you some quick results. Trudging through mega manuals vs. exploring your design ideas is key!

 

Good luck.

[ty604]

Angelo,

 

1. If I really need those furniture libraries, do you then recommend VW11?

2. If I use Sketchup to create the forms can I then save that work, and import it into Maya or something else for the textures?

3. You said that Maya uses nurbs. On the OSX platform which 3D program can I use that doesn't involve nurbs that will allow me to simply add nice textures to the Sketchup work I've done?

4. What companies sell furniture libraries and stuff like that? Are the libraries compatible with most CAD programs?

5. One of the other features I will want possibly is the ability to present fly through presentations. This is another factor.

 

Thanks

[Ace_Face]

I will probably start with VW 11 & Maya 6 and go from there.

 

Cinema 4D has a bundle for Vectorworks, and includes a plugin that allows easy transfer and updates to the model as the project progresses.

 

You can check it out here.

[ty604]

thas funny cause I was just looking at C4D. That's DOPE news!

 

p.s. on those final drawings like this:

http://maxon.de/pages/products/c4d/vectorworks_edition/images/11_vw_image.jpg

 

 

Is this really a final product of C4D or do you think Photoshop and others are involved?

 

If this is just VW & C4D then that is awesome cause I have access to both.

[Ace_Face]

Is this really a final product of C4D or do you think Photoshop and others are involved?

 

I'm quite sure it's VW to C4D with at most the sky from photoshop (but I doubt that).