Mac, ArchiCAD, should it be C4D or Lightwave?

[Ignacio Azpiazu]

Has anybody checked the two programs and can tell the pros and cons of each vis a vis the other?

 

From what I read it seems to me that C4D may be better integrated with ArchiCAD. On the other hand the Lightwave architecture gallery (http://www.newtek.com/products/lightwave/lw-gallery/thumbnails.php?album=1) left me stunned. I wonder if there is someone who has had if only a little first hand experience with both of the programs, both of which are evidently superb, and would be willing to give some insight as to their relative advantages and disadvangates.

[Frosty]

I believe Ace Face uses ArchiCAD, I've only seen distributor demos.

 

I've tinkered with Lightwave, and found the interface to be the most confusing system ever. Absolutely not for me.

[Hector]

Hello:

 

I've been using lightwave only for one year and a half. When I used for the first time I had already been doing 3D for a long time but not in lightwave.

 

At first, the interface and the way the software approaches the 3d modeling confused me a bit. But once I understood and gain some practice I just loved it. It has a very powerfull modeler which allows to do almost anything (at least in architecture). My first project was a VERY complex curve space structure. I spent several weeks modeling but at the end the result was amazing. However it doesn't have a good set of snap options, and I sometimes just miss to have snaps at hand.

 

Lightwave is actually two programs "modeller" and "layout". Layout is where you set up your scene, lights, textures and your render. Many people agree that Lightwave is one of the few softwares with a high end rendering engine built in. You don't really need a external renderer. You have radiosity and support for hdrg images, used properly results can be amazing.

 

You will require the fastest processor you could afford (g5 if you can) and as much RAM as you can in order to speed up renderings. I manage to work with a G4 800mhz and 1GB of ram.

 

I have imported VectorWorks files into lightwave, but don't know about archicad.

 

The new Lightwave version (8) has been or is about to be released.

 

There are a couple of essential books:

 

Inside Lighwave and Lightwave 3d 7.5 Lighting (highly recomended).

 

I recomend as well a two button mouse, It is just necessary to work faster.

 

Hope that helps

 

hector

[Ace_Face]

Has anybody checked the two programs and can tell the pros and cons of each vis a vis the other?

 

From what I read it seems to me that C4D may be better integrated with ArchiCAD...

 

Check out these two forum threads:

Archicad or Vectorworks

Archicad & C4D thread This thread is long and evolves. Look at pages 2 thru 4.

 

Also C4D now has a plugin for Archicad. You can see that here.

[Allen]

I've been using LW since '97. I love the fact that LW is lean (one of the reasons I like two programs - modeler and layout - being separate) - low memory useage for the program - which leaves more RAM for models and textures. The program also loads very quickly. The modeler is extremely powerful - though one of the responders was right on about not having snaps - that would be handy.

 

I have no experiance at all with C4D - looks impressive though.

[IC]

Juan,

I can only offer the following:

LightWave, like most of the big 3d programs, imports a wide range of 2d and 3d filetypes. Materials are then easily assigned in a variety of ways including selcting layers(from the 2d file), or individualy selecting polygons, which is far easier than in any other program I've tried.

 

The material editor is very easy to use and very powerful. In fact the entire interface is very intuitive, regardless of what those who are used to using the 'Autodesk' family of products say.

 

Rendering is fantastic although every other package can (now) compete with it, and, to be honest, Radiosity is comparitively slow but that's becoming less of an issue with the appearance of the FPrime plug in.

 

If you create large scenes, LightWave really comes into it's own as it copes effortlessly with any amount of polys even on a low-ish spec machine.

 

As for comparisons with Cinema4d, they are probably pretty neck and neck but LightWave offers better value for mony as everything is included in one low price but you have to pay quite a bit for things like the advanced rendering functions in Cinema4d.

 

Also posted this in the LW forum but it seems to have switched to here!

[Ignacio Azpiazu]

As for comparisons with Cinema4d, they are probably pretty neck and neck

 

Initially I was focused on getting

- integration with ArchiCAD (predictability/sistematizability(?)/exports/updates), where I would want to model everything except for perhaps eventually people and cars;

- radiosity rendering speed;

- textures tweakability (my only experience is Artlantis, and I love to be able to mix color and add say two texture overlays each with its own mask and overlay transparence, all within the program, and with almost immediate feedback);

- being able to set the sun position for a specific place and time (eventually I can get that from ArchiCAD or Artlantis, but I would much rather handle everything in the same program)

On seeing Lightwave galleries I thought "THIS IS WHAT I WANT!" and I am wondering if there are any tools or effects that I would get in one program and not on the other. For example, the images on your (IC's, Iain Collins') website have an atmosphere which I have also seen in other renderings in Ligthwave but which I have not seen in C4D galleries. Is there any basic toolkit difference such as 'skydome' tool, or some algorithm thing, or it is just the artist and as a C4D user you would be able to produce the same effect?

 

[sorry about the duplication --I never thought any single person would be following both forums.]

[Ace_Face]

Initially I was focused on getting

- integration with ArchiCAD (predictability/sistematizability(?)/exports/updates), where I would want to model everything except for perhaps eventually people and cars;

- radiosity rendering speed;

- textures tweakability (my only experience is Artlantis, and I love to be able to mix color and add say two texture overlays each with its own mask and overlay transparence, all within the program, and with almost immediate feedback);

- being able to set the sun position for a specific place and time (eventually I can get that from ArchiCAD or Artlantis, but I would much rather handle everything in the same program)

 

I can only speak for Archicad and Cinem 4D as a combo with respect to your question. The plugin offered by C4D (for Archicad, and vectorworks for that matter) allows for just what you are wanting. Sun, Lighting, and materials/textures will be transported from Archicad to C4D. Additional entourage can be placed in C4D. Then if you have changes to your project in Archicad you can re-import the model and retain the material assignments without starting over.

 

The multi texture overlays is certainly available in C4D and many other features that you may be looking for. I'ts all a matter of personal taste and desired workflow issues.

 

You need to try the demos and make your final decision on that. Peoples opinions (especially mine )are only worth the pixels they're printed on. Your personal experience is paramount in your decision.

 

Test drive them all. The winner will shine through.

[Ignacio Azpiazu]

Peoples opinions (especially mine )are only worth the pixels they're printed on.

 

I guess we may be talking golden pixels here then. I am still undecided, but definitely much more understandingly undecided. Thank you very much everybody for your insight.

[IC]

Most renderers do have a 'signature' feel to what they produce but I've always thought that LW and C4D renders looked very similar.

Nice soft feel to them both-but yes, it ALL comes down to the individual.

 

I've seen renders done on Max's default scanline which are better than anything I could do with full radiosity etc.

 

What I tried to say before is that with all the major programs, you can do ANYTHING-it's just a matter of finding one you like and learning it inside out.