Bunkspeed - Questions of interest.

[Werbean]

Hey everyone,

 

I am just fooling around on Sketch-up at the moment but intend to study architecture in the near future and want to be fully prepared when the time comes.

 

I was wondering if anyone on these forums has used or knows much about Bunkspeed Shot and its functionality in comparison to other rendering software?

 

I gathered from research of these forums and other sources that a program like Bunkspeed is a choice for beginners and amateurs unlike something like Artlantis or Vray and was wondering how limited the renders are?

Is something like Bunkspeed more suited to industrial/product design than architectural renders?

 

Any information or help will be extremely useful for someone with very limited knowledge of the industry.

 

Thank you.

[Frosty]

I used Hypershot at my last office. In my opinion it is next to useless for typical architectural perspectives. - for a number of reasons. However, it is wickedly fast and could be very useful as a design tool.

 

Here are my basic thoughts from my experiences with the version I used.

 

Pros:

1. Speed - This is a near realtime GI engine.

2. Quality - The engine can produce a decent enough quality for when "the best" is just too much.

3. Ease of use - there is basically nothing to it, so its fast to learn.

 

Cons:

1. Ease of use - there is basically nothing to it! No lights, no cameras NOTHING. Its basically an HDRI illuminated model viewer.

2. Quality - You are really stuck with the HDRI you load into the environment, as I stated there are no lights to alter the lighting at all. I think there was also a rendering size limitation.

3. Price - In my opinion, this product is simply too expensive for its role in the architectural production pipeline. If I remember correctly, its near the same price as most of the other high end GI solutions.

 

I think they have a demo available. Download it and give it a spin for yourself.

[Werbean]

Thanks for the response Frosty,

 

Based on what you've said it seems like I could spend a lot of money on a 3D modelling program and a standalone renderer (in the case of Bunkspeed, I wouldn't actually develop my rendering skill set to the level I'd like it to be).

 

The alternative is to go with something like Vectorworks or ArchiCAD right?

 

I've read that they use integrated rendering suites, but was unsure whether the integrated route was as flawed as the bunkspeed option?

 

Sorry for the wealth of questions, I really want to be prepared when I start applying to Universities.

[Frosty]

I don't want to mislead you to thinking that Hypershot is flawed, its not. I just dont think its the right type of application for arch viz. It was specifically developed for product visualization and likely does that very well. This is why I feel it could work well in architectural design for diagramatic models where the 3D model is treated more as an elaborate foam-core study model - an object in white space. At my last office it was used with great success on 3D wall section diagrams.

 

I can't comment on Vectorworks ( haven't used it for about 10 yrs) or ArchiCad (have never used it) as a modeling platform. However, I do know that both of those applications file link with Cinema 4D. If you are comfortable with VW or ArchiCad, that may be the best option for you. You could model in either of those BIM applications and link into C4D for high end animation and rendering.

[Tommy L]

Bunkspeed / Hypershot are the kind of renderers you'll gravitate towards if you need them, but not a great place to start. If you just want to fool around for free then Ive heard Kerkythea is a good place to start. For a foray into professional tools then download a bunch of trials and student software.

3d Max w/ Vray is the standard.

[jinsley]

...

3d Max w/ Vray is the standard.

 

or just get max and use the integrated Mental Ray engine... save yourself some money.

[Tommy L]

or just get max and use the integrated Mental Ray engine... save yourself some money.

 

True. But if I had to guess which pieces of software I thought had earned their keep the best, Id say its Vray and DOFpro, both cheap. Autodesk and Adobe products just keep asking me for more money, Vray never goes out of style.

 

Software and hardware questions should really be posted with a budget. Makes the advice alot more tailored!

[jinsley]

True. But if I had to guess which pieces of software I thought had earned their keep the best, Id say its Vray and DOFpro, both cheap. Autodesk and Adobe products just keep asking me for more money, Vray never goes out of style.

 

Software and hardware questions should really be posted with a budget. Makes the advice alot more tailored!

 

I tried to get the bosses to purchase DOF Pro a year ago and it was a no go... so sad.

 

I agree with you completely about AutoDesk, Adobe and their attitude as far as cashing in.

 

Funny (or not so funny) story about VRay... I would love to get my hands on VRay. I tried the demo and I thought it was great.

 

Last year when I mentioned vray to the partners, one of them said..

 

"I'm going to VRay YOU!" to which everyone laughed endlessly...

 

now every time I mention it, its just a big joke. Maybe next year.

 

and yes, a budget would be a great start! You never know... SU might be your best bet.

[Tommy L]

DOFpro is like 100 bucks, it was 50 when I bought it. Cant believe your bosses would veto that!

[jinsley]

haha, yeah... the firm is technically orientated, not artistically. They don't understand the need for a lot of the plug-ins and programs that I use on a daily basis. If I really fight for something then I usually win... but who wants to put specs together, write letters and do a small presentation for a $100 plug-in? Not me... at least not all the time.

[Crazy Homeless Guy]

Slightly off topic, ....but currently 100% of my rendering work could be completed with Max9/Vray1.5sp5/PhotoshopCS3. This is a weak of reworking workflows so maybe that number will be different next week. It might actually be faster than my current set of software too.