Industry-standard techniques / general advice for starting out

[danshewan]

So, as I stated in my introduction thread, I'm very comfortable modeling using both Maya and 3ds Max, which is my current application of choice. I can work quickly and efficiently using polygonal and subdivision modeling techniques, but I'm wondering how much NURBS modeling is used in professional arch-viz work.

 

Would a lack of knowledge of NURBS be considered a disadvantage to someone looking to develop a portfolio of architectural renders? Aside from 3ds Max, mental ray and Photoshop, are there any other non-CAD applications that I should be looking to invest in? Are high-resolution stills acceptable as portfolio pieces, or are studios looking for fully composited animated sequences, given the present economical climate? Or does this vary by role / position?

 

Apologies for the deluge of questions, but it seems that portfolio expectations and software / general skill requirements are easier to research for careers in the entertainment industries.

 

Any advice for someone new to the arch-viz field and any other standard expectations for someone seeking to enter the visualization industry would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[BVI]

Would a lack of knowledge of NURBS be considered a disadvantage to someone looking to develop a portfolio of architectural renders?

Doesn’t matter - if it gets the job done then all the better. If you are fitting into a pipeline, then you may need to adjust to that studios work flow.

 

Aside from 3ds Max, mental ray and Photoshop, are there any other non-CAD applications that I should be looking to invest in?

 

VRAY? But there are lots of other bits of software that you pick up as you go along.

 

Are high-resolution stills acceptable as portfolio pieces, or are studios looking for fully composited animated sequences, given the present economical climate? Or does this vary by role / position?

 

Doesn’t matter as long as they are good images, resolution is negligible - A4/A3 prints or a decent digital pixel size (that’s still emailable). Animation and Illustration are two distinct arts, being able to do both would definitely boost your CV.

[Nic H]

no one uses nurbs, if they are using them then its not 'standard'

 

they get used within rhino etc to make messy sketch models for design development in architecture studios but in visualization studios its all poly / spline modelling.

[danshewan]

Thanks very much for the insight, guys.