Education required for this career?

[aquablue]

Dear all. I'm 23 and I have been thinking of doing a degree in 3D computer art (3D). However, I'm also really interested in buildings. I do not however, think that I'd like to be a practicing architect given what I've read. I like the idea of doing architectural renderings because i like buildings and projects as well as CG.

 

My questions are basically: how much architecture do you need to know for this career? What education do i need? What classes, etc.? Do i need a degree in architecture? If i take a dgree in computer art, what extra classes should i take to understand how to make these architectural stuff??

 

thanks

 

aqua

[IC]

Hi Aqua,

There are no rules on this one but it isn't always easy to understand 2d architectural plans and sometimes you do get less info than you need and some improvisation is needed. This means the more background knowledge you have, the easier the job becomes.

However, I don't think it's necessary to have an Architecture degree as you're not the designer(usually).

Some of the best visualisation guys have no architectural background but I think most are Architectural Technicians(like me)or disillusioned Architects.

Hope this helps.

Iain

[aquablue]

Thanks Ian.. Do you think a class in CAD is nessesary? And do people generally use programs like maya/max or CAd programs to model? What are the pros/cons of each. I've heard that people use things like VIZ and Brazil quite often. How does VIZ compare to MAX?

 

cheers

aqua

[Sawyer]

Learn as much about architecture as you can. I really think it is important. I know that there are people out there better than me who know nothing about architecture but learn it. And yes learn the drafting as well. Usually I get a 2d cad file and I have to edit out info or mess with layers till I have a clean file to go into max.

 

That said learn traditional art and photo techniques. There are some good architectural photography books out there.

 

Right now there is a void in training for this exact type of work. But that is not too say you need to recreate the wheel on everything. People have been doing this type of work (archi vis w/o computers) for a very long time.

[IC]

A Cad package really is essential for this job but you don't have to do your actual modelling in it.

The best way to model comes down to preference. Some renderers (e.g.Lightscape) can only use 'perfect' models so building from the 2d drawing in Autocad is useful then.

That said, it's not a great way to model and there are many programs out there (Max, FormZ, Lightwave, Rhino, C4D etc) which have far superior modelling tools and can import/export various formats for rendering.

This is a huge subject to grasp and you'd do well to trawl through this site as there's nowhere better to learn.

As Sawyer says, there's a benefit in having other skills like photography and fine art but an appreciation and understanding of architecture itself is a huge start.

Cheers,

Iain