going into product and design visualization

[doraima]

I come from a background in multimedia, and was wondering if a licence is necessary for doing architectural modeling?

 

I have character modeling and other objects for short films and documentaries, and do video and DVD authoring too.

[STRAT]

no licence of any kind required

[John Dollus]

only a software license

[Fred]

I am also wondering how one from a non Architectural background can come into Architectural visualization without any Architectural experience? I have a BA in 3D and Graphic Design. Is it as easy as just learning the modeling aspect or do I need to sit down and really try and learn Architecture?

 

 

Thanks,

 

Fred

[tcorbett]

Careful, "Learn Architecture" is a pretty broad statement, like "Learn computers" or "Learn 3D". Most architects spend 6-8 years in college & internships.

 

To provide services to the architecture industry, the most important things that you can learn are:

 

1. How to read a set of building drawings. Understand how plans, sections, & elevations work. If you know how to model in 3D you already have a grasp on these concepts, so take the time to learn about the symbols used, and how various building elements are represented, such as materials.

 

2. How buildings are constructed. You don't need to know how to waterproof a building, but having a working understanding of how the parts come together in a building will help you immensely. It will also help you understand those plans, sections, elevations, details.

 

3. Architectural terminology. Learn how to use the lingo - what is a "soffit"? Do you know what "grout" is? If a client asks you to change the colors of the "dentals" on the "moulding", could you do that?

 

4. Architectural Standards. The time will come when you are asked to make a 3D rendering of a project, and only handed a set of sketched plans. Creating a convincing 3D rendering with only a portion of the building designed will take a great deal of creativity on your part, but will also take an understanding of the common components and standards of design - after all, if a client sees a bad or unusual condition such as stairs that are too steep or a 2' wide door, that will reflect poorly on the architecture firm you are working for, and you may not get new work.

 

So, real simple, right? My best suggestion would be to find a few books - Architectural Graphic Standards, a book on building construction (Ching has a nice illustrative book on this topic), and probably a book detailing the works of an architect or two that you admire, for inspiration & reference.