Architectural Max Modeling

[Brian Cassil]

I am teaching a beginning class on 3DS Max Design (literally, right now I'm sitting with my class). We are going over the basics of modeling (splines, simple modifiers, etc.) and there is some frustration on the lack of intuitiveness is doing simple things like making a line that is x dimension "on the fly". Most design and modeling software does this nowadays (sketcup, ACAD, Revit, etc.) but I am anaware of how to do this in Max. That's the first question.

 

In a larger sense I would like to see if there is a better process for doing "on the fly" modeling in max in general. I've been using max for so long that I've just gotten used to it and what I do but I have to admit that it does seem archaic compared to some of the other 3D modeling programs that are common now. I'm wondering if there is something I've missed along the way that would facilitate architectural modeling in Max that would make modeling "on the fly" more practical rather than using some sort of template background. I don't think poly modeling is really the answer... it's just not flexible or intuitive enough.

 

Maybe this belongs in the "Max Wish List" section but I thought I would see if someone is aware of a plugin, set of scripts, or something built into max that simplifies architectural "on the fly" modeling.