3ds max from scratch if i only want to render?

[wynandv]

Hope this is in the right forum [moderators feel free to move]

 

I am an architecture student and do all my modelling on Revit due to the fact that we need to generate building documentation of all our designs too. Not to sound arrogant but i know my way around revit pretty well.

 

So my workflow is as follows: Revit - Sketchup, render in Maxwell for sketchup - photoshop post processing

 

This workflow works fine if you only have geometrical shapes, otherwise the import in sketchup is very dodgy and you spend a lot of time fixing (remodelling) parts of your model.

 

So I want to start using 3ds max for my renders, due to the improved revit - 3ds workflow in 2013 i read about. (Native revit file importing). I would also like to stay on Maxwell since i know how to use it pretty well too.

 

So my question is: If i only want to use 3ds max for rendering and not modelling, will I have to spend a lot of time learning 3ds max from scratch? Im doing a thesis next year and dont have time to learn a complex program from start to finish. I do have some time over xmas holidays to get to know the 3ds max + maxwell workflow.

[Umesh Raut]

Yes, you can learn very few but relatively more important workflow paths/tricks in Max in the time frame of your holidays, only provided you devote your time entirely to it. You may also want to look into good rendering engine like vRay for Max which has almost become the de facto standard for architectural visualization industry and because its way faster than any unbiased (maxwell included) renderer out there.

[andstef]

you could export from revit to maxwell studio if you only want to render. I saw a banner on this site announcing maxwell for revit, so why not wait.

[John Dollus]

If you are steadfast in your desire to stay with Maxwell, I'd agree with Andrei.

With Revit-Max, the direct import isn't an import at all. It's an active link to the Rvt file which also requires a Revit install. This can be a pain and also raises compatibility issues if you have to go back to a project at a later time and have not severed that link prior to archiving the project.

Ask yourself why you would want to add another complex program into your pipeline if you are only using it to translate geometry?

 

You may want to explore the Revit-Max-iray pipeline. It's similar to the simplicity of Maxwell rendering, is more of a single vendor solution and would prepare you for life outside of the school environment. Maxwell simply doesn't have the user base and most architecture firms prefer the autodesk suite approach.

[Tommy L]

I remember how heavy the workload is at uni in the latter stages of an architecture degree. I'd stick with what you know. Your tutors should be able to extrapolate good design from a bad rendering, you're learning to be a designer, not a renderer.

The tools you're using should be able to handle geometry transfer, if not then try rendering within Revit. It has ample tools to convey design.

Max has lots of little nuances that may trip you up.