Which is more convenient for working in Europe: 3ds Max or Cinema 4D?

[victorramirez]

I’m an architecture student from the Dominican Republic that is planning to study for a master’s degree in Germany after I graduate. Given that my Dominican bachelor’s diploma won’t be valid for earning an architect’s license in Europe, I thought that I could start working as an architectural visualizer while I’m studying.

 

I’ve chosen Germany because of the following factors:

• I’m an advanced user of Vectorworks BIM software, and several people have told me it has some popularity in that country.

• If I learn German language, I could also try working in Austria and Switzerland.

• Germany has a good economic situation, thus a lot of architects (particularly Spanish) are migrating there.

 

So, which software do you think I should start learning to use? 3ds Max (which I think is the most popular in all of the world) or Cinema 4D (the one most compatible with Vectorworks)? Which one of them could make it easier for me to get jobs as an employee or freelancer in Germany, or any other European countries?

 

Thank you!

[harryhirsch]

'''Given that my Dominican bachelor’s diploma won’t be valid for earning an architect’s license in Europe''

true, but that is because it is a bachelor degree and not because your degree is from the Dominican Republic.

''Vectorworks BIM software, and several people have told me it has some popularity in that country.'''

true, Vectorworks, Archicad and Nemetschek rule the German CAD-market

''Germany has a good economic situation''

not really a good economic situation, not for architects anyway. yes, many Spanish Architects work in Germany but that means also a lot competition for u ... and a low salary.

''3dsMax or Cinema4D'''

both are popular, lately I read quite often Cinema and Rhino instaed of Max.

Check the job advertisements from German archviz firms, usualy there is info about the software skills you should have to apply.

[victorramirez]

Thank you Harry!

 

After reading several forums in which I posted the same question, I've decided to go for C4D.

 

Here, I think you might find the threads interesting, too:

 

http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?p=8000917#post8000917

 

http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?p=8000916#post8000916

 

Your answer was really helpful, thanks for your time!

[artmaknev]

I was looking at pursuing the Master's Degree in Architecture in Germany as well, especially when they released the news about free education to foreigners. However, to take Master's courses in Architecture you must know German language before even applying to school, as far as I know, there aren't any English courses available for specific degrees. They offer just a few English language courses for philosophy, history and a few more majors.

Edited March 14, 2015 by artmaknev

[RyderSK]

However, to take Master's courses in Architecture you must know German language before even applying to school,

 

I find this hard to believe, did you looked at enough bigger technical colleges ? While English bachelor architecture is almost impossible to find in continental Europe, there are plenty of both pure English masters and English variations of. These are rarely though free (if general native language course is free), and usually come with fee equivalent to those who are outside of EU, even if you're resident of EU.

 

There definitely are some international programs (full time masters, not only Erasmus):

 

https://www.daad.de/deutschland/studienangebote/international-programs/en/?p=l&q=&degree%5B%5D=2&subject=730&lang%5B%5D=2&langDistribution=0

 

http://www.uni-weimar.de/en/university/studies/summary-degree-programmes/international-degree-programmes/

[artmaknev]

I visited about 5 schools in Berlin, they told me same thing, in order to get the real Master's Degree in Architecture in Germany you must be proficient in at least B2 level German, which means you have to be comfortable with making conversations in German and understanding almost everything. Maybe there are some schools that offer full english based degree outside Berlin, I am not 100% sure, but the administrators at the schools I visited said I must have B2 level before applying..

 

The degree programs from those links are some type of quasi/fringe areas of Architecture, do you really want to study Master of Monumental Heritage or Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency for the Middle East??

[RyderSK]

You listed few most notable rarities, the rest aren't fringes, master architectural degrees lately focus a lot more on urban design and sustainability, it is what is. They probably outweight generic non-focused graduate programmes.

 

Nonetheless, looking through the list more thoroughly, there are general graduate programmes as well.

Here is one in Dessau for example.

 

http://www.afg.hs-anhalt.de/architektur/studiengaenge/architecture-ma-dia

 

This one is pure English, and labeled both as generic and international. It requires only IELTS or TOEFL English proficiency check.

 

It's not like you get to choose a lot, but it's not impossible. Though, like always, it makes sense to learn German if one wants to live in Germany. B2 is not that hard to achieve, it's high-school level of proficiency.

Edited March 14, 2015 by RyderSK

[artmaknev]

"A Test in German as a Foreign Language is not a

requirement. However, German lessons will be provided within the curriculum of the course during the first

three semesters.They are compulsory and form part of the curriculum"

 

Not so purely English for the first 3 semesters..

 

I guess there are very rare international arch schools somewhere in Germany for purely English arch degree, but not in the big cities.

 

But for sure, you must learn German at least B2 level (which is haaaaaarrrrrd!!!!!! and not that easy!!) if you want to live in Germany,

Edited March 14, 2015 by artmaknev