Using Max over Chief Architect/AutoCad/SketchUp

[Ph0n33z]

Greetings everyone. I know the quesion: "What is the best program to use for Arch Viz?" gets asked ALL the time. But that is not my question.

 

What I am curious about is to what the specfic reasons are for using the different methods. It would seem to me that creating the layout or floorplan in a cad program (i.e. Chief Architect, Form-Z, Autocad,etc..) and then importing into 3DS Max or Cinema 4D for further details and final renderings would be a lot easier.

 

Is this true? Or is it better to start learning Max or Cinema 4D in every aspect, so that the entire project can be done within those apps.

 

P.S. I am JUST starting out in Arch Viz. So I can take any route necessary to get started. Thanks for your time!

[Jason Matthews]

Hello Cory, and welcome to cgarchitect. First, I would research your question on the forum. It is a popular question with a popular answer. I will run over it quickly. The program you use is not nearly as important as the person using it.

 

Each one of us have our own particular way of working. I use CAD to model with and Viz to render with. I use Viz because I use the file linking function. I am a student at University of Florida and the file link option is not available there for max. Also they only have Max 5.1.

 

Other people use CAD to model with and export as .dwg, dxf, or .3ds. Then they import into their desired program. While other do all of the modeling and rendering in Max, Viz, Cinema 4D, Lightscape, etc.

 

In your situation, I would try all of the demos and see which you are most comfortable and proficient with. Then make your own decision.

 

So to fully answer your question, it depends on you and how much time, effort, and money you want to spend. So the sermon for the day is practice a lot and stay in touch with the forum. These guys know what they are doing and I would not know have of the stuff I do if not for them.

 

Jason

[mbr]

I use acad only for editing the drawings. So maybe about 1% of each project, if that. I prefer to model in FormZ, as it is by far the fastest modeling program I've used for arch viz. I then import into Max for rendering (with Final Render).

 

Everyone has their own way. I find Max and Acad too cumbersome to maneuver quickly in. Max gets soooo slow when there is a lot of information on the screen and it's just not made for making buildings (bad accuracy, poor snapping, horrible booleans, etc.). But for rendering and animating, it can't be beat.

 

I'd try Max first. You can do everything in it, unlike Acad and FormZ (although you can do all, just not as well as Max). I believe it's the second most popular modeler in architecture (that's my first field, and all my buds are architects) after FormZ.

[Richard McCarthy]

Hi Cory, welcome to CGarchitect.

Every program is just a tool for the artist/architect, so just use what you feel most comfortable and efficient.

That been said, I found that program like Autodesk Revit / Graphisoft ArchiCAD / Chief Architect are the best "base" modeler (barebone structures), it keeps the design "alive" as you can generate plans and section with it accurately, and it is also faster because you are drawing with objects / library. In later stage, you can just import the generated 3D model into MAX for further 3D detailing (furnitures, skirting, people/trees)

[slawnick]

The thing Max will not do is print out anything resembling working drawings; it will only print out the pictures you render. A CAD app (being vector as opposed to raster) is a much easier way to print plans, hidden line views, etc.

 

mbr...how is the drafting mode in FormZ? Is it interchangeable with the modeling mode? Like, if I built a model, could I then flip into drafting mode, and work with a plan view of the model, adding dim, notes, etc.?

[BrianKitts]

My visualization has pretty much evolved into a three step process. Working in a full architecture firm, by default most of the design ideas come to us from Autocad drawings or on trace.

 

From there it's modeled in Form-z...... because although it's rendering engine isn't the greatest....well who are we kidding, it stinks, and the program is prone to crash, they have the microsoft mentality of get it out quick, who cares if it all isn't working flawlessly. BUT....its a pretty darn good modeler. I don't mind modeling in Max, but I began in form_z so I know my shortcut keys in my sleep, so it's still going to be faster. From Form_z We save out DWG files of the 3d model in form_z.

 

3dsMax7 has a built-in DWG link that allows you to texture models of linked geometry. Then if we update the model in form_z and update the DWG, max is automatically updated, that way you can work seamlessly between Form_z for modeling, and Max for lighting (we use v-ray) and texturing. Everytime you saveout a new DWG, max keeps all the textures and mapping by layer, so if you keep your layers organized by surface material, once you set your mapping, you never have to redo it when you change the model. I can't take credit for the seamless integration step with DWG link..... some crazy homeless guy developed it. He wanders around this site now and then...

 

And one last comment answering about can you dimension in FormZ drafting.... yes you can, but you basically copy your model from model mode into drafting mode, and it's not an active link. If you update the model, it does not update the drafting version. Its okay for drafting, but there's a reason AUTOCAD is a standard.....it works well!