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3dsmax and Design


voltaire_ira
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hi everyone,

 

I would like to ask for your insights and of course your assistance..

i was tasked by our architecture department to talk about 3dsmax and its application in the design workflow (we're offering 3dsmax 6 to our graduating architecture students in our university, and i'm one of the new instructors). The lecture will be part of our annual design exhibit and the lecture is one of the highlights of the event. the my lectures will serve as a marketing tool for the university and the college of architecture, and also, an eye-opener for the cg visualization industry here in our counrty (its relatively immature).

 

my topic might include the ff:

1. capabilities of the software

2. integration of the software in the design workflow (be it architecture, interior design, industrial design)

3. software answering the needs of the client and designer

4. as an investment, is it really worth it?

5. what else?????????

 

So before i do the presentation material, i would like to get some comments from the experts on how to do this undertaking effectively.

 

I'am thinking of generalizing the software since any 3d package can be used. but our department is an Autodesk Authorized Training Center so i have to stick with max...

 

The exhibit will be held in one of the biggest mall here in Cebu, Philippines and there will be lots of people.

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The software can do anything you can imagine.

 

I don't think it integrates well with architecture because of how you are forced to model (FormZ shines in this area). It's cumbersome for architecture/construction. Good for final, presenation renderings/market renderings that an architect will rarely do anyway.

 

No, Max is not worth it for the $$ for the arch/construction industries. FormZ and Rhino are probably the best choices for architecture.

 

That's about it. There is a HUGE difference between software that is good for arch viz and software for architects. I would not want to design a building in Max, but I wouldn't want to render much in FormZ (although v5 has GI, so maybe I'll change my mind).

 

 

If discreet wakes up and starts charging less, it'll still be a decent choice, but for the price of one Max copy, you can have two FormZ/Rhino licenses.

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thanks for your insights...

as of now, I don't know where to start..

I share your disappointments with regards to the price of a single license of max, its quite expensive and max is probably an overkill to be used in architecture. Viz probably would fit. its cheaper and it has the tools needed for arch modeling.

designing is still best with a pencil and a piece of paper.

so i think i might stick to the topic of design visualization using max, probably the workflow.

and i still don't know where to start....sheesh!!!

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Hi,

 

I am stydying architecture and I am work for an architectural visualization studio.

 

The workflow my boss is using:

 

1. autocad for the 2d drawings, usually from archtitects who hire him

2. 3dsMax for 3d modelling >extruding splines, texturing and lighting

3. photoshop for stills, and premiere for animations

 

I have to say 3ds max fits perfectly in there. Max has some very useful plugins, like psd manager or salpel from cebas and alot more of them.

Rendering is very good because of the number of different renders, although we usually use the scanline render +lighttrace for time reasons.

 

So I have to say Max is great for professional visualization, and I want to use it for my own university projects, but for architectural modelling on its own, it is just is not very practical.

 

Bye, Jan

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What is very practical and useful for both designing and modelling for further work in MAx or other programs is SketchUp from @Last. It's a fantastic program, and IMO it's even better than pencil and paper for architectural work, from the first sketches to the detailing. I use it every day, with a smile on my face :)

You can download and try it out for 8 CPU hours from http://www.sketchup.com

Don't forget to look at (all) the tutorial videos on their site!

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