Where to go/What to do..........

Ph0n33z · February 10, 2005

Hello everyone. I seem to be stuck in a rut right now. I decided that I wanted to try and pursue arch viz and possibly even draftsmanship or architecture just last week. I am 18 years old, and have lots of time to study and work.

The problem I have seems to be a common one. I do not know where to start. I know each and every person is different in terms of their preference for workflow, applications, renderers, etc. However, my problem is where to start in terms of modeling. As I have found, and know, modeling in 3d is a concept, a state of mind. It does not necessarily have to do with the particular application you are using. So my problem is that I do not know where to turn to develop this way of thinking. I do not have the concept of 3d modeling in my head yet. I come from a 2d background, so this is very different for me.

What would you guys recommend for me? Would it be best to just look at tutorials/videos that show modeling in the different applications? Would it be better to get a book on 3d? Would it be better to just go at it and try and develop the skills necessary by trial and error?

I have been messing around with modeling in cinema 4d, my app of choice so far, and i am getting somewhere. However, i get stuck frequently, as I am sure is normal. I just do not know what to do, or where to turn.

Please help me find my way. THankyou so much.

Sketchrender · February 10, 2005

Well your young, and have not really started studing yet.

It is important if you are to get in to the arch viz business to have a good grounding in either architecture or an architectural technician.

Knowing the basics of the business will save you a lot of problems down the line, and will get in the door to possible clients too.

Not a lot of people in the business went straight in to it, they sort found themselves getting in to it if you know what i mean.

So decide what you wan to do, and then on the tail of that do the arc viz.

This is what i feel anyway.

mtb0506 · February 10, 2005

hey Cory, well, the way i got started was in architecture school. my choice of apps was pretty much forced on me as we had to learn autocad and 3ds max. from there i just kept playing with it and reading about it and learning everything possible. i think since you have already started with cinema 4d you should stick with it. its better to have a lot of skills in one app than to have some skills in a lot of apps. just keep plugging away at it. i've been doing this for four years and i still learn new things all the time, thats the stuff that keeps this work interesting. as for where to learn, this forum is a great place. but books & tutorials are good too, everything helps. just make sure you find the info that is for your skill level.

Eric · February 10, 2005

You're 18, and you come from a 2D background - I assume that means you had some Industrial Technology class in high school? If so, I also went through those classes. What software did you learn? Was it Autocad?

There are several books out there that have multiple tutorials for various programs all in the same book. Hit your local bookstore and see which programs are most commonly covered on the shelf - you'll maybe want to consider using a program that has the tutorial support to go with it. And the users too. Check this site and see which programs get the most activity in the forums and galleries - you'll get the best responses to problems if you go with a program that has a large user-base.

Your local college might offer a 3D class. I took the one my university offered - I was practically teaching the professor how to use Max. Strangely enough, I still had to pay for the class - go figure. You'll at least have time every week set aside to focus on one particular program.

You're right - you can basically create a fantastic rendering using nearly any available app. It really just comes down to your own creativity, and how well you can work the software you have available to you.

From a 3D mindset point of view, most programs are built around the same terminology. If you can learn different techniques presented in one program, you can most likely translate that into your program of choice. However, you have to know where the buttons are if you want to get anywhere. This is why I'd suggest finding an application that is common among your field. I prefer Max/Viz/Autocad/Photoshop, and of course, Google!

I'm typing on my laptop, so forgive me for any spelling errors. And for views on particular software. It's the laptop's fault.

Ph0n33z · February 10, 2005

Thanks for your quick replies guys. It means a lot.

One of the most difficult decisions I am having is becoming totally devoted to one particular app. I do use Cinema 4d, but I know that the community base for max/viz is ENORMOUS. Especially on this forum. I am willing to try and learn max/viz/autocad, but i just dont know.

Is it better to take, say, a month for each app and see which I like best? Such as max/c4d/viz, and on the cad side, autocad/adt/vectorworks/allplan? Or is it better to just stick with C4D and run with it?

Thanks again guys I really appreciate it.

Crazy Homeless Guy · February 10, 2005

I decided that I wanted to try and pursue arch viz and possibly even draftsmanship or architecture just last week.

if you are going with architecture, i wouldn't worry to much about choosing an app, there are other skills/ideas that need to be developed before you worry about high quality 3d/viz work.

cinema is a respectable app, and in my opinion has been on its way up. max is max. a good app, but maybe to big. if you are starting to get familiar with cinema, stick with it. you won't learn enough in a month anyway.

it all depends on what your goals are though. are you looking to jump into the freelance/startup world? ...cinema is fine, maybe pick up autocad since that is the app that most of drawings submitted to you will be produced in. if you are looking to work for an arch or viz firm, max might be the better choice simply because it is so common.

if you want to draft learn revit or autocad. both of which you can model in also, just in a different way than you would with cinema or max.

Eric · February 10, 2005

If you're talking about doing 2D cad work, I'd DEFINITELY suggest Autocad or Autocad Architectural Desktop (autocad with more features). Since you're young, and your brain is more capable of absorbing stuff that's thrown at it, I'd suggest Autocad ADT, and learn everything you can about the ADT side of it (the BIM or whatever the heck it's called). Heck, I think Revit may be much better at information modeling - I'm not really sure, as none of the Architects in our office use anything more than basic Autocad funcitions, so it's pointless for me and our CAD group to try to incorporate ADT features into our drawings that the Architects have to be able to open.

I think you'll find that Autocad is what's used among the great majority of Architectural firms. It's also a pretty capable modeler, though you'll need something like Viz to bring out the rendering side of it.

How well does C4D play with Autocad, or Revit, or whatever CAD application you want to roll with?

Heck, you might want to hit the classified ads and see what kind of jobs are out there and what the software requirements are. You'll want to have skills to go along with the company's software, as most companies won't want to fork out the money for a new CAD/Rendering package, unless they want you to head up their CAD department, which in that case you'll need considerable experience.

Eric · February 10, 2005

you won't learn enough in a month anyway.

I agree 100%. Well, you might be able to master Sketchup in a month. I've been using 3D Studio/Max/Viz for years. Since the last Dos version of Studio. I'm not sure anyone can ever really be a "expert" though with as many releases of new versions as they've had lately.

Ph0n33z · February 10, 2005

I think part of the problem I am having is that I DO NOT KNOW what I want to do yet. I am not sure whether or not I will enjoy arch viz or drafting. So im trying to find the best approach to figure out whether this field is something I want to do.

Eric · February 10, 2005

hmm, does anybody actually enjoy drafting? I sure don't. It's just part of my job description. In the long run I think you will enjoy renderings more, at least if you're the artistic type. However, there may be a place for you in a firm as the CAD Manager, in charge of an entire department. In my opinion though, a draftsman is not a long term career, it's a stepping stone. It just doesn't pay well enough usually. However, I'm sure others on this board can tell you they make a comfortable living doing architectural renderings. At 18, you can't expect to have everything figured out. Heck, I'm 29, and I don't have a clue what I'll be doing 5 years from now. I'm hoping to be self employed, but I sure as heck don't want to be a "line snapper" doing construction documents all day. It does pay bills though...

I'd suggest pursuing the rendering side of things, as you'll probably develop better 2D skills along the way - especially if you are using Autocad for modeling. However, doing 2D will not naturally lead to 3D. Also, if you are using information modeling or whatever the term is, you'll be creating 3D models that generate their own 2D construction drawings (for the most part) and you'll be learning the future of production drafting.

This all just my opinion, of course.

Ph0n33z · February 10, 2005

Thanks so much Eric! That last post really cleared some stuff up for me! Its nice to know I am not the only one who doesnt know what he is going to do. I just expect a lot out of myself, and that is part of the problem.

I think I am going to pursue the arch viz side of things. However, I am going to include learning autocad in with that process. I want to be able to develop the plans for a building, and then import them into c4d for modeling.

I also have a questioni about autocad. Should I go for autocad/adt/revit? I know autocad is the tried and true, but would it be better to learn one of the newer apporoaches? Thanks again guys!

P.S. I just went to your site and i LOVE your style. I think im in love with you now! LOL. Do you maybe use AIM or anything? I would love to be able to talk to you.

P.P.S I was joking about the being in love thing of course heheheh

Eric · February 10, 2005

Myself, and two other guys in our office have Autocad Architectural Desktop 2005. None of us use any features that can't be found in plain Autocad 2005 (well, we might use a few things). That's partly because of the learning curve of the ADT side of the software, but also because our software has to be able to be edited by the other people in our office, who barely know how to plot their own drawings.I would definitely suggest researching Revit. If it does what I think it does, and I have not read much about it because I know our accounting department won't let us buy it, I think you basically draw in 3D and it generates (for the most part) your construction documents. I know I'm vastly simplifying it, but I think it's supposed to be even better than Autocad ADT with a much better learning curve and ease of operation. If that's the case, I'd expect more and more firms to start using Revit, especially if it will save them money by speeding up production.

Yeah, I use MSN Messenger, and thanks for the compliment on our site and work! Check your private message.

Ernest Burden III · February 10, 2005

There have been a lot of discussions here about your question, and similar.

I decided on 'started' as a search term and mined the following. It's a lot to read, but I think if you are serious you will learn quite a bit from it all:

http://www.cgarchitect.com/vb/showthread.php?t=8631&highlight=started

http://www.cgarchitect.com/vb/showthread.php?t=8398&highlight=started

http://www.cgarchitect.com/vb/showthread.php?t=8359&highlight=started

http://www.cgarchitect.com/vb/showthread.php?t=7541&highlight=started

http://www.cgarchitect.com/vb/showthread.php?t=10&highlight=started

http://www.cgarchitect.com/vb/showthread.php?t=6792&highlight=started

http://www.cgarchitect.com/vb/showthread.php?t=6657&highlight=started

http://www.cgarchitect.com/vb/showthread.php?t=6435&highlight=started

http://www.cgarchitect.com/vb/showthread.php?t=6002&highlight=started

http://www.cgarchitect.com/vb/showthread.php?t=4777&highlight=started

http://www.cgarchitect.com/vb/showthread.php?t=197&highlight=started

http://www.cgarchitect.com/vb/showthread.php?t=2930&highlight=started