Getting Started

[iDLe]

Hi All,

 

I'm new to this so please go easy!

 

I'd like to learn how to generate decent quality renders from an architects .dwg's.

 

What is usually involved in this process. I presume its a case of imported in the cad drawings to 3dmax/viz etc to model before materials and effects are added and rendered.

 

Could anyone expand on this for me - maybe even show me a few examples?

 

 

I have no idea how many hours it should take to produce? The final I'm trying to get to would only be used in the first phase, so the developer just needs a nice colour example to take along to planning meetings and a small version of the file for the website as they look to gain the permission needed to go ahead.

 

I'll try to provide some examples, the site I need is currently down.

 

How much would a freelance look to earn for something of this nature? And how much time does it take to turn around.

 

I'm basically giving myself 6 months to learn to various packages required so in the meantime I'm also looking for someone to take on this work.

 

Any help or suggestions appreciated.

 

Best regards

iDLe

[Arnold Sher]

Hi Glyn,

 

You have pretty much down in terms of the process... In terms of timing of 6 months it should be doable however it does help if somebody shows you the ropes. Charging story is tricky as it depends on how complicated the building is and the amount of work that the client gives you as that tends to effect the rate. I would investigate of what the hourly rate is in UK and take from there. You need to take into concideration an initial capital outlay for software,hardware, various plugins so on and so forth...

 

If you have specific queries do not hesiate to ask... All the best

 

Regards

 

Arnold Sher

Principal Member

Asylum Studio

[derijones]

Hi

I'm pretty new to this game myself (about a year and a bit)and it's a good bit more complicated than I first bargained for, coming from a 3D CAD engineering background.

Choose your package carefully - Max or Viz seem to be the standards and there is a lot of information about on getting good results. You also have a variety of render engines to use with MAX - an important point. I use Maya (I'm not exactly Autodesks biggest fan!), but there is little info about on using it for Arch viz and it is currently a bit poor on render engine compatability.

This website has heaps of info on techniques, sources of tutorials and suchlike (and lots of helpfull people!) - also have a look at CG Networks, Highend3D, Deathfall and the 3D world magazine sites for more general rendering stuff.

Books - Isaac Kerlow and Jeremy Birn are good authors - the first on the background of CG and general discussion of techniques, Birn on lighting and materials, there are several others, but these will get you started.

On top of Max or whatever package you choose to use, there's photoshop, After effects and video packages if you get in to animations - there's a hell of a lot to learn and it will take time - trying to tweak renders is one of the most time consuming tasks known to man - buy yourself the fastest twin processor machine you can afford- it will be an investment!

Price wise, I don't know what the UK averages are, but I seem to average between £150-£210 / day on projects, depending on complexity - I'd imagine Windsor way has slightly more affluent customers!

Hope this helps and best of luck!

Deri

[iDLe]

Thanks for the pointers so far chaps - seems I'm on the right tracks, but only now do I realise how far they stretch!

 

I'm a complete novice - I work in tech development so I'm no noob when it comes to technology but most of my experience is based around networks and operating systems.

 

I'll try to describe the work in better detail - I should be able to post an image soon.

 

Basically looking to take the cad drawings and design spec and create a an impression of how the new building looks in the current surroundings. I know this sounds complex but in the schemes of things I'd deem this to be a simplistic render. Must look professional whilst not requiring the greatest lighting, shading and effects.

 

My client would like to sign see the basic 3d model to sign off before applying textures and colours, he'd then view again and make any minor tweaks before signing off for final render.

 

The building in question is a 4 storey block of 45 apartments set on a main road and the image should show how this sits in the current background. It will replace an office block that currently resides there. I imagine a couple of people walking past, business types and some blurred cars driving by on a bright sunny day.

 

Could anyone suggest how many hours/days this would take in a perfect world? IE: no issues or problems, no re-designs or disasters!!

 

I'm plan to continue my involement and progress my skills whilst outsourcing my initial projects to the freelance.

 

Keep the advice coming, its a big help!

[JamesTaylor]

Hi Glyn,

 

as someone that works for a 3d architectural visualisation company at present i would say it is always difficult to put your finger on just how long creating a visual will take until you've seen the plans / elevations, as the complexity of the design can effect the difficulty of the modelling process. For example modelling a square building will be much easier than modelling a building that has many complex curves.

 

however, i find on average, for lets say a single simple house type, that just under a day would be required to model the exterior of the building. i'd suggest that from your brief description of the building in hand that you may be looking at a coupe of days for the modelling process and again a similar time span for lighting and texturing with maybe a day or less in setting up and compositing the render into a photograph. Other issues which can also affect the time but in a smaller fashion would be the resolution required for the render as the higher it is the longer it will take, although this is offset by the fact machines can be left rendering overnight while some well earned rest is gained!!

 

Ultimately, in respect to time, an image can be produced in almost any given period. As part of a three man project at work I recently completed 6 images of a 1400 unit development in china in under 2.5 days, we started the process from scratch and only had hand drawn sketchs to work from that were being drawn 20mins before we needed the info!!.......but the quality will suffer by time restraints.

 

The process you suggest of having the modelling signed off before starting work on the lighting and texturing is very sensible and something we always try to do when working with clients, as it keeps everybody in the picture and and is much more effective than completing an image then having to go back and make ammendments.

 

If your looking for a freelancer to complete the work i would be happy to look over a set a drawings and give you a price for the work. If you would like to see some examples of my recent work please email me at james@virtualform.net and i can send a few on to you.

 

hope this is of some help.

 

James