how do you model?

[themaxxer]

hello all

I always model the architecture in max from DWG files. but I ask myself if there's not a better (quicker) way to do this.

so my question is what software do you use to model your buildings?

I heard (and know) from Autocad, Archicad, Sketchup, Revit, Vectorworks


best regards
themaxxer

[rivoli]

I do everything in max, almost exclusively poly modelling. I'm just too much used to it, and find it much easier to model objects having in mind what kind of mapping I'm going to use later on. I usually tend to unwrap a lot of geometry, that's why for me has always been a nightmare to work with imported objects from autocad or whatnot. never used sketchup though, and never dealt with geometry imported out of it.

[flino2004]

Modeling speed in my opinion for non-organic shapes Sketchup is the best. Taking in consideration that a studio could work with only one pro version and free version for the rest of the office.....any way I combine sketch up, max and rhino in my workflow... I don't believe in one tool that do everything well, this is why we use vray with max.

[s0real]

usually import 2d cad dwgs into max and polymodel everything...

i used to model everything in autocad but had to spend ages fixing modelling errors / flipped faces once i'd imported...

some of our studio use sketchup to model and then ask me to render up their models now and then, but i usually end up rebuilding the models in max anyway...

[Horizon]

I import basic 2D CAD floor/roof plans into modo and poly model everything while referring to elevations in AutoCAD for height info. Then export to Max and Vray it up.

I've worked with a few models drawn in other apps and I always end up redoing them become they are too messy, basic, or poorly drawn to work with. Especially when I am expecting a lot of design changes.

[flino2004]

If you know that you are going to export the model to another application the way that you work in Sketchup change to looks in there...of course you have to know what you are doing! ... I Think Peter Guthrie uses Sketchup for Modeling and for sure he knows what he is doing and "How".

usually import 2d cad dwgs into max and polymodel everything...

i used to model everything in autocad but had to spend ages fixing modelling errors / flipped faces once i'd imported...

some of our studio use sketchup to model and then ask me to render up their models now and then, but i usually end up rebuilding the models in max anyway...

[lukx]

I agree modeling arch in Sketchup is faster than max but... when client suddenly want to change something your are doomed... (importing again assigning mats again, uv mapping)

I guess Peter got clients that doesn't play "changes" game so he can just model and forget

[trick]

For fast non-detailed modeling Sketchup, with more (or huge amounts of !!)details FormZ !!!

[Morne]

AutoCAD. Never had major problems. For Archviz AutoCAD is much quicker than Max. However if I had access to Revit I would use that.

[absolute3d]

Definitely only use one software to model. I use bricscad for 2d dwg clean and max for all modelling process. I think this is the easiest way because you don't have to clean the model or import it...it's always better to work on less softwares as possible to avoid geometry errors.

Cheers.

[thablanch]

Here 3dsMax all the way...
Modelling in something else could be as fast initially, but after a few ( or many) changes, switching software becomes quite a pain....

[paulo silva]

i use rhino to clean dwg 2d plans and modeled everything in 3dsmax (polymodeling), when client whants to change something in the model is very fast since i´m used to do everything in 3dsmax.
So i think the trick is to be expertise in one tool.

[Inaxis]

+1 for polymodelling in max with some reference 2D Autocad/Archicad DWGs. Here at my office I never get final drawings from architects so modelling/mapping in max is the fastest way in my opinion.

[3DMK]

I ONLY use max.

Always had problems importing bad CAD geometry so after a while I decided to refuse any models from any other software than max. [My modeler hated me for this...lol]
I have lost track of how many hours I've wasted with rendering issues that arise from bad polygons/normal/etc.
I don't see any point in using other software to model faster, yet being slowed down by the errors caused by importing. Quality is more important to me than quantity.
IMO sketchup is the worst of them....I have seen it screw up the most simple geometry time & time again.
Like everyone else also mentioned...max is the fastest when you need to change things.....which happens every job for me.

Speaking of that.....if any exellent MAX modelers are looking for architectural modeling work, please PM me!

Cheers

jamie

Cheers

[flino2004]

the fastest way to do it is mapping as much as possible in SU, keeping the same name materials between SU and max....exporting the model by material, in max updating the materials takes one click. it's not difficult if know the correct work flow.

I agree modeling arch in Sketchup is faster than max but... when client suddenly want to change something your are doomed... (importing again assigning mats again, uv mapping)

I guess Peter got clients that doesn't play "changes" game so he can just model and forget