Archviz people: What modeling software do you use?

[jbond04]

I was curious what software packages all you architectural visualization people use for modeling. Do you use AutoCAD, 3ds Max, Rhino, etc.? Please list what software and what version - comments on why you like your package are more than welcome.

I'll start off:
-AutoCAD 2004 (primarily)
-3ds Max 5 (very seldom)

I use AutoCAD 2004 (plain jane version...no Architectural Desktop) for most of my modeling, then if there is a particular shape or feature that AutoCAD can't do well (like terrain), then I'll use 3ds Max 5. I'm pretty fast at AutoCAD (actually I'd call myself really fast), but there are times when I wonder if there might be a better solution out there... Just curious to see what everyone else uses.

[natty]

I just use Autocad cad to clean up the plans .... get the text and stuff off, and use them as blueprints in max ...and do all my modelling in max.

[Frances]

I use Rhino.

[natty]

I just dont see the point in using any other App to model archviz models than Max

[Daniele]

I agree with Natty, for most of works.
But for some models I use Rhino, that is very fast, flexible, and can work with nurbs as max really will never be able to do.

[Mudvin]

How do you convert models from rhino to max? Tesselating, then exporting as obj?

[natty]

I always found that IGES was the best format because it imported as Nerbs Mesh.. but that was a couple of years ago now.

[Daniele]

there is a very good plugin to import directly the Rhino files into max.
If I well remember, you can find it for free at the Rhino website

[dennis]

i use 3ds max to extrude and build from plans i cleaned up in ACAD, just as natty described.
Latly i tend to do the extruding part in ACAD aswell, and i plan to learn to do most in ACAD.
we have some building educated people that prepare our stuff in ACAD then i import to 3ds and they do it a whole lot quicker than i can in 3ds.

[tdarcy]

I use autocad mainly working from elevations for building exteriors.
I can model much quicker in autocad and i prefer the way autocad handles object snaps etc.
I use viz for tricky shapes although my viz modeling is a bit poor at the minute.

[travistlo]

I just use Autocad cad to clean up the plans .... get the text and stuff off, and use them as blueprints in max ...and do all my modelling in max.

Same

[plastic_]

i use autocad to fix/create clean polylines and hatches, which i extrude in max.
i also often use archicad for modelling, it is really fast for non-fancy architecture (walls, windows, doors).

[paulison]

yep, Archicad here as well mostly because about 50% of our work is already modelling in archiCAD by drafties. I find it really fast but it is a bit poor when it comes to polycount!

[cpnichols]

Interesting... I was expecting a lot more formZ... has it become unfashionable? I always find it useful to model in the program you are going to render in. Spending 1/2 your time trying to convert and cleaning up models seems like a waste of time and money.

[natty]

yep .. i totaly agree with you cpnichols..