CompuServe Messages

Hi John, No questions are ever stupid. We had to start out asking the same questions a little over a year ago. Now we are a full fledged animation firm specializing in Architectural visualization. As to the cost questions, it all depends upon whether this is the only one you wish to do or if you plan on making the 'walk-through's a standard part of your architectural services. If this is the only one you want to do, or if you only plan on doing it a couple times a year, your most cost effective solution would be to hire an independent contractor to create the animation ( you can always call us). If you plan on making animated 'walk-through's a standard part of your service package, plan on getting the following equipment and spending the amounts shown or more (this just shows some of the major stuff we had to get to do the same thing you are wanting to do): 3D-Studio $ 3,000.00 S-VHS vcr $ 3,000.00 – 6,000.00 NTSC video card $ 2,000.00 + VCR controller card $ 1,000.00 + Misc other cards/sftwr/etc. $ 2,000.00 + This doesn't include the time to come up to speed on the new software, install and fight with all the new hardware, or the other expenses that surprised us when we started. Regarding your question about how to show the animation, either on the computer or on video tape; Think of it from the client's perspective, if he spends extra to have a walk-through done, he's gonna want to show it to other people, and you probably don't want all his friends, relatives, and business associates pouring into your office to look at your computer screen, but he won't have to bother you if its output to a video tape he/she can take with them. It's a pretty big investment of time and money to get into creating animated walk-throughs and do it right, but if you plan to do it often enough it may be worth your while. If not, 'out-source' the animation part of your project to an indepent contractor. I hope this info is helpful. If you have any questions, please send me a message here, or call or write to the following. DesignTec 255 Celia St. Boaz, AL 35957 (205) 593-7789