CompuServe Thread

Hi, Don. I have spent some time modeling furniture and I have done modeling in both ACAD and 3DS(I did CAD work for many years prior to getting into 3D Animation with 3DS), and it is my opinion that unless you need accuracy to 1/32 of an inch, 3DS is much easier (also more fun) than ACAD and would naturally take less time. Also, you don't mention how much detail you need to do in your projects. Assuming moderate detail, it should be possible to model a kitchen in 3DS in 10 hours…very detailed, probably not. Regards, Connie

Don, The thing you weren't real clear on is if you want to use the models you created in GenCadd for your renderings in 3D Studio, or create them from scratch in 3DS. If you want to use your GenCadd models, you will have to get them into DXF format to read them into 3DS, (does GenCadd have this capability?) If so, and assuming that GenCadd has also assigned faces in your model, (plain wireframes don't work), I think you would find 3DS very satisfactory. I've done quite a few architectural renderings by importing AutoCAD models into 3DS, ('won a Caddie for one in '92), and think 10 hours to get a rendering of a "standard type" kitchen is reasonable, assuming you are using a previously built model. This also assumes some experience with 3DS; obviously, there is a learning curve involved. An added advantage of using 3DS is that it is just a small step up, (not counting advanced equipment, if you need it), to get animated walkthroughs, etc., of your model. If you *do* get 3D Studio, be sure to pick up "Inside 3D Studio" by New Riders Publishing. It's written by three Architects/Modelers/Animators, etc. that also frequent the forum here; maybe one of them will jump in with some more comments. John

Don With some experience it would be possible to get a kitchen rendering out of 3DS that would look quite good (assuming the 3D model was already done). The problem seems to lie in the fact that if you go to the effort to make it look "quite good" the neither customer nor you will be happy. The amount of tweaking of lights, materials, reflections, etc to make it look very good can amount to many more hours. The process is a great exercise but probably not a good way to make any money. I don't know Generic CAD but you could ask that question on the ARETAIL forum. Just my opinion. TedB !^NavFont01F0007MGHHHDFBB98

3DS is a very good consideration for architectural visualization but….. Unless your house projects are of substantial scope, it will probably not pay. For large, high end homes the owner's investment warrents the qaulity and time/expense of 3DS and there you have good possibilities. 3DS models for architects – this is happening all of the time, and will continue to grow. The cost of a completed 3DS model is usually comperable to a porofessional watercolor rendering of the same project – except of course that you can change materials, lights, and viewing position at will and have the option of creating an animation. This is also a tough market (you'll find yourself educating several architects) but the potential is definately there. Best of luck, – Phil

>>I am thinking of purchasing 3Ds for use in Rendering Architectural Interiors. << You can put 3DStudio to good use but you should be aware of the kind of limitations you're going to run into with interiors. The program can produce stunning images that can rival those made by traditional renderers, but generally 10 hrs doesn't buy you those images. If you use it for visualization, not necc. the highest realism level, then it's a fine tool for you. Two points strike me: – I use 3DS for Architectural *exteriors* and as a result, I have the luxery of not having to get my camera too close to my subject. I'm able to edit the level of detail accordingly. With *interiors*, you are going to be very close to cetain parts of your models and in order for them to be highly realistic, they have to be highly detailed in one way or another (maps, mesh, etc.) – You could make very good use of your models by saving every seperate sink, tub, chair, table, sconce, etc as a seperate file for use in other jobs, modified or not. In this way, time per model will drop as you build up a library of usefull objects. My 2 cents, Canadian (aprox $0.014 US) <g> Bruce Meikle

Hi Don! I've read all the messages sent to you before. I think that what this last person said, Bruce M., is very reasonable: if you build a library of elements that are most frequently used, you'll save a lot of time in future projects. The problem is that not all projects use the same elements. To model and render interiors can be very rewarding in the end, but you won't do it in 10 hours. Not until you have a library. Start modeling your basic walls and simple geometry in AutoCAD or Generic CAD and export it to 3DS as DXF. It will save you the trouble of working with the non-precise tools of 3DS. One more thought: as a designer or architect, you'll probably want to spend more time doing things related to design than to rendering. Many architects have spent a lot of time, effort and money learning to use 3DS only to realize that it would be easier to hire somebody. Think of that: if you have the time to spare, go ahead 'cause you'll have a lot of fun! Bye, Eni