Modeling: Architectural

[TimWoods]

make sure you use your snap tools, to vertex or grid, 2 dimensionally or 3d snap. all very usefull.
The way i work is to import the cad drawing and use it to snap to.

p.s If you have two shapes in a editable spline, and they over lap, there is a trim tool in the spline roll out near the bottom.

:D

[Transform Gizmo]

editable spline will provide you with the drawing tools you are looking for. you can use it to create max's equiv to regions, trim and extend lines etc. although max is capable of architectural modelling it definatly wont replace something like autocad or arch desktop for the modelling process. the main difference you will notice and probably already have noticed is the difference in workflow. i would suggest pulling up the user reference and looking up editable spline if you are trying to learn the process. just take some time to read through the different tools and how they work and then all it takes is some getting used to.

[jeteral]

THanks you guys!
I was just sitting here thinking to myself, is it going to be worth it to literally teach myself all that there is to know about modeling in MAX, Or should I just go ahead and fire up the old AutoCAD and get going. I am going to learn these dogone splines
and then I will post my results. I have a project that I am supposed to have finished by Monday, and I have it done already in AutoCAD, but I would love to be able to submit and knock their socks off with a max rendering
wish me luck

jet

[TimWoods]

auto cad is far more accurate, but i work at a visualisation company, we only use max. This gives us flexability with animation, lighting and if you want to use radiosity you will have to build from scratch as the autocad model wont work very well.

keep drawing in CAD and model in Max of Vis.

:D

[jeteral]

now see that is part of the problem for me as well.
I would like to have the flexibility of being able to animate every single architectural project that I do, even if it is just a walkthrough I am trying to build a library and learn as much as possible about it. The extensions that are used in AutoCAD and some of their supporting programs for animation just arent powerful enough. And Yes I want to be able to do Radiosity Renderings. I have been using a program called Accurender and it is a radiosity renderer. The only reason why I am grabbing at max right now is because ultimately I would like to be able to provide very photorealistic renderings as i please.
I am just going to start plunging into these manuals is all im going to do.
I got to get it.
Anyone down for a little bit of training?

[Tex3D]

MY $.02

In my opinion, the only thing you really need to pay attention to when going from ACAD to MAX is your layer assignments. I usually do all of my modeling in ACAD and then bring it all in as a 3DS file. I have had much less errors by using 3DS rather than dwg. Not only that, but sometimes MAX locks up on the larger DWG files I use.

Anyways, ....If you have a lot of objects that have similar textures it may be easier to put them all on the same layer. For example...I do VERY large conveyor layouts and rather than have a bunch of models of conveyor on the same layout. I have to do Rollers, Side Channels, Belts, Bolts, DriveShafts...etc... Because those items have similar material asssignments.

Now, if you want to get REALLY detailed then you will probably have to do some modelling IN MAX so that you have much better control of your faces and poly's. I have found that simply converting to editable mesh doesn't work well for me.

If I am doing a door frame, I will do a layer for Frame, Door,Handles, GlassPanel. Or whatever your door consists of.

Just a few things to think about. Maybe some of you guys have a MUCH better solution. I'd DEFINITELY be glad to hear em:beer:

-Dave

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