Hello
I work in construction & engineering visualisation.
3ds Max has been my main tool of production for many years.
I also use another autodesk product called Navisworks.
Navisworks is used for design coordination and construction planning (4D planning).
It reads various design formats as well as scheduling software (eg project, prima vera)
Navisworks simulates construction by taking the scheduled task ie build wall between a & b dates and linking this to the 3d object of that wall. If the schedule is updated in the original source file this can be synched and updated in Navisworks.
The problem with Navisworks works is that the presentation ability of the software is very limited relative to max. It seems to work on open GL and have no option for direct 3d.
The advantage of Navisworks is that it runs on a date based timeline.
I am interested in developing an add on to max that would read in scheduling files and link these to imported (or modeled) design information. The main challenge i see is that it would need to have a date based timeline (as opposed to a keyframe timeline).
I have no development experience and am looking for ideas as to what skills and/or operators would be required to develop a product such as this.
sketchup has developed similair plugins (synchro, 4d virtual builder)
cheers