I haven’t hurt anybody with polygons, vertexes and pixels yet.
JA-forreal,
That previous post was awesome one
Here’s a link.
A lot of software nowadays is based on this approach. Archicad, Architectural Desktop and Revit to name the most famous.
Well, 2D plans for engeneers and workers can be derived from the 3D models painlessly so why draw in 2D in the first place.
3D allows for so much more : simulations, visualisations, rapid changes since one is enough (don’t have to worry about many views that may all need modifications).
If architects still use 2D (and it is less and less) that is simply because they don`t know better. This will change with kids coming out of school and software like Solidworks getting a bigger part of the market.
Jean
Hmm… So since we can design arch. stuff in Blender (at least concept stage), we need script that would allow us to create cross-sections and plans from 3D model
Thanks. This thread kinda got me going. I know what it’s like to put yourself out there in the marketplace without a clue. Just finding an outlet for your work is hard enough. I used to think that we 3d artist had something to prove when we approached a job or whatever. Now I know that 3d artist are better off at being very effective. This often means providing more accurate and efficient design solutions. This can lead to our work being used in some very practical real world applications.
Someone posted a comment about 3d software being infinitely adjustable here on the forum. That is the power I guess we have as 3d artist.
I know that solutions to questions like the one that started this thread are important to the poster. People come on our forum to get help with situations that may effect their livelihood or education. We never how our comments will effect others. I don’t know how my comments effect others in every post. I just try to keep it positive.
This thread and BlenderArt Magazine has me thinking about putting some more effort into architectural cad education. I have always modeled my objects from sketches and photos like most 3d artist. I like the precision that working from cad a perspectives gives you for 3d projects. In my first trials with cad I see that the best thing about it is taking the guess work out of the project.
JA-forreal,
If you want precision in Blender, this script wil help you alot.
http://www.geneome.net/blender/hostedfiles/BMAE%20v1.zip
Thanks for linking that measurement script motorstep. I was just about to ask if any English speaking people reading this thread made use of the Procad script. All of the info for the Procad script is in Italian. It seems to be very useful for precision modeling in Blender also.
My current method for building structures in Blender involves laying out a floor plan based on my drawings. I construct the floor plan by starting with a plane. I use the knife tool, edge loop subdivide, etc. to cut wall and door definitions. Then I extrude, add curves, nurbs, etc for complex curves, for walls and doors etc. It works pretty good. Looking at the current BlenderArt magazine let me know that these methods are even used by Blender architecture pros. If I need hundred windows, etc. across a building surface I fire up Wings. Wings is great for quick building models.
I have been using Blenders trusty 3d cursor snapping for years to align windows, doors, etc. I also use Dupliverts to set one detailed arched window model into place across many groups of window openings. Oh yeah we need more snapping features.
The transformation gizmo is what I mainly use to align columns to openings, etc. I have lot’s of after thoughts while I model. I’m used to filling out the rest of each building detail according to my artistic whims. I try to keep it all according to plan.
Most of my structures are used as places to display and render product models, backdrops, etc. I can’t justify spending $4,500 for 3d cad software right now. Qcad seems to be enough ATM.
Interesting, could you expand or do a breakdown of your methods regarding your approach to architectural modeling from sketches and photos? Coming from a CAD background I’ve always worked from 2D CAD drawings. Generally every 3D artist I’ve met in one architects office to another have worked with 3D Studio V2 to 4 for DOS then Viz and now 3D Studio Max using 2D CAD info as the basis of their models, as one of the first steps in any new design is to aquire a site survey for levels and existing features and site measured plans and elevations of any existing buildings to be retained / converted from a specialist land/building surveying company, who have for the last 10-15 years? drawn the data they have collected in CAD.
Maybe that’s the difference in working in an architects office where CAD is a main player as opposed to being an external ‘3D artist’ working from photos and sketches, where perhaps they are not CAD literate or see no need for such accuracy, although i’ve seen just as many inaccurate CAD drawings as inaccurate 3D visuals of interpreted building designs.
I can see the benefit of being able to model from sketches in order to interpret / visualise an architects sketch designs although it could be suggested that it is unecessary or not actually desirable to develop those sketch designs into a building model too soon.
I have been using Blenders trusty 3d cursor snapping for years to align windows, doors, etc. I also use Dupliverts to set one detailed arched window model into place across many groups of window openings. Oh yeah we need more snapping features.
Do i detect a little smuggness there from a seasoned blenderer. That because you’ve managed with the ‘trusty 3D Cursor snapping for years’ you see no reason for anyone else to need anything other than the way it is now? Regardless of the improvement it would make?
I like the precision that working from cad a perspectives gives you for 3d projects. In my first trials with cad I see that the best thing about it is taking the guess work out of the project.
It would be interesting to here your considered opinion on snapping etc when you get more into using CAD data rather than a subD modelling approach or infact the way you use the CAD data in a SubD way, being a far more skilled blenderer.
Shifting Clouds:
Well, 2D plans for engeneers and workers can be derived from the 3D models painlessly so why draw in 2D in the first place.
For many reasons. Understanding the general sequence of events in a architects practice would justify why 2D CAD still has a place and a part to play.
3D allows for so much more : simulations, visualisations, rapid changes since one is enough (don’t have to worry about many views that may all need modifications).
If architects still use 2D (and it is less and less) that is simply because they don`t know better.
The anology regarding using a sledge hammer to crack a nut. Please enlighten me regarding why architects don’t know any better. Does the architects practice you work for use Solidworks on every designers desktop. legitimate software licenses etc.
This will change with kids coming out of school and software like Solidworks getting a bigger part of the mark
How will kids coming out of school with basic solid works skills dictate what software an architects practice chooses, do kids from school carry that much influence? And Solid works, is that the main player in an architectural discipline? No AutoCAD, 3D Max, Viz, ArchiCAD, Vectorworks, ADT, Microstation?
If your talking about architectually trained students doing degrees then generally many are already in work placements for part of the time and doing their degrees part time, they will be using and becoming conversant with whatever software that particular practice is using and you can bet that that will be (if on PC) AutoCAD LT or full, ADT if their lucky, SketchUP, Max. On Mac Vectorworks.
Or do these kids / students come out of school with a commercial license for solid works under their arm to take with them to get their first job, i know solidworks or is it solidedge, have released their 2D CAD package for free, (if there’s anyone out their who still values such an outdated idea as 2D CAD maybe they’d like to snap it up.) but to give every student free commercial solid edge, man that’s a gift.
I won’t start an argument that won’t help anybody.
I speak from my experience and you from yours.
I am a custom furniture maker. For our own design purposes we own a Solidworks licence (2004) but I use myself Blender to design directly since I know how to and I am fast.
As for the plans we receive from architects, while there were none of it 10 years ago, now close to 30% are derived from 3D models.
As for the kids being needed I rely on what the architects tell me : most drafters working for them are 35 + and their mindset and experience revolves around 2D. They don’t want to, won’t maybe can’t think in 3D. Their bosses wish wholeheartedly that they would because they see where the wind is blowing. And they will hire kids with the right mindset any time.
As for the rest of what you ask : I can’t comment on what I don’t know.
Jean
As a designer I try to come up with interesting environments for my 3d scenes. In my many trials with one look or another I realized that building structures are perfect vehicles for containing 3d scene perspectives. Plus I can limit my textures in my surrounding environment and give all of the details to my featured main scene models. So my use of buildings in a 3d scene has a lot to do with controlling the spaces of my scenes. I use rough drawings to get an idea of the overall shapes and perspectives of the environment. I may even draw a product example that is placed in the environment. Then I begin modeling as I explained before.
Yeah, most 3d designers and artist just go with the look they are after. Then they fill in the spaces, modeling, texturing, lighting, rendering, compositing, until they get it just right. CAD could help 3d artist to prepare scene model designs with more accuracy. Who knows, a client may need one of their models for a real world application. This wouldn’t be a problem if the model was designed to scale in the first place. The other way is somewhat like baking a cake without a recipe. Hey if betty crocker comes a knockin’…
Along with better CAD snapping features in Blender I would like to see more automation in 3d cg. From stuff like hair that grows naturally to skin that looks right without any material setup. And an endless array of other 3d tech by the year 2020. 3d is way too manual in many areas right now. Seriously.
I wouldn’t be surprised if a software company like Luxology starts applying more automated 3d modeling features. I feel that 3d artist are a bit more practical in their approach to replicating cg art than say, 2d artist. Most 3d artist would welcome real CAD features. I for one am all for any advancement in 3d no matter how technical is becomes. As long a feature helps me get job done it’s ok.
I think that the Blender development team is very aware of the need for more advanced 3d features in Blender. I imagine that Blender 2.5 will be one of the best 3d software builds ever.
About ProCAD:
info: http://blenderartists.org/forum/showthread.php?t=75139
download: http://blenderartists.org/forum/showpost.php?p=732882&postcount=47