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CAD Forums => Vertically Challenged => Architecturally Speaking => Topic started by: rktect3j on September 22, 2006, 10:18:24 AM

Title: 3D in acad 2002 best way about it?
Post by: rktect3j on September 22, 2006, 10:18:24 AM
My boss has asked me to explore 3d modelling.  I am just starting to read up on it and am having a hard time figuring out which method I should be using.  Mostly he wants this for renderings to show the client a pretty picture.  I think I would like to have it for seeing exactly how to build the structure.  Any thoughts on this.  I think I do not want wire mesh method.  Would solid or surface be my best bet here?
Title: Re: 3D in acad 2002 best way about it?
Post by: Greg B on September 22, 2006, 11:30:18 AM
If you want to start with something pretty...try SketchUp

Easy to learn and there is a free version you can work with.  Otherwise not to expensive.
Title: Re: 3D in acad 2002 best way about it?
Post by: Cavediver on September 22, 2006, 11:45:35 AM
What kind of work do you do? 

I'm in the trade show exhibit industry, very similar to architectural woodwork / custom cabinetry.  Most of the time we use solid modeling, but there is an occasional need for surfacing.  I rarely get into wire-mesh.  If the shape is super complex (lots of surface blending / lofting, etc) I find it easier to produce in a different software package (Solidworks).


From what I understand, AutoCAD can produce "pretty pictures" but great results are somewhat difficult to achieve.  I'm beginning to mess around with an add-on called Accurender (http://www.accurender.com/default.htm).  If you check out their site, you'll see some pretty decent renderings are possible.  If you want really, really nice stuff (photo-realistic), you'll probably want to get into VIS, 3DS, or some other (separate) rendering package.

Title: Re: 3D in acad 2002 best way about it?
Post by: Maverick® on September 22, 2006, 01:00:44 PM
*cough* Softplan out of the box *cough*     

(J/K)   Sorry guys. Couldn't resist.  :-D
Title: Re: 3D in acad 2002 best way about it?
Post by: Tramber on September 22, 2006, 04:09:25 PM
Have a look at my gallery :
http://abcad.pagesperso-orange.fr/flash/galerie.html

You can even find some of my pictures there :
http://www.autodesk.fr/adsk/servlet/item?siteID=458335&id=5545017
(no, you are not dreaming, it's Autodesk (french) website !)

It's all made in Acad 2004 (almost the same as 2002) but rendered buy a pro with 3DS. Some are rendered by myself with Penguin (same company than Accurender).

When we want, we can. But it needs a good knowledge of coordinates input possibilities to do 3D. Point filters are essential, for exemple.

In my new job, I've programmed a lot of utilities to build meshes (what I need less thanks to 2007 version), that is a crucial issue if you want to use those kind of entities.
But solids are sometimes enough and easy....

My advice would be : buy a (very) good book. I'm french but I built my personnal library from used booked on the american amazon.com !
I know exactly all about solids now.

And I use blocks a lot and explored patiently the color assignement system of Acad (previous to 2007), it makes renderings sessions more powerfull.
Title: Re: 3D in acad 2002 best way about it?
Post by: rktect3j on September 22, 2006, 04:13:36 PM
Well I do custom residential work.  I have been playing around today with 3d and I am getting pretty scared.  I am using surface technique.  I have walls in place, finally.  Moving up to the fascia and realized that there is a crown up there.  I have no idea how to make this crown work.  Complex shape right?

My boss doesn't want to spend any money on new programs.  Right now I have no work so he said I should see what can be done to a clients house we are currently building.  Just to see if it is possible.
Title: Re: 3D in acad 2002 best way about it?
Post by: Tramber on September 22, 2006, 04:14:48 PM
Some may say I'm old fashion. But renderings can be very good in 2002.
It's a lot of sweat, I agree but it is also a question of organisation.

Let us not forget that we are talking about the old 3DS Max rendering engine, implanted in Acad at the time. Not easy, but powerfull. You probably won't love the mapping utilities if you are not patient.

Write to me if you need help.
Title: Re: 3D in acad 2002 best way about it?
Post by: rktect3j on September 22, 2006, 04:22:00 PM
This is what I am working with.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v507/rktect3j/SP32-20060825-072223.jpg)



(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v507/rktect3j/SP32-20060825-071623-1.jpg)
Title: Re: 3D in acad 2002 best way about it?
Post by: Cavediver on September 22, 2006, 04:58:02 PM
Well I do custom residential work.  I have been playing around today with 3d and I am getting pretty scared.  I am using surface technique.  I have walls in place, finally.  Moving up to the fascia and realized that there is a crown up there.  I have no idea how to make this crown work.  Complex shape right?
Well, yes and no.  if you've got straight crown, it's not difficult.  Draw the profile using 2d polylines.  Make sure the entire profile is a closed entity.  type ext (for extrude) and hit enter.  type in a length and a taper, hit enter.

If your crown has dentil (sp?) detail , create 3d solids the size and shape of the negative spaces, then subtract them from the original crown.

For custom residential, I would think there are very few shapes you cannot make with 3d solid operations.  Adding and welding (union command) shapes together, slicing along planes, extruding closed polylines.

As I said, I don't mess with surfacing too often.  Most of my work is done with 3d solids.  I really don't know the pros and cons of surface vs solid.


My boss doesn't want to spend any money on new programs.  Right now I have no work so he said I should see what can be done to a clients house we are currently building.  Just to see if it is possible.

Good thing about accurender, $400.  Not a bad price for the package.  Higher end stuff can run well into the thousands...  However, you'll want to tackle 3d before you get into renderings.

IMO, one of the biggest challenges for first time 3d folks is the navigation of 3D space.  Keeping things on the proper planes, moving them in the proper directions, etc.  It's really not that hard to do the basics though.  Keep working with it!
Title: Re: 3D in acad 2002 best way about it?
Post by: chance on September 25, 2006, 09:36:14 AM
Archicad is good package to start with....your drawing in 2d, but really placing 3d objects....and you can slowly work your way into 3d.  Should that package be too expensive...take a look at Chief Architect, pretty much the same...but geared toward residential....they are easy and not scary

Links:
Archicad
http://www.graphisoft.com/

Chief Archictect
http://www.chiefarchitect.com/
Title: Re: 3D in acad 2002 best way about it?
Post by: rktect3j on September 25, 2006, 09:54:03 AM
Well I do custom residential work.  I have been playing around today with 3d and I am getting pretty scared.  I am using surface technique.  I have walls in place, finally.  Moving up to the fascia and realized that there is a crown up there.  I have no idea how to make this crown work.  Complex shape right?
Well, yes and no.  if you've got straight crown, it's not difficult.  Draw the profile using 2d polylines.  Make sure the entire profile is a closed entity.  type ext (for extrude) and hit enter.  type in a length and a taper, hit enter.

If your crown has dentil (sp?) detail , create 3d solids the size and shape of the negative spaces, then subtract them from the original crown.

For custom residential, I would think there are very few shapes you cannot make with 3d solid operations.  Adding and welding (union command) shapes together, slicing along planes, extruding closed polylines.

As I said, I don't mess with surfacing too often.  Most of my work is done with 3d solids.  I really don't know the pros and cons of surface vs solid.


My boss doesn't want to spend any money on new programs.  Right now I have no work so he said I should see what can be done to a clients house we are currently building.  Just to see if it is possible.

Good thing about accurender, $400.  Not a bad price for the package.  Higher end stuff can run well into the thousands...  However, you'll want to tackle 3d before you get into renderings.

IMO, one of the biggest challenges for first time 3d folks is the navigation of 3D space.  Keeping things on the proper planes, moving them in the proper directions, etc.  It's really not that hard to do the basics though.  Keep working with it!

Just got done putting my roof on and I am ready to start that crown.  I will try your advice with the extrude command.  Thanks for the input.
Title: Re: 3D in acad 2002 best way about it?
Post by: David Hall on September 25, 2006, 10:04:23 AM
Crown molding is easy.  Draw the profile with a closed polygon, and extrude the distance you need, and place in corner.
Title: Re: 3D in acad 2002 best way about it?
Post by: rktect3j on September 25, 2006, 10:20:35 AM
Crown molding is easy.  Draw the profile with a closed polygon, and extrude the distance you need, and place in corner.

Having a problem with making the ends meet.  The crown needs to be mitered somehow at the exterior corner.  None of the commands I have seem to want to trim it.  I can't subtrat either unless I make each and every shape. 
Title: Re: 3D in acad 2002 best way about it?
Post by: David Hall on September 25, 2006, 10:24:39 AM
draw the molding longer than you need it. like 12" too long, place where it goes, and from a plan view, draw a line from the corner out 45 degrees.  Then use slice command and choose the molding, pick your points on the 45 degree line, and choose which side to keep. (I always choose both, just in case)  repeat for next wall, and your moldings should match up perfectly
Title: Re: 3D in acad 2002 best way about it?
Post by: David Hall on September 25, 2006, 10:27:03 AM
in 02, you may have to define your cutting plane w/ 3 points.  Pick first point on 45 line, pick other endpoint, and type @0,0,1
Whcih would be 1 inch above first point.  that should define the plane for you
Title: Re: 3D in acad 2002 best way about it?
Post by: rktect3j on September 25, 2006, 11:01:00 AM
in 02, you may have to define your cutting plane w/ 3 points.  Pick first point on 45 line, pick other endpoint, and type @0,0,1
Whcih would be 1 inch above first point.  that should define the plane for you
It finally worked.  Thanks.  I kept slicing off the wrong end.  The third point kept throwing me off I think.  I'll try the 0,0,1  Thanks
Title: Re: 3D in acad 2002 best way about it?
Post by: David Hall on September 25, 2006, 06:26:08 PM
dont forget the "@" to go with your 0,0,1