SketchUp into MAX
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I know this topic has probably been discuss a few thousand times, but I want to start this thread regarding specifically importing SKP into MAX and using Vray for rendering. There is a lot of chatter on other rendering forum sites that pro viz guys say that SU bascially sucks and shouldn't be used at all for modeling. I disagree, very much, and I wanted to know what people thought about the workflow from SU to 3D Studio.
I am currently using Vray for SketchUp and it's a fantastic toolset, but I feel like I am missing out on a lot of resources (64 bit environment, proxies, faster rendering times) by not heading into 3D Studio to perform the rendering. Can you guys share your experiences, good and bad, so that I can pull the trigger on this?
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I don't see why you could not model in Sketchup and then render in Vray for 3DS max... Since max 2011 the program imports directly sketchup models, so I see no problems there.
What could be an issue is that Sketchup Models lack the face "subdivision" which is common for 3ds max solids, so tools like meshsmooth, bend, turbosmooth and other things will not work properly on an imported model!
My experience tells me that whoever says Sketchup isn't good for building 3D, basically doesn't know how to use the program well (often ignoring basic things like groups, components, layers and sun system) so advises against it. In some other cases they say that Sketchup is not good for organic modeling (and this is partly true, even if new plugins like artisan are changing the picture quite a bit).
I use Sketchup and 3Ds Max for archviz, and I see every day that the two programs are basically on the same level for architectural modeling. What Sketchup lacks is the ability to cope with heavy models (like trees, plants and the like), and that's why I put those in the model once I import it in 3DS.
Another tip I can offer is this: turn on shadows in the model in sketchup before exporting. When you import, accept to import the sun system: in this way you have the sunlight in the right position (day and hour), so when you put a vray sun in the scene you can simply align it to the imported sun system
Let me know what you think about what I wrote
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@broomstick said:
What could be an issue is that Sketchup Models lack the face "subdivision" which is common for 3ds max solids, so tools like meshsmooth, bend, turbosmooth and other things will not work properly on an imported model!
I'm assuming you mean SU models are made up of n-gons. This is easily overcome by using the cut tool that comes with Artisan to make your meshes all quads.
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@unknownuser said:
@broomstick said:
What could be an issue is that Sketchup Models lack the face "subdivision" which is common for 3ds max solids, so tools like meshsmooth, bend, turbosmooth and other things will not work properly on an imported model!
I'm assuming you mean SU models are made up of n-gons. This is easily overcome by using the cut tool that comes with Artisan to make your meshes all quads.
I'm talking about topology, I don't think 3ds max recognizes loops and rings in the imported 3D (but I have to check!). It is true I read about a re-topologize thingy in the new Max 2011
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