Posts made by ledisnomad

My bad. I misread your post. Yes, javascript is quite acceptable. That would be a great solution IMO. Thanks for clarifying and I hope you can find it!

Java suffers from the same problem that Flash does: it requires the user to have a browswer plugin. Most people have them, even if they don't know it. However, I always prefer solutions that require next to nothing from the user. I generally only use interactive features on my website if I can make it server-side only. So far, these are all very good solutions, though.

I've been following this discussion because I'd consider doing something similar. However, it would be great if it didn't even require Flash, like the most recent option under consideration. Something that is server-side, like PHP, would be better. I haven't done any web scripting for quite some time, but conceptually it is straight forward. Any PHP scripters out there?

I assume you mean Maya, formerly owned by Alias, currently owned by Autodesk. If so, you can export your SketchUp model as an FBX, OBJ, or DXF and import it into Maya. I don't have Maya currently, so I can't test it. I'd try them in the order I listed them since FBX is Autodesk's prefered file format for interoperability these days. Then OBJ is a nice almost-universal format that should take most of the info from your SU model. DXF is the least robust. Hope that helps.

Thanks for the responses. I'll take a look at those, although I'll have to wait until I'm home... mrcad.com is blocked at work.

No, no word. They wrote back, asked a few questions, then asked for the model. I can't send it to them because we have a confidentiality agreement on the project. So that was the end of that. I haven't seen it recently, but I think I discovered when it happens: I've been getting an error dialog box from VRay occasionally and then my materials get messed up. I think it happens when I have either Adobe Photoshop CS5 and/or Autocad 2007 running. I haven't tried recreating it, though.

@mitcorb: Having used Revit quite a lot, I'd caution you not to dismiss it immediately. Yes, it is window-heavy. Yes, it has it's own jargon. Yes, in many ways it is less flexible than SketchUp when designing what you call "non uniform components." I've now worked in three offices while they started using Revit and I hear the same complaints over and over: too steep a learning curve, isn't a good conceptual design tool, too slow, not flexible enough, and on-and-on.

Designing using a BIM process requires adjusting one's design process. It requires CHANGE and that can be difficult, but I believe it is well worth it. Is Revit the best BIM package out there? Certainly the most popular right now. Is it the best design package out there? Not necessarily, but it is very powerful and can be a huge asset to any (yes, ANY) project.

I use SketchUp a lot. I use Rhino a lot. I use Revit a lot. I still do freehand sketches and physical models, too. Should we get rid of those because of SketchUp or another 3D modeling software? So far, I still haven't found a silver bullet for my design process. As far as I can tell (and what I subscribe to) is that architecture students are coming out of grad school knowing many pieces of software. More importantly, they are learning the conceptual basis for different types of software: mesh modelers, NURBS modelers, solid modelers, biased and unbiased rendering engines, BIM software, parametric software, etc.Yes, we all get comfortable using one or a few particular software packages, but personally, I strive to understand what underlying techniques work best. Then I can quickly learn new software if I have to.

The only constant in the world is change. (Sorry for the rant.)

On a machine like that, how long did each of these renderings take?

I really like the feeling of the rendering. Nice! I have three comments: it might help to see something out the window, even if this is a night shot, it will give it more depth; I'm not sure that the plaid material on the armchairs fit the scene and style; the floor and wall texture has a really obvious seam when it repeats, that I find distracting. Great job, overall!

This is a very helpful list. If I could, I think I'd buy VRay, Vue, Maxwell, and Lumion so I would have speed, natural landscapes, unbiased realism, and animations respectively. But I can't afford all that.

There's always a lot of debate over the best renderer for a certain set of critera. Would it be possible and desired to create a robust spreadsheet of these renderers to compare their features, benefits, and best uses? I've started a very simple one and will attach it. What would be the best way to allow people to collaborate on filling in the blanks and adding more information?

SURenderers.xls

@notareal: Duly noted! I have made that correction and re-attached it.

Thanks, I guess I'll have to experiment a little more.

Alan, I always get an error when I try to bring in components with TIFFs. Are there particular TIFF formats that work and some that don't?

Do you have Vray 1.49.01? If so, in the Vray Material Editor, right-click "Scene Materials" in the Materials List and choose "Sort Materials Alphabetically."

Mistro, were you given a design to work with or are you designing it? The reason I ask is that these renderings look like renderings, they don't convey a new feeling or a spiritual and inviting ambience. As an artistic interpretation, I think it could have softer light and less realism. What do I mean? For example, the fixtures, ceiling fan, drumset, microphone, etc. all jump out as mundane. Why not take artistic license and edit some of this out? I don't know Kerkythea well enough to advise on how to soften shadows, but I'm sure somebody else can help with that. As for the exterior shots, I like the one with the black background, but now with the infinite expanse and sky. Why not try a photo collage and put it in context? Then you can do some Photoshopping and add some beautiful light streaming down or something. I'd like to see where you take this. Keep going.

I don't know about the guides, but the model disappearings sounds like the classic clipping plane phenomenon. If you search "clipping plane" here, you'll find a lot of discussion about it.

Thanks for the response, TIG. Always quick and helpful. I'll see if I can convince IT to install Java and give me appropriate rights. No matter how many sources of 2d and 3d people, trees, furniture, cars, backgrounds, textures, etc, I always seem to need/want to find/make some more...

Well, if you give it a try, I'd like to see the final result!

The render placement in the photograph looks nice. You're right, it's not perfect but it's nicely convincing until you look at it closely.

As for a background sky image, you can place a sky image in Kerkythea, which I think would be the easiest and most accurate way of doing it. If you have trouble doing it, try the Kerkythea forum and some of the getting started documents there. They are very helpful.

To your point about placing people and cars, what I like to do is put them in my SketchUp model all on a separate layer. When I render, I turn off that layer. Then in Photoshop (Gimp would work, too) I open the render and place an export of my SketchUp model (same view, same size) on top so I have a reference for the size and location of people, cars, trees, etc. Then placing photo people is much more accurate and quick.

@unknownuser said:

there are several plugins that will help sketchup become the BIM you want.

I love SketchUp, but being a Revit user, SketchUp can't and shouldn't compete. Each program has its strengths and weaknesses and it makes a lot of sense to me to use more than one. For example, if I want to make curvy things, Rhino (with Grasshopper!) is my go-to and can't be beat. If I'm designing a building and completing a serious set of construction documents, I'm going to use Revit because I want a full BIM package.

IMO, no single software needs to do it all. Granted, I understand not everybody can afford multiples of these expensive software packages, which is when you accept the trade-offs and limitations of whatever you can afford.

Just some thoughts on the subject.