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Post by GhostFist on Feb 28, 2014 14:26:56 GMT -5
What programs are you using for rendering? Dietrich software has been mentioned to me. It was originally designed for timberframe construction, though stick framing can also be done on it. It even has plug ins for Mafell tools. Anyone have experience with this or other software?
Here's a video introducing some features of Dietrich.
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Post by garch on Feb 28, 2014 21:51:26 GMT -5
You're right. Dietrich is for timber framing mostly. MiTek develops software for dimensional lumber truss plants, they as well manufacture the connectors, sure you've heard of USP and simpson connectors. My structural engineer uses Bentley software. I have the Autodesk building design suite ultimate subscription. Check out the link to see what programs are included. Check out the price while there.  www.autodesk.com/suites/building-design-suite/included-softwareRendering is a whole different ball game than 3d modeling. But before you can render you need to create a model. We use a multitude of software programs at my firm for different tasks. 3d studio max is one of he most powerful programs but takes many years to become proficient. I've personally been using autocad, 3ds max and other similar software, on a daily basis, for over 20 years and still find myself learning new things. A lot of movie special effects are created with 3ds max as I understand. A very cool program! If you're looking for a program to pick up and start using I highly suggest sticking with sketchup and forget about the rest. Unless you have time (years)and money (thousands)to burn. |
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Post by jalvis on Mar 1, 2014 11:26:39 GMT -5
Thanks for your professional advice. I've often wondered if I should tackle other programs other then sketchup. Computer software is tough for me to learn. I just don't think like a programmer.
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Post by GhostFist on Mar 1, 2014 12:24:45 GMT -5
To be honest, sketchup does most of what I need, FOR NOW. Learning other programs can never hurt. I have no idea what my future holds as far as career, I do tend to get restless and like learning something new
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Post by garch on Mar 3, 2014 21:30:05 GMT -5
To be honest, sketchup does most of what I need, FOR NOW. Learning other programs can never hurt. I have no idea what my future holds as far as career, I do tend to get restless and like learning something new If you wish to expand your skill set try autocad, 3ds max, or inventor. Look at the capabilities of each and the industries they are geared towards. None are cheap to invest in. You may wish to try autocad lt which is only 2d and should be reasonably priced. My workflow typically starts in autocad because it's precise and powerful for my architectural use. Then 3ds max is used for lighting and rendering and animations to get the client on board and to review options. Sometimes inventor is used, this is more of a fabrication suited program. We also use Revit for projects which will benefit from BIM. If anyone has questions about these programs, feel free to ask |
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Post by GhostFist on Mar 3, 2014 22:02:01 GMT -5
I think I'll start with auto cad. Seems to be foundation for a lot of other programs.
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Post by garch on Mar 7, 2014 21:57:16 GMT -5
Not sure if you guys subscribe to furniture & cabinetmaking, but starting in the December 2013 issue Paul Mayon begins a discussion on using cad software as a design tool. Pretty interesting. Not sure for how many issues it ran. Thought you all may be interested.
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Post by GhostFist on Mar 7, 2014 22:19:49 GMT -5
I should go back through those issues. ..
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Post by garch on Mar 22, 2014 12:26:27 GMT -5
This is an example of a conceptual timber frame I whipped up some time ago strictly in Autocad. About 30 minutes of actual work. May give you an idea of Autocad's capabilities. I'll have to find more examples.  |
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Post by ohan on Aug 8, 2014 5:40:10 GMT -5
Garch, curious - do you use Revit Structure at all? What about MEP?
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Post by garch on Aug 19, 2014 20:32:00 GMT -5
Garch, curious - do you use Revit Structure at all? What about MEP? I believe in 2014 revit architecture, structure and mep was combined. So I do have structure and mep; however, I leave that scope of work up to my consultants. |
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Post by ohan on Aug 20, 2014 2:51:10 GMT -5
Garch, curious - do you use Revit Structure at all? What about MEP? I believe in 2014 revit architecture, structure and mep was combined. So I do have structure and mep; however, I leave that scope of work up to my consultants. Ha! Shows you how much I'm following developments! So, you're doing timberframing by modeling components in AutoCAD and rendering in MAX? Do you produce construction documents from these models, or are they simply for visualization? Have you thought about SolidWorks or Inventor? Just curious; I would think assembly mates and fits would be interesting tools for house builders. |
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Post by garch on Aug 20, 2014 6:41:08 GMT -5
I believe in 2014 revit architecture, structure and mep was combined. So I do have structure and mep; however, I leave that scope of work up to my consultants. Ha! Shows you how much I'm following developments! So, you're doing timberframing by modeling components in AutoCAD and rendering in MAX? Do you produce construction documents from these models, or are they simply for visualization? Have you thought about SolidWorks or Inventor? Just curious; I would think assembly mates and fits would be interesting tools for house builders. I do produce cd's from the 3d acad model; however, most of the timber projects I design are fabricated by my father's business and are not going out for bid. So...typically I forward the 3d connection acad models to the steel fabricator for laser cutting, welding, galvanizing and painting; and I print full size templates of the various timber joints/connections for dad's guys to use. They can also access the 3d model during fabrication to verify measurements, visualize the design, etc. It's great to see the level of accuracy obtained when going about fabrication this way. I use max for visualization and to model complex portions of the project. I don't care for solidworks and I do have and sometimes use inventor. I'm much quicker in autocad so that has been my go to program. |
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Post by woodguru on Oct 13, 2014 15:59:12 GMT -5
I have been using sketchup on and off for a few years, it now seems to be owned by Trimble, versions after sketchup 8 seem to have many tools locked out, unless you buy the license, and I have found that if I convert an old drawing to the newer versions, I'm unable to edit etc. I intend to do an autocad course at college, I spoke to the lecturer and he suggested I try a free version before I start the course, I played around with it for a while, but found it so laboured I gave up, sketchup seems more intuitive, and there is so much useful information online, I even managed to design a spiral staircase on it! On the down side, the materials on sketchup are terrible.
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Post by ohan on Oct 14, 2014 15:01:41 GMT -5
AutoCAD is pretty clunky. But it does what it was designed to do - make 2D construction documents - pretty well. As the world changed and went 3D/BIM, it got pretty much left behind, though I can do most everything I need to in both 2D and 3D with it because I know how it works. For me, Sketchup is the clunky one, but it's only because I've been used to working in solids for so long. I can see how for someone new to CAD it can be more intuitive. And I agree, the materials in SketchUp can be distracting. There are several bloggers that use SketchUp renders to illustrate their posts and it would be much more helpful if they didn't use materials! Oh well.
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