Week 3 / Precedent Study - Virtual Modeling

As precedent study, I have done some research about all architectural software (and plugin) that I have learned in Architectural Computing courses till now. For each software (or plugin), I've collected some export explanation from the official website, and also wrote down some comments based on my previous experience.

Virtual Modeling

- Autodesk AutoCAD

AutoCAD is a commercial software application for 2D and 3D computer-aided design (CAD) and drafting. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AutoCAD)

Basically I use AutoCAD for 2D plan drawing. The tool bar and short cut system are very convenience and easy to use. Also, it’s can be use to do laser cutting drawing (RGB color available). Furthermore, all work could be save in different format or export as PDF directly.

In my project, I’m going to use AutoCAD for 2D floor plan and laser cutting drawing for physical model.

- Autodesk 3Ds MAX

Autodesk 3ds Max, formerly 3D Studio Max, is a professional 3D computer graphics program for making 3D animations, models, games and images. Video game developers, many TV commercial studios and architectural visualization studios frequently use it. It is also used for movie effects and movie pre-visualization. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3ds_Max)

Most of the time, I use 3Ds MAX for detailed rendering, especially for interior rendering. The use of plugin like V-Ray makes it preferable to conventional renderers that are provided standard with 3Ds MAX, and generally renders using the technique can appear more photo-realistic, as actual lighting effects are more realistically emulated for interior render.

Considering my project is not to show the interior of the building, I’m not going to use 3Ds MAX this time.

- Autodesk Revit

This software works in ways that can that architects and designer needs. By doing so, this can make it easier for designers to make high quality designs that are accurate. This design software also support the building information modeling workflows which means that you can also get and analyse each concept, meet all your goals throughout the design, documentation and the overall construction of the project. (http://www.vagueware.com/top-10-architectural-design-software-for-budding-architects/)

I could have stander quality rendering in Revit without render engine. Also, I could easily get the floor plan and section drawing when the building finished in 3D view. So I would use Revit to finish my graduation project.

-BuildAR

BuildAR Pro is a program that allows you to create your own 3D augmented reality scenes. Augmented Reality (AR) is a technology that lets you interact with the real world and virtual objects at the same time. Three-dimensional virtual models are overlaid on the real world as seen through your computer’s webcam, making them appear to part of your surrounding environment. (http://www.buildar.co.nz/home/what-is-buildar/)

In my project, I'm going to use BuildAR to show different parts of the building in detailed.

- Graphisoft ArchiCAD

This is an all-in-one software that you can use in 2D and 3D projects. First time designers and architecture students can also use it. It is user friendly that first time designers and architects can easily maximize the software’s potentials.

Both ArchiCAD and Revit are proven tools to produce high quality parametric objects with BIM that are assembled in a single database file. Most features are available in both programs and both seem relatively easy to use. But ArchiCAD is more efficiency tool for teamwork because the modeling file could be shared among all members with Internet in ArchiCAD. (http://bimequity.com/en/cases/engineers-contractors/revit-vs-archicad/)

For the graduation project, I will finish the project by myself so that I prefer to use Revit.

- Google SketchUp

This software allows the user to quickly and easily makes 3D building designs. Though the features that it has may be as sophisticated as you can find in other software. This software is a great deal for students that are looking for software that can generate 3 dimensional designs in short amount of time and for people is just starting on their architectural careers. (http://www.vagueware.com/top-10-architectural-design-software-for-budding-architects/)

By using plugin such as V-Ray or Maxwell, SketchUp could also have high quality and realistic rendering for 3D model. Normally I use SketchUp to do concept model without much detail. So for this time I'm not going to use SktechUp for the project.       

- Rhinoceros 3D CAD (Grasshopper)

Grasshopper is a visual programming language; it runs within the Rhinoceros 3D CAD application. Programs are created by dragging components onto a canvas. The outputs to these components are then connected to the inputs of subsequent components. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grasshopper_3d)

Most of the time, I use Grasshopper as plugin in Rhino to do parametric architecture design, such as media façade, interacting celling. The use of formula control of database is very flexible to create different structure, but not suitable for building without parametric structure. So for this time, I’m not going to choose Rhino.