SketchUp -> Revit -> 3dsMAX
I find sketchup a great tool for the early stages of projects when the geometry, entourage and camera views often change and you need to produce basic images quickly for client approval.
This interior room was modelled in SketchUp and exported as a *dwg. I then file-linked this *dwg into 3dsMAX, setup a simple light rig and the first image from start to finish took 4minutes. I then rendered off several more camera views (the images below with no background photo) this took approx 10min in total.
These where then forwarded to the client, he choose the view he liked I then dropped the background photo in photoshop and the final composition was approved, this entire process took 30min.
I then “cleaned up” this sketchup geometry, started building materials and placing entourage in 3dsMAX, liaising with the client and interior designers the first renders with resolved geometry and basic materials took an additional six hours.
A few more adjustments to the geometry and materials and the final render shown was complete.
So there are a lot of tools and techniques available to you, SketchUp is a fantastic application to quickly design spaces. Used in conjunction with 3dsMAX or other plugins (i.e. you can purchase a Vray plugin to render directly from SketchUp) you have everything you need.
If you are able to finalise the geometry, materiality and furnishings at the start of a project you should be able to complete a very high quality render in less than a day.
Dan- It’s good to see streamline integration or programs to compliment Sketchup. I’ve been using it for year now, but only experimentally. Now that I’ve been designing over 45,000 ft. of my companies showrooms, I’ve been able to justify the value of the program (though open source and “free”). The fact that its so quick to use and render basic ideas has made my efficiantcy much better. Now, looking at your final renderings based of the S.U. models, I can’t wait to start rendering more realistic versions of my work. Keep up the good work.
Misha
Hi Kelvin,
This page explains a process that I use, combining sketchup geometry and Vray within 3dsMAX.
I am also a fan of sketchup but as we have mutliple 3dsMAX/Vray licenses and are comfortable with these applications I have not extensively tested the Vray plugin for sketchup. The sketchup plugin is also comparatively quite pricey…
- Dan.
Hi, I was just browsing through the net, and I saw you comparing the 3d max and the sketchup vray, what setting did you used in order to make both the effect almost the same? I’m a sketchup believer and a big fan, but apparently it seems that 3d max have the cutting edge still as it’s has more control in color and lightings.