how to gain the next level ?

In last few days after making visualisations for my project of Cultural Centre I realised how bad I am at making them. I regret, that I still don't use 3ds max, i work like :
autocad -> sketch up -> kerkythea --> then repairing all in photoshop and finally designing the layout in Corel Draw. Sound complicated, but I’m quite sure, that’s not enough. I know I should learn how to use some programs like 3ds max or something similar (but what?).

Me and my friends decided to choose 3ds max. But there comes my question…
We are able to go on course (about 20hours in one weekend, and about 125euro. That’s quite expensive for us…) or buy something like “3ds max. bible” book by K.L. Murdock (that’s also in polish, so it’s easier to understand than English tutorials…)

But I’m not sure which is better? What do you recommend? Next year we’re going to get enginner’s degree and at our enginner’s project we would like to present in appropriate way.

Help us.

Magda, Ilona and Carlos

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Permalink Reply by Iñigo Ortiz Monasterio on March 6, 2011 at 2:33pm

In my opinion, you should pay more attention to design and less to the presentation.
I work all in Autocad 3d models, render included.
From the three-dimensional model I get all the information I need to document(construction plans) and presentations to client.
It is true that renders in 3DMax are much higher, but it is a program almost as complex as autocad. we are too concerned about the presentation ...Or you could take the next level working with:BIM - Building Information Modeling

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Permalink Reply by ® irgeorgellanespecore on March 7, 2011 at 12:56am

I agree! but most of the time, we will not forget our own freehand. I think all creatives believe that a good tool does not make a good architect, and a good architect does not need top of the line special tools. In fact, I’d say all one usually needs is a pencil and a sheet of paper. Mistakes are cheap with a pencil and cost a lot of time on the computer. The marks can be vague enough so one doesn’t judge the execution, but instead judges the potential of the idea.The pencil is general, yet specific. I think an important part of the creative process is play, and for me, it is easier to play in physical space than digital space. And maybe that’s why I prefer the pencil. It forgives me for my mistakes, there’s an eraser there, after all. It accepts me for who I am. I can use it however I wish, and I don’t have to learn any special means to operate it like you might on a computer. There are no rules. And the pencil will always be cheap and available to anyone. It can be use to anyone, young and adult even old ones...PENCIL is forever! :) lol Pls. don't take it too personally, but it's true. Real presentations and renderings needs computer and etc., but i won't forget the pencil. Pencil is always at present anywhere and everywhere. .. I love Pencil! :) XD

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Permalink Reply by Iñigo Ortiz Monasterio on March 7, 2011 at 11:55am

Pencils?, still exists?,... Sorry my dear friend but pencil is overrated

Jajajaja

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Permalink Reply by ® irgeorgellanespecore on March 7, 2011 at 7:42pm

Despite the prevalence of Computers, many older architects and even some structural designers still rely on paper and pencil graphics produced on a drafting table. Drawing by hand was how historic architecture was documented and analyzed, and how incipient design ideas were recorded and explored graphically. For many architects, drawing by hand is both inherently pleasurable and integral to critical design thinking, a way to directly and creatively connect the eye, brain and hand. But today, computers enable architects to do little or no manual drawing, and drawing less by hand may tempt some architects to think less critically.

In architecture offices today, you rarely find a drafting board with a parallel bar, rolls of tracing paper, measuring scales, triangles, drawing templates or boxes of pencils and markers. Instead you see a workstation with a flat-screen monitor, keyboard and mouse. Many designers use computers for drawing everything from diagrams, preliminary design studies, three-dimensional views and construction documents. Produced on large-format printers, drawings can even be made to look like hand-drawn sketches.

Computer-aided-design - CAD and others has transformed architectural design methodology, not because it eliminates manual drawing, but because it allows architects to compose stacks of drawings at every stage of design. Architects can show clients countless design variations, create realistic renderings and graphic simulations, and produce detailed construction documents.

The computer is a powerful tool, but still just a tool that must be used properly. Designers who never draw manually still must engage in critical thinking and rational invention, as if they were drawing and designing by hand, even though their hand grasps a mouse instead of a pencil. Yes, you're right Boss, but pencil is forever! lol XD

Thanks Prof. Iñigo Ortiz Monasterio for the ideas! :)

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Permalink Reply by Iñigo Ortiz Monasterio on March 8, 2011 at 11:59am

Sorry my friend, but I really do not think critical thinking depends on the instrument withwhich you work (be it pen or mouse).
The connection that our generation learned with pencil and critical thinking, newgenerations have it with the mouse of the computer and critical thinking.

If there's no more critical thinking most be for other reasons, probably yes, realted with tecnology.

There was a "generation of the chisel"
There was a "generation of the pencil"
Now is the time to the generation of Magda, the "generation of mouse"

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Permalink Reply by ® irgeorgellanespecore on March 8, 2011 at 8:22pm

I'm still using both... The tracing excercises though,are still useful because they will familiarize your hands,eyes, and mind with the types architecture, voice, and peculiarities. Enough knowledge both in manual and in computers are much better than relying only to computers. Yes you're right, due to new generation tech but pencil and paper is always with us all the time. Architects still do a lot of drawing by hand, hunched over the architect's desk making blueprints. Much of the student's time in studio will be spent this way, and that's because it reflects the real world. Computer models and software are very important, but for getting ones ideas down and communicating them to a team, hand-drawn, accurate blueprints are the way to go. Compasses, rulers, levels, measuring tape, and the all-mighty eraser are also important here! Architects still rely on physical models, built by hand out of simple or advanced materials, to work ideas out and communicate with others. The tools used in making models (woodworking saws, soldering irons, vises, glue, etc.) are included in this. I'm still using both anyways! Thanks :)

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Permalink Reply by Magda Kosmowska on March 9, 2011 at 2:50pm

Ok, I guess that's where I should reply.

I don't want to undermine the importance of pencil in architecture ;) I use it always when creating new object, it's the easiest way to create new ideas, the quicker one for sure. But after that 'creating part' I want to make some renderings at the end - believe me - when I look at some works that are hanging in my University I'm really impressed, how great look some 'mouse' made visualisations. I recently done project of Culture Center that was for the student competition. And at the end I felt quite disappointed because I felt like the potential of my work was not fully presented because of weak visualisations... That's why I want to improve my skills, not because I not believe in pencils, but because pencil sometimes is not enough, or is -if not having talent in drawing - not the most spectacular to present projects.

I understand, that kind of presentation is not always obligatory when talking to a specific client, but I was thinking about competitions, where everything counts

:)

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Permalink Reply by ® irgeorgellanespecore on March 9, 2011 at 10:44pm

Yes you're right! We can also draw realistic renderings by hand but it's a waste of time. For me again, pencil and Computers are partners of the crime. (Architectural renderings with logical plan function nor realistic is enough for me, but presentations is good to make your mark) I agree with you though... Thanks for all the possitive commentary. Sometimes the simplest of ideas can make a BIG difference - Hi we're human! ♥ :) XD

Permalink Reply by Magda Kosmowska on March 12, 2011 at 9:11am

My dear friends... What a funny situation happened.

We were discussing problem of pencils and technology, and I have a fusion of that two methods. But getting to the point...
On thursday I had competion results (student edition of competion for Culture Centre in Chojnice, there was also professional edition, our works were a chance to us, to compare our knowledge in more or less professional rules. We were judged by the same Competition Jury)

There were two first prizes and two ditinction prizes.

Me and Carlos got one of the first prizes :) As we knew it was not a big contest we thought there won't be any big awards - at least we did not expect such. What was the suprise when we got a4 size, packed in gold paper awards. Inside was not a ream of a4 paper, as we joked with other students, but graphic tablet :)
So...

I have a new pencil... and endless sheet of paper ;)

article (in polish) about competition