ACAD Arch. or Revit Arch to use with 3DS MAX?

[Stephan.Bouchard]

I am trying to figure out whether I should go with Autocad Architecture 2008 or Revit Architecture 2008 to re-create buildings (mostly house floor plans) to then export for rendering in 3DS MAX for visualization.

Between these two tools, which would be the most flexible in terms of design / re-creation of the floor plans? Although one tool may be more flexible, how about the learning curve? I have some experience with AutoCAD but not enough where learning a new tool would be bad.

How do these two products handle cabinets and custom stairs? I will need to create a library of custom cabinets (doors and drawers styles). Can both these tools enable me to do that fairly easily?

and lastly, which one plays better (so to speak) with 3DS MAX?

(I presume there are posts about this around somewhere but thus far I haven't been able to find them. If these questions have been answered before, could you please point me to those threads :)

Thanks

[Andre Baros]

I can only speak of the Revit side. I worked for years with an AutoCAD to Max workflow, then switched for the last few years to a Revit to Max workflow and love it. I've found Revit to be a dream for most modeling tasks and really only a challenge for organic forms. If you search in the Revit forums and Revit Gallery you'll see lots of additional information. I've also posted several examples of Revit+Max work in the gallery which might help you.

[mohamed.siraj]

Hello
I am am working with ADT and MAX work flow. NOw i am exploring the the strengths of parametric modelling and data base capabilities of Revit Arch.
I have attended Autodesk Open Door Event for Revit Arch. The trainer was of the opinion that AoutoCAD Architecture adn Revit Arch in combination is the best for architectural practice and 3D max for visualisation. Is it advisible to completely replace ACAD Arch with Revit? What is your opinion Andre?

[Andre Baros]

We have completely switched from AutoCAD to Revit. It took us a few years to get everyone over but as of this year we no longer install AutoCAD on new machines and everyone is using Revit. We have not found any limitations in our practice. Yes, there are "work arounds" to accomplish some things, but they're possibile. If you're using ADT plus Max only for visualiztion than you'll find that Revit creates more faces, since it doesn't allow zero thickness objects, but I don't really notice a major performance hit in Max. You'll find a few threads here that talk about how to clean up and streamline the link to Max.

Personally, some of the biggests reason for me to only use Revit include the history of edited objects, when you're modeling complex forms, you keep a history of all the solids and voids you use. Then the curtain wall tool, very versitile and powerful. And then the very simple cleanup of walls and floors... you can join them to get clean edges on export but they're still seperate elements.

Once you switch, you can't go back.

[gurudas.ku]

I am not completly agree a combination of Revit and max , I am sure Revit is strong modeling tool But the work flow with max is comparitable with ACAD Architecture

[comical_wenger]

so do you need to use one of these two programs to create models in max design? is autocad arch only for 2d plans or making mock ups in 3d?

[stusic]

so do you need to use one of these two programs to create models in max design? is autocad arch only for 2d plans or making mock ups in 3d?

You don't need either to create models in Max, it's just easier to create construction documents from ADT or Revit. The question is how well does the model import into Max.

Personally, I couldn't care less if the imported model comes in with exponentially more faces than it needs, as long as it comes in with the geometry intact. You can optimize your model once you bring it in.

My $.02

[info.159673]

I've used Autocad, adt and now revit to import archictectural models into Max. Revit is by far the best solution so far.

Adt was better than solid modling in Autocad, but it was buggy and got slow on larger files.

Max is great for modeling amorphic shapes, but revit is superior for architectural elements.

I haven't noticed any more faces than autocad created.

[mbeham]

I have a question about Revit to Max. Currently when I bring in a Revit model everything works well and looks great. When i try to animate a door it rotates the whole frame and all. What is the best way to do this? I tried making the Revit door a nested family where the panel is separate but both in the same family. That doesnt seem to work. I can do a detach the panel from the frame in max but then i might to pick all faces. Any suggestions?

[stusic]

I have a question about Revit to Max. Currently when I bring in a Revit model everything works well and looks great. When i try to animate a door it rotates the whole frame and all. What is the best way to do this? I tried making the Revit door a nested family where the panel is separate but both in the same family. That doesnt seem to work. I can do a detach the panel from the frame in max but then i might to pick all faces. Any suggestions?

It may be that 3ds imports these assemblies as groups. With the door assembly selected, go to the Groups drop-down and select "Open". This should allow you to manipulate the door by itself.

If this doesn't work, let us know and we can try something else.

[mbeham]

Thank you for the quick response. I just checked and when I select the door and go into the group drop down the open is grayed out. The only things i can do in it are Group, Attach, or assemble. I have attached a sample wall and door so that you can test it. Thank you again for getting back to me.

[dellis]

Are the doors in Revit parametric like they are in MAX? I'm wondering if you can even open the doors in Revit...they might be a single mesh!

[mbeham]

The doors in Revit are not a single mesh. When they come into max they may very well be. That is what im trying to find out. If there is a way to separate them so that you can animate just the panel. when you select the door you get the frame and panel in max.

[stusic]

When you select the door (and the frame), look at your Modifier Panel. Does it simply say "Editable Mesh"?

If so, expand the Editable Mesh (the "+" sign) to get into Sub-Object Mode. Select "Element", then select your door again (it'll turn red). Once you've done this, scroll down and click the button that says "Detach" under Edit Geometry. This will separate the door from the rest of the objects. You may need to select multiple parts of the door to get the whole thing (don't forget about the bottom and backside!).

Once you've separated the door, you'll need to move the pivot point so the door rotates along it's hinge's axis, rather than from the middle. To do this, select your door and go to the Hierarchy Panel. Under Adjust Pivot, select "Affect Pivot Only", then move the pivot to the center of the hinge axis. Don't forget to un-click "Affect Pivot Only". Now when you rotate your door, it swings open as it's supposed to.

HTH!

[mbeham]

I discovered that if you export out of revit as a dwg instead of fbx although you lose your 1 camera and the daylight system (that i have to recreate anyway) it brings over the pieces and parts much better when solids is selected. Then it will separate the door into the panel and the frame for easy animation. I did find materials are not as good in the dwg export but they are workable.