Architectural design and visualization on a Mac?

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Level 1

8 points

Architectural design and visualization on a Mac?

Hello everyone,

My first computer was a Mac and I had many models and have always been an apple fan, but I studied and worked in architecture and was forced to switch to PC because where I lived the standard was Autodesk software. Then I got into architectural visualization and 3D Studio Max was bought by Autodesk as well. I have wanted to switch back to Mac for many years now but I just haven't seen any way of doing it. So my first question is: Is there any software for the Mac that matches autodesk software such as Architecture 2008, Revit and 3D Studio Max?

The second question is: now that you can run Windows XP and Vista on a Mac, could I use software such as 3D Studio Max reliably on a Mac? (I saw on their website a little note that specifically says apple computers running windows are not supported, why not? What happens if you do? http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=5659453__)

And the last question is: does anyone know if Autodesk is planning to ever release their architecture software to work directly on Mac OS?

Thanks to all in advance.

Mac OS X (10.5.2)

Posted on Apr 16, 2008 2:42 PM

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Answer 1

Apr 20, 2008 12:06 PM in response to Estebanm

Hi Esteban

Yes, Revit is a latecomer compared to ArchiCad. I don't know anything about it though.

I'm not sure that I will be able to help you much with the questions about rendering packages. ArchiCad has a reasonably good renderer built in, known as LightWorks. This produces photorenders with ray tracing, soft shadows, reflections and shader editing, and we tend to use this, probably in a very amateurish manner. You can save files in Wavefront, Piranesi, 3D Studio, ElectricImage, U3D and Artlantis formats. We have used Artlantis a little, but I don't know whether you can reference the files for live updates in any of these programs. We haven't used Maya at all. Again, the Graphisoft website might offer advice on these issues.

Roger

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Answer 2

Apr 17, 2008 12:26 PM in response to Estebanm

Hello Estebanm

I am an architect running a medium sized multidisciplinary practice in Cornwall, England. We have a mixed network with the engineers running AutoCad on PC's and the architects running ArchiCad on Macs. ArchiCad is a superb, very powerful building modelling program which uses the idea of a single building model from which you take all your 2D drawings such as plans, sections, elevations details, schedules and so on, but because you model the building, the 3D tools also allow you to produce high quality visualisations, renderings, and movies. ArchiCad was originally written by architects, and is now on version 11 with 12 likely to appear very soon. I have been using it for about 12 years, since version 4, and I have been very happy with it. The idea of the building model is a very intuitive way to work for architects, allows you to demonstrate your design in 3D from the very earliest ideas to clients and planners, and means that your drawings are always up to date and always correlate across plans, sections and elevations. Drawings can be exchanged with AutoCad and other 2D programs using DXF or DWG, and you can also export to a number of rendering programs. It runs on PC's, so you could get a demo version from the Graphisoft website and give it a try on your PC before getting back to a Mac.

I believe that Autodesk did once release a version of Autocad for the Mac, but I would be surprised if they ever did it again. In any case, 2D drawing packages are not the future!

I hope that this helps you to ditch the PC and get a proper computer!

Roger

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Answer 3

Estebanm Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 17, 2008 12:55 PM in response to Roger Green

Hi Roger,

First, of all thanks so much for answering my question. It has been hard to find out this information. I will definitely look into and try out ArchiCad.

Roger Green wrote:
ArchiCad is a superb, very powerful building modelling program which uses the idea of a single building model from which you take all your 2D drawings such as plans, sections, elevations details, schedules and so on, but because you model the building, the 3D tools also allow you to produce high quality visualisations, renderings, and movies. <</div>

By what you tell me, it sounds that ArchiCad has been doing for some time now what Autodesk just recently issued as Building Information Modeling (***) on its Revit software.

Roger Green wrote:
...and you can also export to a number of rendering programs. <</div>

Could you please give more detail about this? Is there any rendering program to which you can create a live reference and update the files after you change them in ArchiCad? Are there any rendering programs that work with rendering engines such as Mental Ray or V Ray?

I just found out that Autodesk makes a version of Maya that runs on OS. Have you tried rendering architectural models with Maya?

Roger Green wrote:
I hope that this helps you to ditch the PC and get a proper computer! <</div>

It is sure a step in the right direction! Thanks again Roger.

If there are any other architects out there working with Macs I would also appreciate your thoughts on the matter.

Esteban

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Answer 4

Estebanm Author

Level 1

8 points

May 6, 2008 11:10 PM in response to Roger Green

Hello again Roger,

I just recently saw your reply, thanks once again. I have been investigating extensively about ArchiCAD since you mentioned it to me and have found out many interesting things about it. In fact, I just found out that you can integrate it quite effectively with Maxon's Cinema 4D to create stunning photorealistic renderings, and there is even a plug-in called Maxon Form which allows you to create organic freeform objects directly in ArchiCAD!

I downloaded the free trial and so far ArchiCAD's interface is easy to use and the virtual building concept works great. I actually just bought a macbook pro and will soon buy my version of ArchiCAD to try it out!

Esteban

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