"Architect" programs?

Seeks

Back when I was a kid, I had this class where one of our assignments was to design a Mars station. By this I mean we'd use a program that had some kind of graph-papery background, and we'd lay down pre-measured (I think we had to type in measurements) units and lines, representing walls, doors, chairs, etc. etc. By doing this we'd design the living quarters, rec rooms, "greenhouse," what have you.

So I guess my question is this... what programs would let me do something like this nowadays? It doesn't have to be 3d or anything, though I guess that wouldn't hurt either. Something free is preferable.

I really have no idea where to start with this.

Jelloblimp

In school we use programs from Autodesk and boy are they expensive. Never heard of a free alternative, I guess you could use googles own (free) 3d-program to model stuff.

ArcSyn

There are a bunch of 3D (with 2D blueprint style capabilities as well) architect programs out there. I think Broderbund is the main source of them. While I can't think of any out there for free, you can usually find an old version being clearanced in stores like Staples/WalMart for less than $10. One name that comes to mind is 3D Home Architect from back when I worked at Staples.

Andrew Ryan

Download a copy of Google Sketchup.

It's a free and easy to use program that'll let you make quick and easy 3d architectural designs.

Seeks

Hmm... thanks for the suggestions.

Lost

you could try CadStd, never tried it myself, but I hear it is free.

http://www.cadstd.com/

Barcardi

From my experience: for massing the simple way to go is sketchup. The free version is a great program.
Just google it to download it.

If you really want to get into the dimensions and planning of it try Revit 2009.

If you want to get abstract try Rhino or 3D Studio Max (warning, takes years to learn how to use)

All of these can be gotten for free as student versions at:
http://students.autodesk.com/

You just need a still working .edu address for a free 1 year licence.


edit: if you have the space on your computer and are just doing floorplans/elevations, go with revit. The basic stuff such as doors and windows, etc, is super easy.

aunsoph

If you're going to take the dive into free 3D, I'm going to suggest Blender...

If you do the tutorials and look up some documentation, you should be able to learn the basics pretty fast.

KupotheAvenger

<--- Architect! Yay I can contribute.

At my office we use Autocadd, which is like, the staple of the industry. However we've been using Revit too, which lets you figure out the building in 3d as you draft it.

As far as concept and renderers, I use 3DSmax, but Sketchup is really easy to use too, and super simple to learn. And free. I'd go with that.

Some offices use Form Z, which is like...terrible. Its more of something to cripple you if you end up using it. If you're going to go into rendering programs you want to use quite a few. As I said, Sketchup is good, as it can be sent over to other rendering programs for nice finished renders (3dsmax, maya, etc). Hope that helps.

Barcardi

kupo what render do you use?

just revit render w mentalray / 3dmax mentalray?
or vray?

(not architect yet, in thesis year for grad + 2.5 years of that shit idp)

its funny that you mention the formz disaster... half my school is all about that and dear god is it crap

KupotheAvenger

Barcardi wrote: »

kupo what render do you use?

just revit render w mentalray / 3dmax mentalray?
or vray?

(not architect yet, in thesis year for grad + 2.5 years of that shit idp)

its funny that you mention the formz disaster... half my school is all about that and dear god is it crap

I'm a 3dsmax -> vray whore through and through. I only use it nowadays for freelance renders, as most of the stuff I produce as of late doesn't need that much lighting studies (high end restaurants and retail shops). When I worked on much larger projects (hospitality/schools) I used revit w/ mentalray as it was already there and it was more work doing the vray calcs in 3ds.

nlawalker

Microsoft bought Caligari and made TrueSpace free. It's fun to play with, but it's been a while since I've used it. I'm not sure if it gives you the interface you are looking for, but it is a very polished, professional piece of software.

http://www.caligari.com/Products/trueSpace/tS75/brochure/intro.asp

Barcardi

KupotheAvenger wrote: »

Barcardi wrote: »

kupo what render do you use?

just revit render w mentalray / 3dmax mentalray?
or vray?

(not architect yet, in thesis year for grad + 2.5 years of that shit idp)

its funny that you mention the formz disaster... half my school is all about that and dear god is it crap

I'm a 3dsmax -> vray whore through and through. I only use it nowadays for freelance renders, as most of the stuff I produce as of late doesn't need that much lighting studies (high end restaurants and retail shops). When I worked on much larger projects (hospitality/schools) I used revit w/ mentalray as it was already there and it was more work doing the vray calcs in 3ds.

awesome, i am in love with vray even though i kinda suck at it and i am off learning it. Do you know of any good tutorials? I have to ask (if its a forum "safe" question i guess, if not dont bother): is your version legit?

I have to ask because in school nothing is legit except my horded copy of 3d max, revit, and max design... all from work or student copies thankfully. But damn, those things are expensive and i have yet to understand why. I would feel vindicated if i had good reason to be legit with vray because its such a wonderful program, but as a student + revit monkey it dosnt seem to have a point for me yet.

Also if you said you used sketchup professionally i would break your kneecaps.

ocious

I use SketchUp professionally.

Barcardi

ok, i apologize for that comment, but it still irritates me

KupotheAvenger

I do too actually. We use it for our design sheretts (i never spell that right), and oftentimes, I use that as the guidelines for the much more detailed max model. All these programs are brushes really, you just need to pick your favorite and create. For me, sketchup is a godsend for quick models, but I've actually done some decent stuff in a presentation format with it as well. I used to hate on it too, but it grew on me when my gfx computer died and I only had the office lappy for renders.

And yes, my 3dsmax is legit. It wasn't in college though. But that was college. I'm lucky enough to score employers that pick up software according to the talent in the office, so playing on a legit copy in the working work isn't as hard as it appears in college. They're expensive for the help desk really. I'm amazed at how I got the program working when it wasn't legit. As far as tutorials, that's another reason for legit. They have amazing tutorials built into the program.

Barcardi

k ill coincide but my eyes are still narrowed. regardless its nice to know some other arch people are on here, i thought the closest thing on here was the mass of game designers.

KupotheAvenger

Barcardi wrote: »

k ill coincide but my eyes are still narrowed. regardless its nice to know some other arch people are on here, i thought the closest thing on here was the mass of game designers.

Lol. I'm an architect by day and a video game dev by night, to clarify.

Barcardi

well then you are also a crazy person :P

KupotheAvenger

Barcardi wrote: »

well then you are also a crazy person :P

Touche sir. Mind if I ask what your thesis is?

Barcardi

in a nutshell: creating a "new" typology of a library by updating and adapting the structure itself into todays (and tomorrows) technology. The overall idea is that yes ok people dont read books as often as they do other forms of media in todays age. So you provide both new tech and the old stacks, but designed and arranged in a way that provides interest and access to both, so that people that come to use the public information systems would in turn start inherently browsing the books.

The basic setup is a focus on trajectories/views through the building, digital signage, noise and lighting cues, as well as the psychology of what attracts people to public spaces / how design can help or hurt concentration.

Currently though we are just in the research phase. Ill probably end up posting some form of my boards/renderings/model in AC whenever i finish this madness (if it dosnt suck)

KupotheAvenger

Barcardi wrote: »

in a nutshell: creating a "new" typology of a library by updating and adapting the structure itself into todays (and tomorrows) technology. The overall idea is that yes ok people dont read books as often as they do other forms of media in todays age. So you provide both new tech and the old stacks, but designed and arranged in a way that provides interest and access to both, so that people that come to use the public information systems would in turn start inherently browsing the books.

The basic setup is a focus on trajectories/views through the building, digital signage, noise and lighting cues, as well as the psychology of what attracts people to public spaces / how design can help or hurt concentration.

Currently though we are just in the research phase. Ill probably end up posting some form of my boards/renderings/model in AC whenever i finish this madness (if it dosnt suck)

Interesting. One of my classmates actually did a similar thesis. If i get off my lazy ass, I can ask him for some of his resources. His trick was interweaving the spaces if I remember currently. Flow of movement patterns + stack vs digital placement + architectural forms to match = win. He was a huge fan of Zaha though, so if that's not your cup of tea, it probably wouldn't work as an approach, but something to consider.

Barcardi

i am not the biggest fan, but i do like zaha. I really like moshe safdi and what he did with the salt lake city / vancouver libraries though.

if there is any web info on your friends stuff i wouldnt mind taking a look at it, if you have the time. otherwise no worries i have to concentrate on this vray madness :P

Seeks

So I think CatStd was the same program we used back in the day. Awesome.

I remember it being less complicated though. Hmm.

KupotheAvenger

Seeks wrote: »

So I think CatStd was the same program we used back in the day. Awesome.

I remember it being less complicated though. Hmm.

Cat...Std...that made me giggle a bit.

Barcardi

why back in my day we hand drafted and did hand lettering, and when we used a printer it had only 4 pen colors. and it took an hour to print. and i had to walk up hill both ways. PENS

damn kids and their 60s music and their lack of attention to the details and hand lettering and not carrying a sketchbook.

KupotheAvenger

Barcardi wrote: »

why back in my day we hand drafted and did hand lettering, and when we used a printer it had only 4 pen colors. and it took an hour to print. and i had to walk up hill both ways. PENS

damn kids and their 60s music and their lack of attention to the details and hand lettering and not carrying a sketchbook.

Sketchbook! Why in MY day we had to go into the fields with no shoes, pick the papyrus from the crocodile infested waters of the nile in 99 degree heat in the blistering snow, bring it home, lay it out, grind it, make paper out of it. Then we had to go and mine coal in the tunnels for 3 whole days until we had enough bits to draw our plans. When we needed other colors we'd have to just figure it out. We used squished bugs for green ink! Mashed up flowers for yellow ink, and BLOOD for red ink! Blood! Can you imagine the redmarks we'd get back?! We had four different construction managers up and die from massive bloodloss because ONE person didn't know how to draft correctly. Goddamn kids and your fancy pencils and sketchbooks...

Seeks

Just... just take it easy fellas, we're all friends here...