[soarchitect]

Next Limit-

Is it possible to get a forum setup for architectural visualization?

Most architects use Vray, so there is a large community of users to learn from. With Maxwell, the user base of architects is smaller,
and therefore less information relevant to arch viz is available.

These forums are great, but the vast majority of users are product design experts. And what may look awesome for products often
does not work for architecture.

Are there other architects on this forum that would like to offer their opinion?

[brodie_geers]

What you're talking about is basically http://forums.cgarchitect.com/

-Brodie

[Bubbaloo]

But maybe he means Maxwell specific.

[brodie_geers]

Perhaps. There is a Maxwell specific board on cgarchitect, but it's pretty much dead. To me this is the place to go for advice on Maxwell, and that's the place to go for advice on arch-viz specific stuff. I guess a board that combines both could be theoretically nice, but as he points out (as as is evidenced by the cgarchitect Maxwell board) you end up getting the worst of both worlds. When you're looking for Maxwell advice, you rule out some important people like the developers and folks like half-life who aren't arch-viz but can provide great advice to us. And when you're looking for arch-viz info, you rule out all those folks using vray.

-Brodie

[soarchitect]

It was my intention that this forum, on this site, is dedicated to people who want to use Maxwell Render for Architectural Viz. CGarchitect is too generic, Vray is a
different tool. This forum would be focused on rendering the built environment. It is pretty difficult to improve ones skill rendering a high-rise when the discussion is
focused on the render quality of a wrist watch.

I believe Next Limit needs to grow the arch-viz community if it is interested in tapping into this market. The way to do this is by creating a environment where users
can share information so that they get better results. Right now, product designers are producing much better images than architects.

[sconlogue]

I'd be into that. There is definitely a lack of Maxwell community out there on other forums. certainly Arch Viz with Maxwell does pose rather specific problems especially regarding interiors. I think a few industry specific forums setup by nextlimit here would be very useful!

In a related note there has been arch viz Maxwell activity over at http://www.ronenbekerman.com with the Maxwell render challenge and all. Brodie has a nice entry in there. Check it out.

[brodie_geers]

Ah, I was gathering that you were talking about starting a new forum altogether. I could see something like that working pretty well if NL decided to host it (alongside, say, a product viz section, maybe an animation section, a technical section, etc.).

Thanks for the plug sconlogue. Ronen has some great arch-viz challenges. There have always been a few of us Maxwell guys in there, hope to see more in the City challenge he has coming up. I can't show my day-to-day work online so these challenges give me an excuse to spend time on stuff I can eventually throw into an online portfolio.

-brodie

[zdeno]

It will show up right after benchwell return . LOL

[glassbathroom]

I'm an architect (if anyone cares or is counting). I think there are a fair few architectural vizers (new word) that use the Maxwell and hang out on the forum. I am not sure I really see the need for a separate forum. In fact I quite like that you get a mix of people here sharing tips and ideas. I appreciate that an intense discussion about rendering liquids in glasses is probably not that useful to me, but enjoy reading about it occasionally. However, if the powers that be see the use of it, I will undoubtably participate.

I would be very surprised if the majority of architects use Vray exclusively. It may be that they have yet to try MR. We need to get the word out.

[sconlogue]

I would be very surprised if the majority of architects use Vray exclusively. It may be that they have yet to try MR. We need to get the word out.

I agree, when it comes down to accurate daylighting, luminance, materials etc. It's tough to beat Maxwell. Vray is anything but accurate, same as Mental Ray or any other biased engine. Granted reality is not always what you want but Maxwell allows you to be dramatic when it is called for and accurate when needed. I have also been using Fire with clients when they come to the studio and they love it. Multi-light has always been a bit hit with clients as well.

[glassbathroom]

Multi-light has always been a bit hit with clients as well.

Yes indeed. If only we could easily do a Multi-light sun path animation. I spent ages trying to mock this up with lots of sun emitter positions, but it didn't really work.

[soarchitect]

I could see something like that working pretty well if NL decided to host it (alongside, say, a product viz section, maybe an animation section, a technical section, etc.).
-brodie

I think this works only if NL is the host. And I agree with Brodie that it could work with other disciplines as well. I don't think this would in anyway dilute the participation of members at other
areas on this site. If anything, it would probably bring in new members with new ideas, new insights, etc. If you really thought about it, how many product-viz people would go to an arch-viz website
for tips and advice? probably very few. Likewise, there is no reason to expect arch-viz people to visit a product-viz website.

I had a chance to go to New Orleans last week for the AIA convention. NL had a small booth, very close to google and microstation, and a few other software vendors. Unfortunately, the NL booth was
not generating much energy. Why not? Because architects don't know what Maxwell is, or how it works with the software they have already invested in.

In similar circumstance, I worked for an internationally respected architectural firm a few years ago that wanted to invest in rendering software. They chose 3dmax and Vray solely because they were familiar
with the name. 3dmax was only a vehicle to run Vray, they did'nt even need the software.

I know that the capabilities on Maxwell is a perfect fit for architects. The multilight function alone is a huge advantage to studying environments at different times of the day etc. However, you cant generate
buzz or up-the-game when users are scattered about- hoping to find a bread-crumb of information that may have something to do with their niche.

A forum like this involves no increased overhead. If it doesn't work after six months then just scrap-it. But you cant expect anything to happen by doing nothing.

[Maximus3D]

I don't think this will work, besides it would focus all attention on archviz and it's not something a majority of Maxwell users produce from what i understand.
And if archviz users start requesting a separate section for themselves with support and feedback from NL then you will soon after see other groups of users requesting a special forumsection for their type of work and then we will end up with no support and help in any of all these forums and subforums.

There is no point if filling the forum with even more inactive sections. NL can hardly keep up with the forum as it is today(i guess), adding more will make it even harder for them and less helpful for us as users. I vote no to this suggestion, sorry guys.

/ Magnus

[rusteberg]

Blah blah blah.... Booooooring.

xoxo

[Hervé]

definitely not a good idea... let's not put people in Boxes... because then we would need a board for each... product viz, animation, video games, FX, etc... let's keep that community United