[thomas lacroix]

....and remember, if in the end it doesn't work out, there's always McDonalds!

ever seen a 40 years old or so working there (that isnt the boss) ?

[ivox3]

thomas,

ouch.

[acquiesse]

Hi,

You've hit a nerve :)

I work in an Architects firm, which is part of a larger construction firm and there is a dedicated 3d section. They are cabable of doing photo-real, but the sad fact is that most clients are just impressed by the idea that something has been done on the pc. This means that they use the fastest (and therefore the cheapest) renderer, so Maxwell wouldn't be the first choice.

However as an Architecture student Maxwell is perfect, I don't have any formal training (or even a manual!) in CAD visualisation, yet it allows me to experiment to get the best results. I tried working with Mental Ray on Studio Max, but there are so many different settings and permutations, that it is difficult to "get a feel" of how things need to be changed.

My guess is that as an engineer (civil/structural?) you'll need to show relatively simple concrete, metal and plastic surfaces on the complex structures you have designed. Maxwell will allow you to get beautiful images easily, and the extra rendering time will be compensated by the saving in "how come its all gone black, and what on earth do I need to do to make it work!" time.

Mark

P.s. I doubt you'll be concerned to much with how your grass looks, as you'll want people admiring your engineering!

[Hervé]

....and remember, if in the end it doesn't work out, there's always McDonalds!

ever seen a 40 years old or so working there (that isnt the boss) ?

depend where you are, I've seen 60+ in US flipin' burgers....

[thomas lacroix]

yes me too, i've seen elders working in fast food in NY years ago, but it wasn't at Mcdonalds nor burgerking... something like lone rangers or else...dont remember the name...nice city, great memories...

[Hervé]

lone rangers..... he he , that's where old cowboys finish their life in US today.... he he

[thomas lacroix]

yes, so do the old cows... roflmao

[ivox3]

244......., (engage homer simpson voice): "that is sooo true".

i3.

[adamwade]

I think most clients who just want to get an idea of what it will look like don't really have the ability to imagine what it will really look like! That's why they need artists, designers like us. We are their vision.

How easy it is for many designers to fully appreciate a new idea from only a rough thumbnail sketch. We see through the sketch and see the full potential of the idea - Materials, textures and all. That is our gift.

Clients do not usually have this, so they hire us to guide them. If our MAPS are more accurate, then we can help them find their way even better.