SURELY OFF TOPIC: Rendering Organic Shapes

[Jason Francois]

Hello.

I've been searching around the internet trying to give myself an education about industrial design and production, but my head is hurting. Since there are so many people on here with such vast amounts of knowledge, I thought I'd refocus myself.

I have a sports watch design that is burning a hole in my mind. I've just now started to sketch it out the old-fashioned way, but am wondering what software program would be best to move into in order to get CAD-specific detailing as well as semi-photorealistic rendering.

I believe that Jim uses Solidworks for his watch designs on things like the Tank, but I'm wondering if the design of the watch is much more free-form or organic will something like Solidworks....errrr...work?

If not any other ideas would be welcome.

My ultimate goal is to take sketches into fairly well-formed renders so that I can start the long process of production viability, etc.

Thanks for the time.

Jason

[chuck colburn]

Over on the HBS website there is a disscusion on 3-D drawing programs. Some are even free for download. Scroll down to the Reasearch Room section.

http://hbsboard.com/index.php

[Jason Francois]

Over on the HBS website there is a disscusion on 3-D drawing programs. Some are even free for download. Scroll down to the Reasearch Room section.

http://hbsboard.com/index.php

Thanks Chuck. I will check it out.

[ColinSmith]

I like Rhino for industrial/architecture modeling.
mcneel.com (http://www.mcneel.com)

Nice price too. You can render stills to a reasonable degree with the base package, or add on render engines for more options. Lots of training and example stuff on the site.

[Ace]

Rhino is the way to go for organic modelling.

[Jason Francois]

thanks guys. I remember Rhino from a long time ago, so i will revisit it.

Best,

Jason

EDIT: Rhino is only for PC. :( I'm looking at something like MODO, but I'm still uncertain.

[Steve Tammi]

Z-Brush is a fine organic modeling program, maybe too organic for what you have in mind but worth checking out. Keep in mind that Rhino, Modo, Z-Brush, Lightwave etc. are not CADD packages. You can design in those packages but eventually you will need to take the model to a CAD/CAM program. Since CAD/CAM software can be expensive and take a while to master you might consider contracting out the CAD/CAM work once you are ready for prototyping.

Steve

edit: Another thought about prototyping... consider sending the model, out of whatever program you make it in, to a rapid proto type vendor. There is a variety of plastic, resin and metal processes to choose from that would allow you to create a prototype without going through the expense of the CAD/CAM process. Just do a search on the internet.

[Jason Francois]

Z-Brush is a fine organic modeling program, maybe too organic for what you have in mind but worth checking out. Keep in mind that Rhino, Modo, Z-Brush, Lightwave etc. are not CADD packages. You can design in those packages but eventually you will need to take the model to a CAD/CAM program. Since CAD/CAM software can be expensive and take a while to master you might consider contracting out the CAD/CAM work once you are ready for prototyping.

Steve

edit: Another thought about prototyping... consider sending the model, out of whatever program you make it in, to a rapid proto type vendor. There is a variety of plastic, resin and metal processes to choose from that would allow you to create a prototype without going through the expense of the CAD/CAM process. Just do a search on the internet.

Thanks Steve. That's kind of what I'm afraid of. Maybe i'm over thinking the CAD element, but I was just hoping that I could be able to transfer some of the scale and proportions to CAD. I work in CAD-based programs now, but only doing houses in fairly geometric form and I try not to get too specific.

I'm looking at MODO right now and am very interested in what you're saying about running straight into rapid prototyping to test a few things out. I'm also thinking about going old-school and doing some elements in clay just to get that tactile feel.

Thanks again for the input. Greatly appreciated.

Jason

[ColinSmith]

Keep in mind that Rhino, Modo, Z-Brush, Lightwave etc. are not CADD packages. You can design in those packages but eventually you will need to take the model to a CAD/CAM program.

For the other programs yes there's a big diference, but Rhino is absolutely a program that follows right through the process to CAD/CAM (Rhino CAM (http://www.rhino3d.com/cam.htm)) - it's produced by the same team that does much of the work on Autocad.

If Rhino really looks like what you need, then there isn't anything that comes remotely close at the pricepoint. Modo is a great general 3d modeler, but it's not a CAD system, so what you would get out would be 3d sketches which could be a guide to prototyping, rather than a file ready to export to be machined that Rhino can do.

Rhino is one of the few programs holding me to PCs.

[Jason Francois]

For the other programs yes there's a big diference, but Rhino is absolutely a program that follows right through the process to CAD/CAM (Rhino CAM (http://www.rhino3d.com/cam.htm)) - it's produced by the same team that does much of the work on Autocad.

If Rhino really looks like what you need, then there isn't anything that comes remotely close at the pricepoint. Modo is a great general 3d modeler, but it's not a CAD system, so what you would get out would be 3d sketches which could be a guide to prototyping, rather than a file ready to export to be machined that Rhino can do.

Rhino is one of the few programs holding me to PCs.


Thanks Colin. Isn't that how it works. I use to work on PC only and then started to migrate to Mac and found ways to do CAD work without having to use AutoCAD, then after switching find more of a need for a PC-based workflow.

Rhino does look really good for my needs. I might have to re-approach running both platforms again.

Thanks for the feedback.

[ColinSmith]

Apparently Rhino is coming to the Mac later this year.
www.architosh.com (http://www.architosh.com/news/2007-06/2007a0606_an-rhinomac.html)

[KJames]

I assume you would be doing a concept design so really any 3d modeler would work well. Then you can take it to a fabricator to spec out in CAD.

If you want great photorealism in the render side of thing look at: http://www.maxwellrender.com

[Jason Francois]

Apparently Rhino is coming to the Mac later this year.
www.architosh.com (http://www.architosh.com/news/2007-06/2007a0606_an-rhinomac.html)

That could be great news!!! I will keep posted. Haven't been on architosh for some time. Thanks for that.!

KJames. I really only need to do concepts, but I'm trying to find ways to go as far as I can as a one-man shop. Then once I've had a chance to make sure everything works as planned and is viable, I would go on to the prototyping phase. Of course, this is slightly idealistic, but I will work on this path as long as I can. :)

I need to check out maxwell again. I use Sketchup for my house designs and I believe that a lot of people use it. I don't usually need photorealistic with my houses, but the future might change that, so being able to crossover between my house designs and industrial designs could be good.

thanks again for the help.

Best,

Jason