Ariel

AR = Advanced Render. It's the rendering module you can purchase with the basic cinema 4d package --- somewhat similar to how Renderworks work in VW.

You're referring to the vrayforc4d plugin (http://www.vrayforc4d.com/), right? Vray is definitely more superior but comes with a steeper learning curve. If you're just starting with C4d, I would suggest that you learn AR first. AR already does excellent renders and may already work for you. Transitioning to vray wouldn't really be a big jump from there. hth, ariel

You have no idea what you're talking about. Sorry, my bad. I thought we were talking about present day software.

Thanks for the videos but I'm already using parametric railings in real-world Revit projects so I'm fully aware of what their advantages and potentials are. What I'm trying to tell you is that you'll eventually encounter instances wherein they weren't designed for. Or inevitably you'll have to create a totally different railing or stair design which simply can't be done with the standard railing tool which came with the software. What you also fail to see in the videos is the effort and time involved in setting up those parameters and components. It's not as easy or intelligent as it looks. Oftentimes you end up working more as a programmer than as a designer.

Because editing a parametric object which dynamically interacts with the rest of the model is astronomically faster to revise. In theory, probably. In the real world, I don't believe so. I'm using Revit so I have no idea how Archicad works. But keep in mind that unless you use only a fixed set of railing designs in your projects, you also have to take into account the time inputting all those parameters on how your intelligent railing behaves. And believe me, behaving how you expect it to isn't always the case in Revit. ariel

They'll go where the industry tells them. I would suggest that you look at what your clients' (not your office) BIM requirements are if there are any. Here's a link which you may find interesting: gsa.gov In this example, the BIM requirements are pretty basic --- just spatial stuff and the building's structure. From my standpoint, I would ask myself what do I really need from my CAD/BIM software *now*. Do I really need to have an intelligent building model if all I have to deliver to my clients are the basics? Why bother with a railing 'intelligently' modelled when nobody cares?

David, Non-plotable layers are one of Autocad's features which simply doesn't make sense in VW. As Jonathan already pointed out, you can just show your 'guides' class in your design layer and and turn it off in your sheet layers. ariel

This got a snicker from me. Although I don't necessarily agree with Jeffrey's recent posts, I can understand his frustrations with your comments. If you could have just gained a fuller understanding on how the other BIM applications work, you'll realize that modeling and drawing are VW's greatest advantages over them. Just because WGR seems too complicated for you, it doesn't mean that it doesn't work. A lot of VW users have successfully used it in their projects. Each software developer chose a certain development path. UI changes can be challenging if not impossible. BIM is still a moving target and it's comforting that no one company is influencing its direction. Looking at where BIM is in the industry, I like how VW is keeping pace. (I just wish the IFC certification would finally push through.)

I don't think VW/Renderworks supports UV mapping which is what you're looking for. Even with Rhino 3d, it may be a complicated process if not impossible since it's more of a nurbs-based modeler rather than a surface-based app. I would suggest a more dedicated rendering software such as Cinema 4d or 3D studio if you really need more texture mapping options. hth, Ariel

Because multiprocessing has as much to do with render farming as render framing does. ;}

Of course, there is. Just draw it manually. Seriously, I'm surprised some people actually use the grid bubble tool. NNA should take a long hard look at how other BIM apps implement it.

Thank you for the clarification, AndiACD. I think you're making an unfair comparison since C4D isn't exactly a CAD application where accuracy is a high priority. Considering that Minicad 1 was released in 1985, I believe 28 years is a bit off the mark though.

Correct me if I'm wrong but didn't VW do a "ground up rebuild" around eight years ago with version 9 when it switched to a floating point database?

From what I read in their website, collision detection in Archicad seems to work only for the MEP modeler extension which would require an additional purchase.

that is correct but in revit, you define wall components in plan not in section.

Why would you want that? With saved views and customizable viewports as better alternatives, I'm having difficulty thinking up of a scenario where I would need such a feature.

I'm quite certain that it isn't Revit. Which software are you referring to?

Personally, I think you're making this look more difficult than it actually is. Honestly, how hard is it really to paste a polygon and convert it into a nurbs object?

Some may prefer still prefer the resulting nurbs path (ie. for sloped handrails) though. What kind of editing do you actually need? If you need to do an offset, you have to move the origin of the profile instead. If you need to add or move several vertices, my workflow (hope this is clear) is to create a temporary 2d polygon as snap points, cut/copy to clipboard, paste that when you enter the path object, modify the nurbs, delete the polygon, exit. Having said that, I wish NNA would allow in-place editing of the EAP --- similar to how C4D and Revit do it.

The problem though is that unlike in previous versions, the path object doesn't necessarily lie flat on a plane in VW2009. The EAP also works with more complex 3d nurbs as your path object.

What do you mean? I use them all the time.

What I usually do is create one "extrude along path" object using the perimeter of the building as my path (assuming this is your exterior wall all around). If there are any openings that would be in the way, just use the subtract solid command. And if you're also prefer to use secondary low walls, I would suggest that you create them inside a group so as not to accidentally mess up your main walls.

Can anyone confirm if the C4D exchange plugin works with VW2009 and C4D rel 10? How about VW2009 and C4D rel 11? Just playing safe before making the upgrade from VW2008. Thanks. Ariel

In the case of Revit, yes it does go further. You can assign ownership of specific object types or groups of objects to a particular user. I've seen this to be more of a hassle than an advantage in actual practice though. (What the... I'm not allowed to move this wall?) As you already mentioned, this seems to be a very minor problem which you have to deal with in any system. You can always delete the reference links and have your one file can't you?

Exactly what I had in mind. WGR probably just needs some more intelligence to be aware of how changes in one file affects another. Seems much more doable IMHO rather than having to associate every single object, layer, class or whatever to a specific team member.