David Barbarash

I disagree. There are only two kinds of modeling software, solids and surface modelers. Surface modelers drape a surface over a series of splines or NURBS curves. Surface modelers draw faces between points in space. FormZ and SolidWorks are no different (mathmatically) than Max or Cinema4D.

My 2 cents:
 
I’ve messed around with Rhino a few times. I liked the CAD style interface and ease of laying out 2D linework to extrude into 3D objects. What I DIDN’T like was the reliance of NURBS based modeling. I believe that our work is better served with a solids modeler (like 3D Studio max, Cinema 4D, or Sketchup) as it’s more relatable to…[Read more]

Unless you like something written to the lowest common denominator, I’d avoid the “For Dummies” books.
 
Reading a “how-to” book without being able to try it out never worked well for me. It was hard to retain the knowledge or understanding of what I read when it came time to actually do the work and I’d end up consulting the book all over again.…[Read more]

I’d save your money on the book. You’ll get everything you need from the online tutorials (of which most are free) and the book really doesn’t have anything specific to LA’s, it just uses landscape-y type pictures as examples. Buying that book would just be a duplication of what you’ve all ready covered after you’ve figured out the basics.
 
I’d…[Read more]

In my experience, Illustrator was the least used program in the Adobe suite. I could never get past it’s awful memory management, constant crashes, and annoying errors. I use Photoshop for rendering and InDesign for layouts. I’ll only use Illustrator if there is a lot of complex analysis level linework (arrows, bubbles, etc.) since it’s…[Read more]

Got ya. Since CCNY is part of the CUNY system, there’s a possibility that you can take a class or two at a different location if you aren’t getting what you need from their program.I know that Brooklyn College has a strong digital media component, but check here for others: http://www.cuny.edu/academics/programs/notable/digital-media.html
 
Plus,…[Read more]

Its my experience that big box book stores rarely carry such specialized books, instead focusing on generalist uses of the software (which can be fine as well depending on your learning style). Take a look at Amazon and the ASLA and AIA book lists for decent titles.
 
I’d still say that $30 an hour is too much but if it’s the only training you’ll…[Read more]

I’d say that the course isn’t worth it at all, especially not at that price. In 20 hours, the best you will get is a overview of the software interface and maybe one or two ‘click here, do this” tutorials. The Adobe Suite and CAD can be split into a full semester long course each and you STILL won’t have half of what each program can do. $1200 is…[Read more]

While a certain level of personality has gone into gaining work at places I’ve been, more often than not, it’s the design that sells a project, and the graphics that sell the design. This has been true for both public and private contracts that I’ve worked on, though mostly for first time clients in the private realm. once a relationship is…[Read more]

BTW-any technique is the right technique if it gets the point across and is profitable.
 
I couldn’t agree more with this statement.
 
Even though I tend to use 3ds Max for my 3D work, and I like the physical cameras for rendering (to provide realistic viewing angles, horizontal compression, and focus), I tend to render to elements (each c…[Read more]

As nice an idea as that sounds, I don’t think it’s feasible in the modern market driven design world. Computers are all about editability and repurposing content from previous works. That is not as easy (cost effective) with analog media.

My research line here at Purdue will be of interest to you then. I hope my work will be of direct help to design firms since I include cost/benefit analysis of each project in my write-ups.
 
My masters thesis looked at levels of detail in still images generated from a 3D model – and the time (and cost) it took to create them. I’ll be looking…[Read more]

I’d also like to add that the perceived stigma of “computer generated images are hiding something” or “clients believe hand renderings are easier to make changes” are fast disappearing. Most developers and firm higher-ups did not grow up with computers or have chosen to avoid immersion into the digital world. And the whole “it’s easier to hide…[Read more]

Assuming that you’ve printed/exported to scale from CAD, couldn’t you just use the scale dialog box and enter in an exact percentage to convert to the scale you want in Illustrator?

Corel has been around for over a decade and owns the rights to Wordperfect (a 20+ year old word processing software line), Painter (a palette/paint blending art program that can simulate different paints and surfaces), and Paintshop Pro (a Photoshop alternative).
 
In my opinion, their products have all ways lagged behind their competitors. For…[Read more]

For me it’s a matter of work-flow (and the fact that I was a Max/Viz guy before Sketchup existed). I like the live linking between plan and 3D that CAD + Max can give and I’m fast enough with it that modeling times aren’t that much more than Sketchup. Then again I’ve worked mostly on large sites with complex topography and a lot of sub-contractors…[Read more]

Under $600 for the software? No I can’t name anything else. But factor in the time (in dollars) it takes in Photoshop (an additional expense) to improve the image to presentation quality, and add in the time spent re-modeling and re-Photoshopping after the client asked for changes and then see how much difference there is between Sketchup and a…[Read more]

It’s for this exact reason why I’m not a fan of Sketchup for the standard office design process. It works well for finished 1-off images after they’ve had a good amount of post-processing in Photoshop, but what happens if the client comes in and asks for a change? What if a building needs to be rotated, a road realigned, or grading revised? What…[Read more]

Check out http://www.doschdesign.com/ and their Viz-Images line, http://www.marlinstudios.com/, and though I hesitate to mention it, http://www.archvision.com/.

Agreed, which is why registration has an apprenticeship period as a requirement. My point is: why the need for the term “Registered” at all if we all ready have a distinction between the licensed and the unlicensed?
 
And while there will all ways be exceptions to the rule; people who are smart enough and interested enough to self-teach…[Read more]