Wired Sliders - 3ds MAX
This video focuses on the use of sliders with wire parameters. The tool is demonstrated by using a former demo of the relax modifier but rebuilding to function without sub-object manipulation.
3ds Max - Delete Mesh Modifier
The Delete Mesh modifier works well for removing geometry without having to delete. I often use the delete mesh modifier in conjunction with the Edit Poly Modifier or Mesh Select Modifier.
3ds Max - Bend Modifier
So…. I do not have to much to say about the bend modifier. It pretty much bends geometry. I tend to use it when i need to model organic object and need to deform and area of a model in a very particular way. Once you get into the sub-objects it’s a pretty handy modifier.
3ds Max - Surface Modifier
Since I model with splines I tend to use the surface modifier often. This modifier is also useful when importing splines from other CAD applications such as Rhino or Autocad. Working with clean curves then applying a surface give you more control as well as cleaner geometry.
3ds Max - Cross Section Modifier
The CrossSection modifier creates a “skin” across multiple splines. It works by connecting the vertices of 3D splines to form a skin. The resulting object is another spline object that can be used with the Surface modifier to create a patch surface. These two modifiers, when used together, are sometimes referred to collectively as “Surface Tools.”
3ds Max Shell Modifier
In this 3ds Max video tutorial we cover the Shell modifier, one of my favorite 3ds Max Modifiers, especially for architectural modeling. I do the majority of my 3d modeling with splines, and the shell modifier is a perfect compliment. I begin with splines then apply an extrude to build working surfaces that I can then apply modeling operations on such as cutting out windows or doorway. Then, once the Shell is applied all the edges clean up really well. Another aspect of the Shell Modifier that i use often is the ability to select full areas of the new geometry such as “edged” or “outer faces” this is very useful in conjunction with a modifier like Delete Mesh.
3ds Max Lattice Modifier
The Lattice modifier converts the segments or edges of a shape or object into cylindrical struts with optional joint polyhedra at the vertices.
3ds Max Mirror Modifier
The Mirror modifier provides a parametric method of mirroring an object or a sub-object selection. You can apply the Mirror modifier to any type of geometry, and you can animate the mirror effect by animating the modifier’s gizmo.
3ds Max Modifier - Face Extrude
The Face Extrude modifier extrudes faces along their normals, creating new faces along the sides of the extrusion that connect the extruded faces to their object. As with most modifiers, this affects the current face selection passed up the stack. There are various differences between the Face Extrude modifier and the Face Extrude function in an editable mesh, especially the fact that all parameters in the Face Extrude modifier are animatable.
3ds Max Modifiers - Patch Deform
Patch Deform is a great tool for mapping geometry on a surface or the distribution of component on a surface. The only catch is that the distribution geometry has to come from a surface originally made as a Patch. In the video explain some of the work arounds for using the modifier on multiple objects as well as moving your deformed geometry to the distribution object.
3ds Max Modifiers - Displace
Displace is often used to make terrains or to add finer texture to 3d models with out having to model in extra texture. What I have found is that it can also be used in a very controlled way to manipulate geometries. With the use of procedural texture maps or bitmaps one can can make large scale manipulation to geometry with minimal effort. I tend to use this techniques if I need to quickly iterate design options on a facade.
3ds Max Modifiers - Cap Holes
Cap Holes is a great modifier for modeling as well as making images. One way I use it often is in conjunction with a slice modifier, it’s a good way to do section perspective renderings or drawings.
3ds Max Modifier - Affect Region
The Affect Region modifier is a surface modeling tool, primarily used with vertex sub-object selections while surface modeling. With Affect Region, transforming a selection of vertices can also transform vertices in the region that surrounds the selection. This can help you form a bubble or indentation in the surface of an object.
3ds Max Modifiers - Bevel
The Bevel modifier extrudes shapes into 3D objects and applies a flat or round bevel to the edges. A common use for this modifier is to create 3D text and logos, but you can apply it to any shape.
3ds Max Modifiers - Volume Selection
This Tutorial covers how to use proxy objects to keep an active selection set.
It’s coming…. AutoCAD on a Mac!?!?!
So based on a few articles i just saw (links below) it looks like Autodesk is officially annoucing AutoCAD for Macs. I think this is going to get A LOT of architects to switch.
Virginia Tech lumenHAUS wins international Solar Decathlon in Madrid
Virginia Tech’s lumenHAUS has won the Solar Decathlon Europe competition.
Rhino Grasshopper Webinar
Tomorrow (6/11) at 1:30 p.m. EST, DesignReform will be hosting our first ever live training webinar. David Fano will be presenting a tutorial on Data Trees using Grasshopper for Rhino, and will be available for live questions afterward, so stop by with all of your Grasshopper questions.
WHObyYOU Relaunch (Win an iPad)
We’ve (David, Steve and Fed of CASE
You can use WHObyYOU to find the best local businesses and service providers recommended by YOUR friends, colleagues and favorite local experts. Recommend things like model making supplier and 3d printers, or even who you used on that project to make you those window frames that you really liked, your structural engineer or steel supplier…
Here we go….. Check out WHObyYOU - Local, Social Search
This is the local, social search service that we (CASE) have been working on for a little over a year now and we wanted to share with DesignReform readers, please check it out.
Chile Earthquake Reconstruction Fund
One of the most basic needs post-earthquake is the inspection of structures post earthquake. Inspections are critical in determining the usability of the remaining infrastructure, which will allow the government to determine who can return to their homes, and who needs to be temporarily housed. Architects from all over have volunteered for these tasks, but getting to these areas and supporting these efforts still takes resources.
2 New Jobs on jobs.DesignReform
Positions available at KPF and Johnson Service Group are looking to fill BIM positions
lumenHAUS on Exhibit in Times Square
lumenHAUS – Virginia Tech Project 2009 – DOE Solar Decathlon (1.0 AIA CES) will be on exhibit in Times Square from January 27-31.
goBim Launches iPhone App
goBim has launched an iPhone App that offers mobile navigation to 3D BIM models!
SmartGeometry 2010 Barcelona: Application Deadline Extended!
The application deadline for the 2010 SmartGeometry Workshop in Barcelona has been extended to January 24th! Read up on the conference here and apply today!
Meet Up at Autodesk University
Autodesk University is coming up (December 1 - 3 in Las Vegas) and I will be all over the place!
I will be teaching two classes, one that will show anyone interested in parametric design the powerful new Conceptual Design Tools in Revit Architecture 2010 (Class ID: DV9210-2) and another on Parametric Design Modeling with Autodesk 3ds Max (Class ID: AB114-4). I will also be presenting at the Pecha Kucha event - a fast-paced visual conversation where a diverse group of creative thinkers show 20 compelling images for 20 seconds each - and will be a judge at the Cut&Paste Design Slam.
If you’d like too meet up and grab a drink or some dinner please shoot me an email at d.fano@case-inc.com. Hope to see you at AU!
Useful Revit Blogs
Useful blogs and resources discovered while researching Revit related issues over the past six months.
EVENT - Pike Loop, a Robot-Built Installation in NYC
In September 2009, Storefront for Art and Architecture will inaugurate an exhibition of the work of Swiss architects Gramazio & Kohler, Architecture and Digital Fabrication, ETH Zurich and, in conjunction with NYC Department of Transportation’s Urban Art Program, Storefront will present the first architecture project to be digitally fabricated on site, at 1:1 scale, in the US.
(from avc.com) Donors Choose Bloggers Challenge: Going For The Threepeat
So.. This is a bit off topic but not really 
A blog that I read regularly (www.avc.com) posted this today last week (draft was started last week): http://www.avc.com/a_vc/2009/10/donors-choose-bloggers-challenge-going-for-the-threepeat.html and this is a link to Fred’s giving page.
All of the causes that Fred picked help young students learn with the assistance of technology. I just donated to Making Math Colorful Through Technology. besides a donation, I was thinking about proposing visual math with grasshopper. If simplified enough, do you think 5th graders would benefit from seeing simple math visually. I could imagine setting up sliders with integers that drive a simple series that makes boxes. If you know a teacher in the NYC area (or North East US) please let me know if this is something they would be interested in. I would really like to collaborate with them to see if we can use some of these visual techniques to teach simple concepts. This week I’ll post a video testing this out.
CASE’s Autodesk Curriculum has been published online!
CASE recently wrote a Conceptual Design Curriculum for Autodesk, discussing concepts, techniques and strategies most beneficial to users for creating conceptual designs using such platforms as 3DS Max, Maya, and Revit. This curriculum is now available to download from Autodesk’s website.
Creative Commons
DesignReform.net by David Fano is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 United States License.
Based on a work at designreform.net.
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