Okay, I get it. Vue and Bryce aren't really modelers. They are more... I don't know, but I understand that they are scene creaters and render processors, or however you want to say it. Yes, you can model some things in Vue and Bryce, but not highly complex things. So, what do I use to model highly complex things? I need to model, for a project I'm on, Big Ben and Parliment. What should I use? I'm on a Mac, I have Animation Master, but that doesn't seem to be the best choice since I don't think it transitions smoothly to Vue. (Patch models versus Polygon Models.) Any other suggestions that don't break the bank? Thanks! Michael.

Well, you are right, Vue (or Bryce) are so called renderer - or highly specialized landscape modelers, so to say. For modelling you will need other programs. What sort of depends on the money you want to spend. A good choice could be Amapi - there is a free full version 5.15 out for Mac. Actually they are at 6.15, i think. One possibility to find models is to look through different commerecial or not so commercial internet sites. Like www.planit3d.com or simply the free stuff area in renderosity. You can find a huge list up in our FAQ area! Especially Big Ben or Parliament, i don't know wether that is for free somewhere (maybe MightyPete knows; i know that St. Pauls cathedral does exist as a rough model!). But if you need it for a project, maybe you can spend the money and buy it somewhere. Another possibility is to ask architects wether they know about those models. Or wether someone can build it for you. That's probably what i would do! Walther

Attached Link: http://www.greatbuildings.com/gbc.html

HAve a look at GreatBuildings (free models)

the only "problem" is, that it is not obvious to convert the 3dmf models to something Vue can work with. Guitta, how are you doing that? Amapi 5.15 is able to load these 3dmf models and from there you can save them as whatever! I think Michael should know that. lol, Walther

I have some models in 3dmf format. I used 3D Exploration for conversion (now its called Deep exploration, I think). But its commercial software. look at: www.righthemisphere.com

Hey, we are talking Mac here! And on Macs only left hemispheres does exist :-)) By the way, another 3D free modeller came into my mind again: Wings 3D. And this one does have even a forum in Renderosity. So this could be another possibility!

Attached Link: http://www.artifice.com/free/dw_lite.html

Michael, the easiest way is to download the architectural free software DesignWorkshop lite for Mac at the link above. Then go to greatbuildings.com and download a photo of the building you want to create. Export your finished model as a DXF. Convert it with a free converter (hope you find one for Mac) to an OBJ. Use UVmapper for Mac (free) to create your material template and then import it into Vue. Guitta

Bryce seems to have more modelling capabilities compared to Vue (metaballs in V5; not very useful for architecture, I'm afraid) ;=) Yves

Oops, sorry, its my fault...sorry guys. I agree with Guitta, DesignWorkshop lite could help.

Wow... I see I have a lot of learning to do. But thanks for the great start. I'm going to reproduce what I've been told, please check this and make sure I've got it right. DesignWorkshop lite will convert the buildings at greatbuildings to an DXF file. I need to find a mac based DXF to OBJ converter. Then use UVmapper to create a material template. (Must find tutorial on this) Then import and apply materials in Vue. About sum it up?

Right:-). There are tutorials at UVmapper's site. For a building, it seems easy to create a template as a box. But Sharen knows UVmapper better. I'm just beginning with it for simple objects. It's great to have a template to paint the texture on it:-). You cannot map directly in Vue, because these DXF files comes in only one piece. That's why you need UVmapper. About DXF->OBJ converter, I only know a free one for Windows (3dwin). Guitta

sorry to come back to Amapi. This will be able to convert the buildings to dxf as well - and is full modeller. I think it is able to keep the different parts - if there are some. I remember, with Davis house (i think), i am still trying to sort out the different pieces - what is what. Because the model comes fully furnitured. And with garden and part of the road on which the house is located. I will check this when my renderer is finished - tomorrow. Converting DXF to OBJ - you have two free choices. Wings 3D or Amorphium 1.0 which is an interesting piece of software as well. Maybe you look at some of YL's images to see what Amorphium is doing. Walther

OK, it's better to find something that exports DXF in more pieces... But I have several software, none of it exports DXF in pieces:-(. The image shows an object created -not by me- in Designworkshop. I have exported it as a DXF, converted to OBJ and then opened as a box in UVmapper. Just to show you that it will be quite easy to create a texture for it.

Guitta

Sorry, my mistake. I have talked about dxf and meant 3ds. Ashes over my head. I think dxf is simply not able to deal with several parts in one model. But thats a guess! I have double-checked Amapi now. It can import 3dmf (from greatbuildings) and save the model in pieces as 3ds. And this structure does come into Vue as well. BUT. Because mostly the parts does not have names, you end up with a long list of elements called "object". And you have to sort out what is what! I think UVMapper is a great help to sort models out.

I wish I was at home where I could go grab this stuff and give it a try. cough cough I'm not feeling so good... maybe I'll go home.

LOL runwolf

Attached Link: http://www.xonko.com/Shockwave3DLab/3d_soft/3dsoft_other.htm

If you page down at this site, there's a freeware for MAC that converts dxf to obj, I think. Handy tool. Good resource for other stuff too, like free Amapi 4.15.

Another possibility might be to get the Maya 4.5 personal learning edition if you have a fast internet connection (150 Mb!).It`s free but you have to register.I got my on a cd in a magazine.In most other cases i use cinema 4d for modelling (and rendering),but if i convert my cd4 files into 3ds or wavefront-obj (only if the file size is not too huge)i can use them in Vue as well.The texturing i finish in Vue.