into carrara pro 5 on my G5 mac. I gather I open the package of the carrara application icon, and then what? No instal instructions came with it. Love esther

-> Contents -> MacOS -> Extensions -> Put ArchiTools.dat, ArchiTools.mcx and ArchiTools.txt in there Open Carrara New Scene Insert Architools item Type name and password Ready! (hope this helps)

Yay! thanks. Love esther It works it works.

Next question. I cut a hole for the windows, doors and stairs, but where do I find the models to fit in these holes? Love esther

Attached Link: Tutorial/documentation on Inagoni website

thanks - off to look. Love esther

Hmm I still can't seem to make a window in the window hole, even using that tutorial. I went to the windows menu and clicked on model, and it's telling me that there is a window called normal window and a check box is ticked that says fit in (which is good) but it's not appearing in the master objects list or in the instances list and the child menu says "no child" Love esther

You don't think I was perhaps meant to put in one of those other folders in the architools documentation that came with it or something? I just feel maybe something isn't working properly. Love esther

where do I get the window and door geometry from? They are included with architools aren't they? (horrible sinking feeling now) Love esther

I can't remember if there were models that came with it. There are models in the download section, that is for sure. You can add them to browser tray: -> MacOS -> Presets -> Objects -> new directory 'AT models' ...or just put them in an easy to remember place on your hard drive

Attached Link: http://www.inagoni.com/content.php?content.12

aha, that's the answer i think. Love esther

there were models that came with it, and thanks to you, I've found them and put a door in! Thanks. Love esther ps OMG it's 0030hrs here. I'd love to make a building now but I have to go to bed.

it's 3.30 pm here. So I still have some time to go (I feel like sleeping :-)

Another option for those who want to do houses/buildings for Carrara, or any 3D application that can import DXF or 3ds files, is "3D Home Architect Design Suite Deluxe 6."

It is actually a very cool program which does a much better job than architools (which I purchased). Make sure you get version 6 or higher if you are interested, as the earlier versions had no 3ds export (the DXF doesn't work nearly as well). You can even do terrain layout (hills etc.) and they will import into Carrara with the models. You can do fences, decks -- all sorts of architectual stuff, and all can be re-shaded in Carrara.

I found out about this over at the Vue forum, and have had the application for about 2 weeks. Will cost me $15 after the rebate.

Looks Interesting, but how confusing Broderbund had it then rivers somebody sold it to punch! now I think encore has it. How do you know which is more stable or what?

The version 7 that sells a Walmart for $9.95 is a repackaging of version 6 which still sells for $99.95 at Fry's.

Encore now owns the product. I did buy the Walmart version for $9.95, and also bought the suite (has a few more features) with a rebate. I bought the suite from Nothingbutsoftware when it was on sale. Buy the $9.95 Walmart version rather than the $99.95 Fry's (list price). You can also get the suite at Amazon for $39.99 with a discount and "special offer."

I saw amazon had it(man I hate rebates...that $20 is about at my threshold to even bother). Don't care much for nothingbutsw, since they had illegal sw issues. Altho was awhile back.For something like that probably fine.Think I would rather have the suite...would like the export and landscape/building features.What is the main diff w/ the suite vs the version 7?

6 came with the plant library and book. 7 doesn't have a book. Don't know if it has plants.

another question now that i have figured it out - if i make a little architools building and then shade it with the free shaders i downloaded from the architools website, can i sell the building? love esther

Can't be much of a plant library. I thought the suite was the home/building designer and lanscape designer. Does the 7 version export 3ds format w/ these 2 components or is it just one of the 2 programs? I jumped over to wmart and it looks like home part only. Don't see landscape part. Also isn't clear what it exports, which is critical, of course.

Message edited on: 03/26/2006 20:47

Esther, I would ask Julien to be safe.Since you would be distributing them with the building, not as a product, probably.Kinda like most clip art. Would probably want to modify them anyway.

okay, thanks love esther

Esther, If they are procedurals, they would have to be converted to another format anyway, unless they are for carrara which might not make sense anyway. People could texture their own. You would probably alter them anyway. It would be safe to ask, but procedurals are really kinds presets, so it is tricky, unless you just flat out try to pass off a preset as your own.This would be wrong, but honestly you have a hard time showing that you didn't create it unless it had some pretty unique options. They are a sticky wicket to distribute in many cases.

If your an artist there is no copyrite on the tube of paint!

Well maybe a patent :),but it is a much grayer area.They have been able to patent off internet ideas so who knows.People have tried to copyright common phrases and numbers.I have seen this discussion come up with fractal art, as well.It can get confusing.

Amazon showed alot of issues with this product 3D Home Architect Design Suite Deluxe 6. Not sure what the landscape part can really offer anyway. I hate to buy sw at that price that is going to be a mess. Anybody try the walmart version find it to be stable and export a usable format?

I tried the walmart version... and it exports fine to 3ds which can then be imported to Carrara... I personally wasn't impressed, but then I'm not wanting buildings... I was trying for a room... but it can be done, and I'm sure with retexturing it would be fine. I've got a friend who may be buying the sw off me, because she needs something that will do a masonry blueprint for a house.

The sole goal is to create some buildings and interiors more quickly. Landscape items I think are easier to make.Was it at least stable? Apparently there was a corruption issue according to some amazon customers.I think I would probably not do texturing in the program.

The down side with hex for this kind of thing is no real measuring, doesn't look like they plan to add it either, which limits its usages for any modeling requiring accuracy or measurements.

for the one building I exported it was fine. I was willing to take the plunge for ten dollars, despite my extremly limited income... for me I think it was a matter of wanting something easier to do just an interior. I use silo for modeling my interiors at the moment, because it does have a system of measure... and it exports and imports into Carrara fine. Christina

Hi, I just saw the question about using shaders from Inagoni on commertial products. Feel free to use them as you want, there're no copyright on them. Julien

"Apparently there was a corruption issue according to some amazon customers.I think I would probably not do texturing in the program."

I haven't really had any problems with the program. It actually does a good job of exporting 3ds files, and the textures come over, but they are very low resolution. The DXF export isn't so hot though. It's possible that the problem is with the DXF? Based on my experiences, if it didn't have the 3ds export, it wouldn't be worth it -- but I did only pay $15 with the rebate. For $99, I think I would skip on it. One thing that is kind of cool, is you can export the framing only, then export the entire project and "skin" the framing.

Thanks Julien, the shaders are really nice! Oh and the little free windows and doors? Can I use them in the houses I make to sell as well? (if I do make a house model to sell) Love esther

Thanks Julien. LCBoliou, did you find the landscape part all that useful? I don't understand why these products have such a vague desc of their features between products. I really want to avoid rebates. I almost got burned one time, finally after over a yr, on a whim I told the manufacturer what the rebate company had did and to my surprise they made it happen pronto and were quite apologetic about the stunts they were pulling. They had alot of complaints about the company. All they have to do is say they didn't get it or many other things and you wasted your time. I actually just spent 8.37? on certified postage to make sure my $80 rebates didn't mysteriously dissappear after going thru all the effort to fill them out and send in. Some companies do it all online w/ no mailing..this is the best. But it is such a hassle and a comeon. If it isn't at least $25 I don't bother to send it in.I know many other people who also have had problems or didn't get them.If the walmart version can make buildings and interiors, windows, doors etc.. then export in 3ds just a model seems ok to try it to see if it is flaky or not.I did not know silo had a measurement system. hmmm. The fact that hex doesn't and it seems to be a conscious decision to not include this at some point is very odd.Kinda basic and very critical. I may need to end up getting silo at some point.

I measure basic objects in Amapi 7 and then export them as OBJ into Hexagon to use as reference while I build a model around them that I need to have a certain width/height.

The downside there is I don't like amapi...don't like the interface or the way the program worked.Pro I have seen, but not used, but I think it is too expensive for my needs.What surprised me is that they haven't added measuring and don't plan to.I only got to look at silo demo briefly, but it seems like a simple interface.

The 3D objects on inagoni.com are also free of rights. They can be used in any commercial project. Julien

thanks Julien - good to know. love esther

I got the walmart version. EF,you did get items to import? I have tried samples and made a couple.But it imports/opens supposedly, it shows in the tree, but nothing is there.No objects are listed.One sample kept asking for textures that weren't in existance. Carrara wouldn't cancel. Had to kill it. I tried playing with scale, but no go.Bizarre. Well hex can open them, then I save them again so carrara can open it.Got latest c5pro. Weird.