3D architectural modelling

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Muleymuel
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3D architectural modelling

Post by Muleymuel »

I have started a surveying company doing measured building surveys with the use of a laser scanner (i have earned my stripes the old-fashioned way and wont go back!). I am mostly experienced with plotting in 2D. Floor plans, sections, elevations, that kind of thing. The trouble is, it seems a shame to have all this wonderful data and drawing in 2D. I would much prefer to model the building once and then extract the 2D information from it, rather than drawing all over again for each view. My experience lies primarily in AutoCAD. My question is, which software is best to use for architectural modelling? Obviously there is Revit but it seems quite alien to me and it seems the 2D extraction is not so clean. Can it be done easily in AutoCAD from point cloud data? What software have other people successfully migrated to?
spm3d
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Re: 3D architectural modelling

Post by spm3d »

We use AutoCAD and Revit for architectural 3D modelling in our company.
But you should consider different aspects of modelling:
1) 2D plans will be the most accurate. You can get 5-10 mm (or even better if your scanner gives such accuracy).
2) 3D modelling in AutoCAD can give you about 20 mm accuracy. You can try to get better, but usually deformations of walls, columns don't allow you to do this. Or you will spend a lot of time with modelling objects with such deformations.
Generating floorplans and sections from 3D CAD model is faster than creating 2D drawings from scratch, but there is still some manual work.
3) BIM model in Revit is very cool, and it is very comfortable to generate 2D drawings from Revit. But for existing buildings it is much harder to get high accuracy. Due to modelling restrictions it is very difficult to show elements as they are in reality, because Revit assume, that some thing should be parallel, some joints​ should be in specific way. Usually you never have perpendicular walls, or parallel columns, and if you force Revit to draw element as you need, you might get errors on joints.
But it is very comfortable to work in Revit, if you have a lot of similar elements. You just create a family once, and copy it.

So, to summarise: choose your workflow according to your requirements.
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Peyman Bashiri
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Re: 3D architectural modelling

Post by Peyman Bashiri »

I`m some how agree with Denys but regard 3D modeling in revit, but you can always use Model in place tool to model deformed elements like nonparallel walls, columns or stairs.
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Re: 3D architectural modelling

Post by james.still »

I agree you can do lots in Revit if you know how

This is a vaulted ceiling, every element parametric - at the moment we are trying to be even more clever with it using Dynamo but falling short...

Image


Obviously, I am biased, but judging by the market and the update for BIM, Revit would be a wiser choice.
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Re: 3D architectural modelling

Post by Scott »

James wrote:
"I agree you can do lots in Revit if you know how. This is a vaulted ceiling, every element parametric - at the moment we are trying to be even more clever with it using Dynamo but falling short...Obviously, I am biased, but judging by the market and the update for BIM, Revit would be a wiser choice.

Most of my clients request .rcp files for Revit, but several fabricators have asked for E57 files for use with Rhino. Attached are some images of such a project, where Rhino will be used to model the curved sections (steel plaster-lath) at the domes:
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Muleymuel
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Re: 3D architectural modelling

Post by Muleymuel »

Thanks for the info... the accuracy does bother me a little as one does like to be precise and it does seem a little silly to have mm accuracy with the scanner and not show it. Rhino looks interesting, going to do some further research into that. I will have to have a play with modelling in AutoCAD as it's a familiar environment but think i will inevitably need to get to grips with Revit.
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Re: 3D architectural modelling

Post by Peyman Bashiri »

mm accuracy is barely needed in Architectural as built modeling. They used to do these kind of stuff with tape measure and never use any tool to measure the angles. As far as your model fits geometrically within the point clouds, it would be fine.
Muleymuel
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Re: 3D architectural modelling

Post by Muleymuel »

We always did our surveys with sketches, tape, disto and total station. A proportion of the market does require higher accuracy. It is that portion i am targetting since most architectural firms will do the surveys themselves, good for around 50mm! I suppose if i am going into 3D that is a different market altogether.
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