How far do you push your modeling?

[Noahma]

Our office is just shy of implementing ACA fully, about 90% of our work are large custom homes, the one thing I am wondering is How far do other offices push the 3d modeling? We are doing everything in 2d at the moment, and find quite a bit of it faster than modeling out stuff, for example window trim, and fine entry details. I know there is a line between what to model, and what to do on your elevations as line work. We are of course looking for the fastest way to do the designs, pull elevations and get section / structural details from the model with little time having to fiddle with them to get them to look right. I think we should model as much as possible, but trying to do it quickly may make some of the modeled items not worth the time invested.

[Bloodwig80]

You should look into creating a library of parts that you can insert into your models. This will save you a lot of modeling time, however someone will have to sit there for a couple of weeks creating this library of parts. It has to be well organized and has to be made with editability in mind (aka not a slop job)

For example, there's no point in modeling window trim every time you start a new project, just have someone create different files with window trims in different lengths. Then when you need one you just insert it and keep working.

[Noahma]

You should look into creating a library of parts that you can insert into your models. This will save you a lot of modeling time, however someone will have to sit there for a couple of weeks creating this library of parts. It has to be well organized and has to be made with editability in mind (aka not a slop job)

For example, there's no point in modeling window trim every time you start a new project, just have someone create different files with window trims in different lengths. Then when you need one you just insert it and keep working.


that is a great idea, most of our designs are one-offs though. We do have a "standards" catalog that has our door / window / wall / stair ect. stuffs in it, maybe adding some of the common window trims will help a bit.