AutoCAD vs 3DS VIZ vs Lightscape

[acad_2k]

I've been using AutoCAD 2000 since about 2001 and have had no need to upgrade since most of my work is 2D working drawings for small residential and commercial projects. At that time, I also purchased 3D Studio VIZ 3.0 and Lightscape 3.2. The latter two programs have sat on a shelf since because I simply have not had the time to learn how to use them. I also own and occasionally use Architectural Desktop 2004 for 3D space planning presentation drawings.

 

I have had numerous furniture design ideas bouncing around in my head and on random scaps of paper that I would like to produce 3D models and renderings for. My goal is to have 2D working drawings so that the furniture pieces can be fabricated but I would also like to produce rendered models for presentation and marketing purposes. I am very comfortable with Autocad and have done some modelling of architectural elements with it but as I stated, I have no experience with VIZ or LS.

 

Considering the tools I have on hand, what would be the best way to utilize them? Do I need all three or can I draw and model in AutoCad then go straight to LS or should I draw in Autocad (2D), model in VIZ and render in LS? What are the strengths and weaknesses of these programs (other than being old and outdated)?

[Cad64]

12 hours ago, acad_2k said:

What are the strengths and weaknesses of these programs (other than being old and outdated)?

 

I think you hit the nail on the head. "Old and outdated" are the keywords. You will need to check the import and export settings of all your programs and see what file types each can work with. That will be a good starting point in determining what you can or can't do with each program.

[acad_2k]

Thanks for your response. My understanding at the time of purchase was that these three programs (current versions at the time) were optimized to work together, so I'll assume there is no issue in that respect.

 

I'd like to hear from anyone who has used these programs and how they used them.

[Cad64]

I never used 3D Studio VIZ, but I did use 3D Studio Max quite extensively for many years. I would typically draw my 2D plans in Autocad and then import them into Studio Max to use as a template for creating models. And I did all my rendering inside Studio Max so I didn't have any need for programs like Lightscape.

 

Have you checked out the tutorials section? You might be able to get some of your questions answered here: https://www.cadtutor.net/tutorials/3ds-max/index.php

[acad_2k]

Thanks for the link, looks like some great information there.

 

From what I've read, VIZ and MAX, at least the earlier versions were basically the same program, VIZ being paired down for more static designs such as buildings which is why I purchased it.