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THE INTERIOR DESIGN REFERENCE + SPECIFICATION BOOK
Text
THREE-DIMENSIONAL DESIGN SOF TWARE
Three-dimensional design applications, often referred to as modeling software, enable interior
designers to imagine the space and details of their design as volumetric projections. These
models can be used for analytic study in the development of details and as representations
of the project as it evolves—complete with accurate material, lighting, and atmospheric
qualities. Three-dimensional design programs offer great potential for engaging directly with
a design as it is being created, though they are not without their limits. Several options avail-
able to the designer are outlined below.
Three-dimensional modeling applications are often categorized by the types of objects they
create; that is, as either surface modelers or solid modelers. While several applications can
produce both solid and surface types, most specialize in one or the other. Not all available
applications are designed for interior visualization, and any decision to purchase software
should be considered carefully alongside issues of licensing and training.
Surface Modelers
Surface models are constructed by drawing three-dimensional splines and using a sweep func-
tion to form a surface; by making meshes that are then lofted and transformed into design
objects; or by creating a parametric surface that responds to changes in control points and
control polygons—also known as NURBS (Non-uniform Rational B-Spline). In a surface model,
faces and segments can easily be transformed, attached, and accumulated to create complex
forms. Surface modelers are especially useful in rapid prototyping scenarios, where the
designer desires the direct translation of the model to a physical object. One chief drawback
is how easy it is to delete individual surfaces, thus opening the precise modeling process to
error.
Solid Modelers
Solid modeling applications create objects that have closed geometries; a cube, for example,
can only be solid if it has six sides whose segments coincide with each other. Such an object
is considered to be well formed and therefore solid. Solid models are well suited to archi-
tecture and interior design practices, as they function in a way similar to the construction
process: Objects are decided on, created, and accumulated to form the intended design. This
cumulative approach is ideal for the creation of spaces that have a lot of detail and tectonic
qualities. In addition, various functions (copy, rotate, scale, etc.) can be used to alter the solid
after it has been created to reach the desired shape.
Boolean Operations
Solid models can also be affected by subtractive and additive functions known as Boolean
operations. Boolean operators can subtract solid volumes from each other, add volumes to-
gether, and split volumes into their component pieces, so that from an original object come a
number of resultant objects. Booleans depend on the order of objects picked. In the following
diagrams, the lowe
Union: One Solid
Original Objects
Surface Model
An example of a surface model shows the
profile line and the surface object. Surfaces
have no implicit volume.
Solid Model
Solid models have volume, and must have all
faces of the object closed along their con-
necting edges.
profile
revolved object
face
edge or segment
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Drawing Basics
Text
Three-dimensional design applications, often referred to as modeling software, enable interior
a design as it is being created, though they are not without their limits. Several options avail-
Surface models are constructed by drawing three-dimensional splines and using a sweep func
-
control polygons—also known as NURBS (Non-uniform Rational B-Spline). In a surface model,
faces and segments can easily be transformed, attached, and accumulated to create complex
Solid Modelers
Solid modeling applications create objects that have closed geometries; a cube, for example,
can only be solid if it has six sides whose segments coincide with each other. Such an object
is considered to be well formed and therefore solid. Solid models are well suited to archi-
tecture and interior design practices, as they function in a way similar to the construction
process: Objects are decided on, created, and accumulated to form the intended design. This
cumulative approach is ideal for the creation of spaces that have a lot of detail and tectonic
qualities. In addition, various functions (copy, rotate, scale, etc.) can be used to alter the solid
after it has been created to reach the desired shape.
Boolean Operations
Solid models can also be affected by subtractive and additive functions known as Boolean
operations. Boolean operators can subtract solid volumes from each other, add volumes to-
gether, and split volumes into their component pieces, so that from an original object come a
number of resultant objects. Booleans depend on the order of objects picked. In the following
diagrams, the lower rectangular volume was picked first.
Union: One Solid Difference: One Solid Intersection: One Solid Split: Two Solids
Original Objects
edge or segment
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THE INTERIOR DESIGN REFERENCE + SPECIFICATION BOOK
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Translation and Limitations
Most three-dimensional drawing applications write les in a format native to their application;
however, several le export types are available for translation to other platforms and pro-
grams. As with two-dimensional applications, the most common are DXF and DWG, which, be-
ing proprietary to Autodesk, are susceptible to change with each new release. Other formats
include 3DMF, OBJ, and 3DS.
Several companies have begun to offer seamless translation from one program to another
for enhanced rendering and animation. These translations allow models to be updated in one
application—a BIM, for instance—and have it rendered in another to examine how spatial
changes in the design affect light and material. All translations change the information in the
model, and it is a good idea to conrm the best format for a particular project.
Building Information Modelers
The limits of solid and surface modelers are similar to those of two-dimensional
technologies, in that the information (except for some parametric data control in
NURBS objects) cannot represent the exact nature and process for building an
interior. By contrast, building information modelers, or BIMs, are an emerging
technology in the architecture, interior design, and construction management worlds
that enable the designer—or team of designers—to create a complete, functional,
though virtual, representation of a space as it is being designed.
In a BIM system, all of the elements of a building are modeled using parametric ob-
jects: objects that have parameters (materiality, width, height, mass, or cost) that can
be changed as the design develops. The result is a precise simulation of the design
in terms of aesthetics, cost, and building performance. All typical two-dimensional
drawings, schedules, and details are derived from an active three-dimensional model,
and any changes made to the base model are instantly reected in the documenta-
tion required for the project. This allows for more time spent designing and less time
documenting, maximizing the opportunity to explore the design in full.
(REFER TO THE RESOURCES CHAPTER FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND LINKS TO SOFTWARE VENDORS.)
3-D MODELING SOFTWARE
Application Solid Surface Animation Platform Price
AutoCAD
3D Studio
Blender 3D
Cinema 4D
Maya
Modo
LightWave
Form•Z
Cheetah3D
SketchUp
BUILDING INFORMATION MODELERS
Application Solid Surface Animation Platform Price
Revit
ArchiCAD
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Drawing Basics
Text
Translation and Limitations
Most three-dimensional drawing applications write les in a format native to their application;
however, several le export types are available for translation to other platforms and pro-
grams. As with two-dimensional applications, the most common are DXF and DWG, which, be-
ing proprietary to Autodesk, are susceptible to change with each new release. Other formats
include 3DMF, OBJ, and 3DS.
Several companies have begun to offer seamless translation from one program to another
for enhanced rendering and animation. These translations allow models to be updated in one
application—a BIM, for instance—and have it rendered in another to examine how spatial
changes in the design affect light and material. All translations change the information in the
model, and it is a good idea to conrm the best format for a particular project.
(REFER TO THE RESOURCES CHAPTER FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND LINKS TO SOFTWARE VENDORS.)
3-D MODELING SOFTWARE
Application Solid Surface Animation Platform Price
AutoCAD
× ×
Windows ****
3D Studio
× × ×
Windows ****
Blender 3D
× ×
OS X, Windows,
Linux
free
Cinema 4D
×
OS X, Windows ****
Maya
× ×
OS X, Windows,
Linux
*****
Modo
×
OS X, Windows ***
LightWave
× ×
OS X, Windows ****
Form•Z
× × ×
OS X, Windows ****
Cheetah3D
× ×
OS X *
SketchUp
× ×
OS X, Windows
free for personal
use, ** for pro use
BUILDING INFORMATION MODELERS
Application Solid Surface Animation Platform Price
Revit
× × ×
Windows ****
ArchiCAD
× × ×
OS X, Windows ****
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