Foundation 3ds Max 8 Architectural Visualization

I feel fortunate to be part of the 3D world at a time when it appears that the real world is c- pletely embracing our work. My long-time friend Brian Zajac started in the 3D business a long time ago, when a typical workstation cost $100,000, and a simple animation that today would take only minutes to render took weeks. He gave up 3D and turned his sights to a career in web design where he wouldn’t have to wait so long to see the fruits of his labor. Many architectural visualization c- panies struggled to survive these early days of 3D, when the software lacked the quality that many clients demanded, and the cost of equipment was a great a burden to manage. But just like the c- version from hand-drawn architectural blueprints to computer-aided drafting in the 90s, 3D visu- izations have gained the necessary backing to make our work the standard—before long it will be the norm. Now anyone with enough drive and desire can start a 3D visualization business from their own home with just a single computer. With new developments in chip technology on the horizon, such as the much anticipated Cell chip, the near future promises even greater power for all of us to build better scenes and render them in a fraction of the time it takes today.

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Since 1997, Brian L. Smith has worked as a computer-aided design manager and animation specialist in architectural, engineering, and landscaping firms in southwest Florida. He started his own company in 2001, specializing in the production of architectural animations and renderings in 3ds Max. He is the cofounder of 3D Architectural Solutions in Sarasota, Florida, and is currently an instructor at the Autodesk Authorized Training Center, Planet Digital Education, in Orlando (www.planetdigital.com), where he teaches 3ds Max for the visualization industry. A portfolio of his work can be seen at www.3das.com. Brian graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point with a major in aerospace engineering. He served on active duty, and later in the Florida Army National Guard, including two years as a battery commander, responsible for a short-range air defense battery of over 100 soldiers. Following 9/11, he served in Washington, D.C. as an air defense artillery fire control officer, working closely with the U.S. Secret Service, the U.S. Air Force, and the Federal Aviation Administration to provide air defense coverage of Washington, D.C. In 2005, he deployed numerous times with his unit to provide humanitarian relief to hurricane victims along the Gulf Coast.