When most people discuss 3D graphics, images of monsters or space ships come to mind. As an industry there is a tendency to focus primarily on the film, games and broadcast uses of 3D, but there are many other markets using 3D in clever ways today. One such clever artist is Juan Gonzales who uses 3D graphics to assist architects in rapid pre-visualization of their projects. Traditionally pre-visualization for architecture was either roughed out in sketches, which lacks the benefits of dimensionality, or painstakingly modeled into scale versions of the project with foam core which is a slow and expensive prospect. Today renegades like Juan are pushing the envelope of architectural pre-vis by leveraging rapid prototyping with 3D graphics. Luxology had a chance to catch up with Juan and discuss how he applies 3D technologies to move the architectural industry forward.

Lux: Please tell us a little bit about how you use 3D graphics within the architectural industry?

JJG: 3D graphics are becoming a fundamental piece in the pipeline of the architecture design process. From basic images in design phase to realistic final renders for public advertising, the demand of 3D is huge in this visualization market. This is a very technical market, with a lot of people working in CAD or "CAD-like" packages; which is simply the wrong way to develop models for visualization. I always work with a more artistic view, and here is where modo is the answer. modo provides a beautiful mix of natural artistic polygonal modeling with precise and real measured tools.

Lux: How long have you had modo?

JJG: I purchased modo in the first days of its' public release. From the very beginning I always thought that modo could be a next step in my 3D pipeline. I was searching for a modeler with this kind of art friendly workflow and modo was the solution.

Lux: How long did it take you to learn modo enough to use it for actual production work?

JJG: I used modo in production from first day. I find it incredibly easy to learn, and very stable. The default menus, views and hotkeys work well from the beginning, and of course, modo's incredible interface make things easy to use and to reconfigure. modo has simply the best user interface I have ever seen. You can make anything that you want.

Lux: What other software were you also familiar with?

JJG: I work with Softimage XSI and Lightwave 3D, using Photoshop for 2D work.

Lux: How well does modo integrate with the rest of your production pipeline?

JJG: I had no problem with integration of modo into my pipeline. I use native LWO format out of modo to render into Lightwave, and I use OBJ format to export modo models to XSI. Importing OBJ models into XSI works fine, because XSI create clusters for each layer and for each material, so managing modo models in XSI is very easy.

Lux: How much work did you have to do to integrate modo?

JJG: I love a lot of the features that modo has. For example, boolean operations, the tool handles, custom macros, dynamic workplanes, object management with layers, action centers, selection modes, etc. The combination of these tools allows modo to provide a new approach for architecture and technical modelers. It is a fun and useful environment, much more oriented to the creative process than a cold CAD package. With modo you are free to develop more lifelike models. You have the workflow required to make fast changes in models and work within the constraints of quick-turn projects.