Job: Is there such a thing as 3D building modelers?

[Coldkilla]

I've been trying to find a career that would fit my personality for the longest time. I've been using photoshop since version 4, I've been using video editing programs like Sony Vegas/Adobe Premiere/AfterEffects for years, I find joy in being as detailed as I can on the tiniest of things, and don't know if I can apply these skills to a career. I tried programming, hated that, tried pc engineering, hated that. Now I've come to realize that I could potentially continue in school under some sort of graphics degree that would allow me to utilize the skills I currently have even more.

I was wondering: Are there careers out there in which people can take the architect's building plans, and create a 3D flythrough model for the entire building(s)? If I had a 'job title', I would love to do some research on the subject. I'm just a little pressed for time now and don't know the term I'm searching for.

Can yall help me out?

 

[Throckmorton]

Interior design

 

[Coldkilla]

Wow I am an idiot -- I remember the term now. Thanks!

Wait, does Interior design automatically mean: 3D Modeling Application(s) to create the inside/outside of a buildings floorplans? Or is there a certain aspect of Interior Design that I would be looking for?

 

[ISAslot]

That job is mostly replaced by software. With autodesk Revit. You draw the floor plan, and it automatically converts it into a 3 dimensional space. I suppose you can just be an architect now and do the 3D stuff. It's not hard anymore.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

yes. larger firms often employ inside or outside people to do modelling and renderings. There are several industry software packages they use. I don't know what job titles they typically have, but I suspect that many have a background in design or architecture as well as computer skills.

http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/egr/452161200.html
http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/job-JTSYQYY6YZM
http://www.designcommunity.com/marketplace/2690.html


http://www.ardigitech.com/3d-a...tectural-rendering.htm

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

Originally posted by: Throckmorton
Interior design

Interior design has nothing to do with the OP's question, except that it is a related field to architecture.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

Originally posted by: ISAslot
That job is mostly replaced by software. With autodesk Revit. You draw the floor plan, and it automatically converts it into a 3 dimensional space. I suppose you can just be an architect now and do the 3D stuff. It's not hard anymore.

It is much more complicated than that. There is a LOT of additional work to be done for professional-level rendering and modeling. What you're talking about may be used for in-house use, but the models and graphical work done for public consumption are often much more complicated and refined.

 

[Coldkilla]

Well I was looking up this on BLS.gov and it says they only make 30-44k a year? I make 37k now, is that really worth 4 more years of college? Do these types of jobs (3d modeling/renderings) pay more? I'm just scared that 4 more years of college, setting me back 10s of thousands will not get me a better paying job than I currently have now.

I know its a matter of, "well if you love it, at least you'll like your job", but are there better paying careers related to this field? Or was BLS just generalizing "graphic arts"? Also, if Interior design has nothing to do with my question, what is this job called?

 

[Throckmorton]

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats

Originally posted by: Throckmorton
Interior design

Interior design has nothing to do with the OP's question, except that it is a related field to architecture.

Yeah you're right. I should have said to check into it but I was in a hurry. He said he wants to do flythroughs though.


If you want to model whole landscapes, not just individual buildings, I think landscape architects do that. In GIS we have modelling programs like what you are talking about, but modelling the landscape accurately using satellite data or surveying and locating buildings with GPS or imagery are important parts of it. Not exactly what the OP wants, but something to look into.

 

[BoomerD]

Architectural offices (bigger ones) hire people to do this kind of work all the time. Often, it's done by in-house architects, but some companies, if they're big enough, hire people whose main task is 3-D model building.
We were just discussing this in one of my architecture classes last week.

 

[Metron]

You might also look into CAD drafting for aerospace.

All of the large firms hire 3D designers whose sole job is to create highly detailed 3D models in AutoCAD, CATIA, Pro/Engineer, etc.

 

[Modelworks]

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/s...=4221521&siteID=123112

Look for jobs that specify the above appilcation and I think you will find what you are looking for.
I started out on the architectural side of things but have moved on to more mainstream 3d, characts, animations, etc.

A good place to start is small contractors trying to pitch there bid for a job on single family homes. Most of these don't have the budget to pay large firms and if you have samples of your work they are usually very interested.

oh and the technical term for the job is architectural visualization
http://www.cgarchitect.com/default.asp

 

[Coldkilla]

So you are saying to look for jobs that use the 'autodesk VIZ' program?

 

[bignateyk]

Architecture? Architectural Engineering?

 

[Epic Fail]

The drafting job you want is for new hires, the pay is very low, I don't think you would make a career out of doing it for life.