I work for an Architectural firm, and we are looking for a software solution for our renderings that are we are having to do more and more now. We have one seat of 3ds Max Design, and i think this is the way to go, since we are currently switching to Revit Architecture and the worflow between the two programs is very easy to use. We also Sketchup, and have tried a program called Antics 3D, which was really clunky looking. we also have someone who is familiar with Maya, which is compatible with Revit as well. Since these are Architecttural rendering, and not going to be modeled in the rendering program, the clear solution, to me, is 3ds Max Design, especially since we have a network license, and it can be deployed across the office using Backburner. any thoughts on this.

sounds like you are going in the right direction.

SketchUp is MUCH easier to use right off the bat...especially for quick concept generation.  You could use a rendering plugin with Sketchup and be ready to go.  also check out Piranesi
http://www.piranesi.co.uk

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We have one seat of 3ds Max Design, and i think this is the way to go, since we are currently switching to Revit Architecture and the worflow between the two programs is very easy to use.

This should be good if you use Max just for rendering -

especially since we have a network license, and it can be deployed across the office using Backburner. any thoughts on this.

the great thing about Max and Backburner is you only need to have one licensed copy of Max on your workstation, but can install Max and Backburner on as many machines as you can get your hands on for rendering. So all those CAD workstations that may normally sit idle or off overnight, can join in the rendering when not in use and really speed up the rendering process.

thanks for the input. i think 3dS Max Design is the way to go for us for our Photo-realistic renderings and animations we may need to produce. we will still use Sketch-up for the quick stuff i think.