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The Advanced Guide to 3D Visualisering
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Advantage: Laser Surveying Can Provide Exhaustive Data
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One of the greatest drawbacks to manual surveys is their inability to provide exhaustive survey data. For example, if an engineering firm or manufacturing company needs to identify minuscule defects in parts or objects, laser scanning can reveal the problem areas using color mapping, which shows design inaccuracies in a different color than the rest of the part or product. The defect can then be resolved by editing a solid CAD model produced from the scanning data. Another example of how laser surveying provides exhaustive data can be seen in the use of laser surveying in crime scene reconstruction to judge bullet trajectory and create crime scene animations that provide valuable information about how a crime occurred.
Disadvantage: Laser Surveying Costs Slightly More than Manual Surveying
In terms of service fees, 3D laser scanning costs more than manual surveying. However, depending on the nature of the project, the cost of a manual surveying project can exceed the cost of a survey lasers project. Due to its quick, accurate data capture, laser surveying can complete a surveying project in as little as one surveying session, whereas the comparatively slow process of manual scanning can lead to significantly more billable time that negates the advantage of its slightly lower cost.
Advantage: The Elimination of Errors and Omissions from Survey Results
Unlike manual surveying and other surveying methods, laser surveying records the physical data of an entire space, environment or object, making it impossible to accidentally omit needed data from surveys. In addition, the flawless data capture capabilities of laser surveying produces accurate results the first time around, whereas manual surveying can require numerous surveying sessions to produce worthwhile results.
Disadvantage: The Size of Scanning Files
Although laser scanners produce flawless data results that can be edited and repurposed in a variety of ways using polygon mesh models, solid surface models and solid CAD models, customers must have the right computer hardware to accommodate the significant memory requirements of the data. For technical companies such as engineering firms and manufacturing companies, this typically isn't a problem. But it can pose a problem for organizations that don't use commercial grade computer hardware, such as police departments and small design firms.
Advantage: The Generation of 3D Files that are Faithful to Reality
If you have ever used the 2D information produced by manual surveying to make complex design decisions, then know how frustrating it can be to not have a 3D model of your subject. With laser surveying, this frustration is laid to rest. Whether the subject matter is a landscape, and interior space, a structure, a large object or a small object, laser scanning data allows you to observe your subject from multiple vantage points while using various data models.
When you get two strong market contenders the question always arises well which one is the best and what is it that makes it best? The same concept applies to almost any product and the world of animation software is no different.
Therefore, we look at the two major software being 3DMax and Maya. Everything has good and bad points and after all the two products are competitive against each other by their respective owners. The difference here is that both of these dynamic software packages are owned by the same Company. Now that does not make any sense that a company would compete against itself does it? The motive for the acquisition could be to buy the competitor out and then shelve the weaker of the two. This is not the case here however, as Autodesk now owns both 3D Max and Maya and does not intend to take either one of them off the market. It may not sound like it but their concept is very viable.
As we said both of these items, have their strengths and weaknesses but are well liked and well used in the industry. Autodesk simply 3D Visualisering has decided to take the weaknesses of both and strengthen them with the attributes from its counterpart.
Their strong points.
3D Max is a favorite with the architectural and visualization animators, whereas Maya is the one of choice for TV and film industry. 3D Max has great conceptual modeling tools, large-scale environment creation and works well with other Autodesk product lines to name a few of the main features. Maya on the other hand has amazing character rigging, animation layering as well as motion capture handling capabilities that surpass 3d Max.
Maya has great advantages over 3D Max regarding Nurbs modeling. This is because the software has taken on a different approach in this area, which means it is easier to utilize. Nurbs are complex surfaces it would be the technique you would use to create a polygon for example. The effects that the animator can get regarding fluid are impressive with Maya. It will allow very realistic simulations of fluid and gas reaction in the real and the ocean shader it has implemented produces astounding quality for water animation. In addition with Maya, you can free hand draw and utilize a 3D paint effects that include some special effects as well done with what is called Paint Effects.
To determine which is the best first depends on your budget as 3D Max is more affordable, but if your purpose is Architectural and Visualization then you aren't going to get a bargain because Maya is better suited here. For the special effects in animation then Maya is the choice. Finally, the decision will come down to what your computer can handle. Maya operates on Windows, Mac and Linux with Max being restricted to Window based systems only. In any event, with either one of these software packages you are going to have the best of both worlds.