[SirHackalot]

This comment almost made me quit my job and pursue my original passion in architecture. So the job was, all along, as fun as I imagined it… And the full-stack knowledge to make it happen is still rare? I am currently designing my house in Blender and was planning to import it into Unreal Engine to make it navigable. HN has a way of serving me the content I’m looking for at the right time…

[jondiggsit]

I love hearing statements like this.

I want to learn how to import into Unreal Engine... also throw a rocket launcher in there with some destruction physics.

I will caution tho, converting the Rhino models back into CAD for construction drawings, etc. is time consuming. One of my architects is skilled in Revit, but we haven't explored the real time rendering / 3d visualization abilities enough with it.

[swah]

>I want to learn how to import into Unreal Engine... also throw a rocket launcher in there with some destruction physics.

When they bail ?

[NuclearPM]

Start with a parametric program like solid works

[wlesieutre]

Revit is parametric, but something like Rhino (going off reputation, never used it myself) gives you more free-form modeling control.

It’s like starting with a pencil sketch instead of going straight to SolidWorks, once you start building that more nailed down drawing with its explicit flow of sketches and operations in relationship to each other, it becomes much harder to make large structural changes.

https://help.autodesk.com/view/RVT/2023/ENU/?guid=GUID-71F2C...

[adfm]

Rhino + Grasshopper is the gold standard for all the curvy geometry in anything resembling Zaha Hadid’s work. It is also parametric. There’s even a plug-in to use it inside Revit. Solidworks is great for designing the chassis, but the body was probably sketched in Rhino or Maya.

[embedding-shape]

> pursue my original passion in architecture

Do it! You have the knowledge, you have the interest, you now have confirmation someone else was able to do it, so can you! No time to wait, just jump in and start planning, then execute! I don't know why people hesitate so much, you do literally only live once, and who has time to sit around thinking "what if?" when we're old and just want to chill? Worst case scenario, you fail, learned a bunch, lean back on what supported you before, maybe in a slightly different way, but with so many more fun memories.

[quentindanjou]

> I don't know why people hesitate so much

Money? It's hard to stop getting revenue suddenly for an undetermined time. Especially with a family behind.

> Worst case scenario, you fail, learned a bunch, lean back on what supported you before

That's to my opinion very simplistic very often not true and dependent on the job market (which isn't that great right now!)

[embedding-shape]

They're a developer, money is probably a pretty weak excuse.

True, the job market is worse than it's been before, but it'll also eventually get better, as before. Things go up and down, can't really skip out on your dreams just because it's a bit difficult, then you're just giving up as easily as everyone else. Gotta fight a little :)

[markedathome]

You might want to look at these videos with regards to using archviz in Unreal Engine with a photogrammetry visual set. BIM output can be used if you have more experience with architectural CAD toolsets. The plugins are available now except the BIM which is slated to be open by the end of August/Summer.

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiiKeAlm6Ow This Put Me on Stage at Unreal Fest Chicago

[2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ehoHM-uzRQ From Scan to Stream: Open Pipelines for Large-Scale 3D in Unreal Engine

[ideasphere]

Blender has a wasd controller walk mode. Shortcut is shift + backtick

[jve]

Uhh, I have a laptop near me where I was planning to throw my drawing to get a 3D model in blender. I have no experience with blender, but I have a dwg file architect gave me (for a house where I already live in) and I was ready to make AI do the rest. I want to make some reconstruction, plan to buy/calculate stuff I need for the walls/floor, etc and just a fun project to visualize my home.

Anyways, I learned that AI can't read DWG, so converted it to DXF using trial AutoCAD. The LibreCAD couldn't even open my dwg as it was some newer version.

I also have a plan to make some "what-if" scenarios - we want to remodel kitchen, remove this wall, put this here and there... basically that can help visualize and that can understand how big stuff is to calculate BOM and such.

Is Blender OK for it or should I target some SketchUp for my "3D feel"? I'm looking forward to using some free tools.

Is there even a free cad alternative that would understand "newer" dwg file formats? Is there other software than AutoCAD with MCP capability that would allow navigate dwg/dxf?

[mikeaskew4]

None of it is very good yet. It’s got a long way to go.

[jimmySixDOF]

Freebird XR is available in blender plugins for VR display