MoreBiDirectionalistically

In regards to the previous post I want to answer a comment left by Chris (and thank him for asking!)...So here 'goes.

Chris said...Do you know what advantages this offers, compared to Autodesk's now-recommended FBX workflow? -Tuesday, July 08, 2008

Well as I said, I will be looking at this and posting some results in the near future but from discussions with visualization colleagues (who I trust) and from what research I have already done, the possibilities to round trip objects back and forth without polygon loss is in itself a step above straight FBX-to-MAX (until (if) ADSK allows this directly in their products)!!! I suggest you hit the discussion groups (use the Google machine) and see what you can see as to what other people are experiencing with Revit's FBX to MAX... As to Npower's solution here is what they say on this page:

"...The 3ds Max nPower advanced visualization environment provides your Revit model with infinite resolution surfaces producing stunning photo-real surfaces that you can easily cut away and reveal without rendering artifacts. Easily create close-up renderings without conventional polygon faceting by easily controlling the level of detail on any selected Revit object. Compress your Revit model data structures to the absolute smallest memory footprint with our Power Cache technology giving you the extra space you need to render hi resolution large format images. Organize your Revit model in Max with our advanced Revit Material support by layer and an easy to browse instanced multi-sub object material. Collaborate with other CAD applications like Inventor and Rhino to produce highly accurate complex design and planning visualizations. Conceptualize freeform volumes, structures and shapes from furniture to light fixtures with the industry's most flexible solid modeler and then export them directly to Revit for dimensioning and construction. If you’re looking for a Revit to Max and back solution that will give you the edge in the world of architectural visualization then..."

I find it interesting (or #@*^!) that ADSK says that "interoperability" is a main concern and push for them (see any keynote speach from the recent past...AU, etc...) since it seems that other companies write code to get more interoperability out of ADSK products than they do themselves. Behemoths move so slow and ultimately go the way of the dinosaur if they don't learn to adapt and respond faster. But perhaps my view is a bit harsh since Npower is part of ADSK's ADN (advanced developer network). I comment because I love.

With that rant over (for now) here are a few more assets I found while bouncing around the Web... Autodesk has some FBX and other videos at: This Site!!! that are worth a look.

Oh and BTFW: I just nearly soiled my armour when I came across this tidbit: Click This if you dare!!! ADSK and who are going to become interoperable? Bentley?... Seems so... Has Robert Aish put something up ADSK's sleeve??? I can only hope. Perhaps ADSK stock is a good thing; it is up nearly a dollar per share today; Now if they'd only get their own products interoperable with each other...