Based on AV Menezes, MP Lima, Autodesk 3Ds Max is an integrated environment to creating the professional quality 3D models. Photo-realistic still images and film-quality animations can be created on a computer by using these models. Autodesk 3Ds Max supports the construction for various kinds of the 3D objects. Meanwhile, the landscapes of any type can be created from these objects and characters too. All of these objects able to arranged in the settings and environments. These environments form the basis of the scenes. The characters and objects can be animated, such as setting them in motion like making them speak, sing and dance and kick. The whole virtual world can be captured as a film sequence.
Besides that, D Brooker (2009) also mention the Autodesk 3Ds Max is a rich modeling environment that supports a wide range of modeling techniques from low polygon modeling to modeling with compound objects to mesh modeling which all the way to NURBS modeling. Once the basic models have been constructed, the users able to assign the different textures in order to improve the user's perception of realism. In order to complete the scene, the different light sources can be added in for illuminate the scene. The cameras are also can be added for capture other parts of the scene at the different time intervals.
According from Alessandro (2010), "The Viewport Canvas Slate node-based material editor and Quicksilver Hardware Renderer help me work faster and better on everyday work." He mention that he able to done his works more faster and better with using the Autodesk 3Ds Max because the Autodesk 3Ds Max having some research and the feedback from the consumers in order to build a more better 3D modeling tools.
2.1.1 Strengths of Autodesk 3Ds Max
Smart Data Workflows
According from Autodesk, Inc (2010), Autodesk3Ds Max able help the developers to manage the resources better, save time, and deliver with more higher-precision results with new workflows. Developers also able to refining the 3D models that created by using other Autodesk modeling tools, such as Autodesk Revit, Autodesk FBX, Autodesk AutoCAD and etc, which mean that the Autodesk 3Ds Max is able to compatibility with other to save the developers time and resources. Besides that, the Autodesk 3Ds Max also having new technique which call Autodesk Materials Library that can help to simplify data exchange with other Autodesk modeling tools and also the model files from Google SketchUp.
Refine Your Design
Alessandro (2010) stated that productivity enhancements in this Autodesk 3Ds Max mean more time to iterate on the design, enabling the developer to produce higher quality results with more creative designs. The Expanded Graphite and Viewport Canvas toolsets deliver intuitive new brush-based interfaces for the 2D or 3D painting, object placement and the texture editing, while a new in-context direct manipulation UI able to helps to make the polygon modeling faster. Meanwhile, the enhanced ability to view most 3D texture maps and materials in the viewport, so that the developers can make interactive decisions in a higher fidelity context which can helping to reduce the errors and saving time.
Higher-Quality Presentations in Less Time
According to Autodesk, Inc (2010), the developers able to use the Autodesk 3Ds Max to doing the presentation for their 3D models design even still in the design process. In this Autodesk 3Ds Max having some tools that able to create some interaction like the lighting effects, model viewing and movement that can help to let developers more easily to present their design.
Modeling and Texturing Enhancements
Based on Pergamon Press, Inc (2010), the image textures can be created easily but it is hard to produce the image textures that lookalike real textures and it is important to produce the lookalike real textures images when doing the virtual reality models. Pergamon Press, Inc mentions that with this Autodesk 3Ds Max able to using the toolsets that extend the Graphite and Viewport Canvas to easily create and editing the texturing for the 3D models.
Google SketchUp Importer
Alessandro (2010) stated that after the Autodesk 3Ds Max able to import the Google SketchUp sketching files, the more projects able to getting from the markets because some of the clients able to create some 3D models concept design that in their mind. Besides that, Autodesk, Inc (2010) also stated that the main entities inside the Google SketchUp able to work with this Autodesk 3Ds Max, such as layers, groups, cameras, daylight system and the components materials.
2.1.2 Weaknesses of Autodesk 3Ds Max
Time consuming to creating complex models
According to Machinimart (2010), if want to create the credible visual model that having a lot of different lighting will consume a lot of times to done. Although the Autodesk 3Ds Max has provided some lighting tools, but those tools still not intelligent enough for the developer and some of the lighting might need combining with different camera angle in order to create a better lighting for the 3D models.
Longer learning curve
According to Debbie Law (2009), for the novice who want to learning the 3D modeling by using the Autodesk 3Ds Max will require more efforts and time to learn how to use it compare to the Google SketchUp which is more suitable for those novices. There are a lot of the shortcut key which call hotkeys that can help the developers to calling the functions more faster, and for those novices might need to take some time to remember those hotkeys in order to be more efficiency to design the 3D models.
2.2 What is Google SketchUp?
According to Google (2010), Google SketchUp is a 3D modeling tools that developed by Google. It is designed for the architects, civil engineers, filmmakers, game developers, and related professions. It also includes features to facilitate the placement of models in Google Earth. The Google SketchUp also designed to be easier to use than other 3D modeling tools.
According to Daniel Tal (2010), Google SketchUp was initially embraced by the architecture and construction industries, but over time it has become an indispensable tool for the product designers, landscape and gardening designers, urban planners, interior designers film and theater directors, inventors, game designers, and many other professions where visualizing objects is key.
Meanwhile, Google (2010) also mention that the Google SketchUp has the experience of years of designers packed into its design, and with these smarts Google SketchUp can often guess pretty closely what the users trying to do. Google SketchUp also automates many of the manual processes for the users, leaving users free to play with the design.
According to Mancini and Gyan (2009), Google SketchUp is quite unique compared to other 3D modeling tools. Google SketchUp can makes the accessible to all users works which similarly to sketching the ideas on a simple piece of paper. Mancini (2009) also mention that tried to sketch on the share of paper scraps before, but it is easier to keep those models organized in Google SketchUp than littering in the study room.
2.2.1 Strengths of Google SketchUp
Easy To Use
According to Prem (2009), the Google SketchUp able to draw and design the 3D models that wanted to design, because the Google SketchUp is simple to use and provide some design suites that allow the developers to sketch the 3D models with simple lines, colors, shadow, lighting and so on. Besides that, Google SketchUp also is good for doing some 3D models concepts which easy to use and save up a lot of times.
Import, Build, Test
According to Nimai (2009), sometime will import the Google SketchUp file to other 3D modeling tools to continue modify the 3D model design, and also able to import other 3D model files that created by other 3D modeling tools too. Besides that, RemodelingMySpace (2010) mention that the Google SketchUp is easy to build or redesign the 3D models and view for checking the 3D models which also can ask the clients to test and check the 3D models whether correct or not.
Higher-Quality Documents in Less Time
Based on Pergamon Press, Inc (2010), "The well-designed documents for the 3D models are also important during the presentations.". Mean that the layout of the document for the 3D models must be well designed before start the presentations. According to Nimai (2009), with Google SketchUp LayOut feature, developers can create the multi-page document with the different styles that users wanted, measurements for the 3D models, view and the perspectives for those high-resolution digital presentations. Besides that, those entire documents will automatically update when modifying the 3D models.
Smart Modeling Conversion
According to Suresh (2009), by using this Google SketchUp able to print the build designs for doing the presentation. Google SketchUp able to help to convert the 3D models design into the 2D prints, and also able to add the text, annotation, measurements, whatever information that wanted to add, and it able to help to make the presentation look more professional.
Self-Paced Tutorials and Support
According to Google (2010), Google SketchUp is very simple to use and the support also easily accessible because Google SketchUp having a blog that user can sharing their experiences and always can get help from there. Besides that, Google SketchUp also is open to developers that would like to add some value, like provide some analysis data for the 3D model designs. Meanwhile, according to Jose (2010), if the user is learning by self doing, then the Google SketchUp Help Center has become the best place to get some basic tutorials.
2.2.2 Weaknesses of Google SketchUp
Limited In Design
According to Chandra (2009), the Google SketchUp might not able to build some complex 3D model designs which Google SketchUp doesn't provide the features. Although the Google SketchUp can easily to build the 3D models, but most of the complex parts that needed still need to use other 3D modeling tools to done the designs.
Not able to get the accurate modeling
Based on Preston (2010), if wanted to create an accurate 3D models, the Google SketchUp might not a suitable tool because Google SketchUp not able to accurate as other 3D modeling tools like Autodesk 3Ds Max. The measurement tools inside the Google SketchUp is not like other 3D modeling tools, it provide some basic measurement for the 3D model design, if want to make the design into more accuracy, need using other 3D modeling tools to import the Google SketchUp files to done it, like Autodesk 3Ds Max.
2.4 Chapter Summary
Both Autodesk 3Ds Max and Google SketchUp 3D modeling tool has own strengths and weakness. The user may be varied for different scenario to decide which type of 3D modeling tools should be used. The Google SketchUp is always the best choice for the novice which just starting to learn about the 3D modeling, because the Google SketchUp is more easy to use than the Autodesk 3Ds Max. Meanwhile, The Autodesk 3Ds Max is highly recommended for those except and professional level developers which need to design the more complex 3D models.
In next chapter will look into the features that provided by the Autodesk 3Ds Max and the Google SketchUp and will doing some comparing for those features.
