Is similar approach to modeling as in CAD, Rhino or Sketchup possible for Max?

[infoA4S4U]

Hi there,

that's my first entry in this forum, but hopefully not the last. So let me introduce myself - I'm a 3D visual artist from Germany, who only recently switched to Max + Corona, after working in this field for 7+ years, using Rhino + V-Ray. My customers are mostly investors, in the process of developing new city quarters. So, it's often large, multistorey buildings I get to visualize. And not only that, but as these aren't really conceptualized, I also get/have to design the facades from scratch during the visualization process. This means, I don't build the facades after floor plans, sections and sideviews, but create them, based on the wishes and feedback from the customers. As you may imagine, this leads to lots of changes and reworking the geometry. (to not spam you with images, check the gallery of my site, if you're interested to see the kind of project I usually work on: https://www.helldoor.net/rendering/)
Having used Rhino for so many years, I'm pretty quick with this workflow there, but in Max it takes me way too long. Apart from me being a Max-rookie, I still think, that the idea is, that people should use the whole Autodesk package - AutoCAD, Fusion and Max to make things work, the way I imagine it. But honestly, I cannot afford all that. 
Let me clarify something - I get, that the way Rhino and Max work is pretty different (Nurbs etc.), but I still think, that some rudimentary functions in terms of modeling are missing from Max. My online searches led me to the DesignToolBox plugin, which I downloaded as a Demo and plan to try out in the next days. Generally, I guess that's the directions of plugins I'm looking for, but I don't seem to find anything else, beside DTB.

So, do you guys know some other methods or plugins to make Max modeling more convenient for my kind of usage - kinda like CAD, Sketchup or Rhino type of modeling? I thank you in advance for every hint and clue!

Best regards
Helldoor

PS_ I also tried furtherly working in Rhino and exporting to Max as FBX, but this makes the Max files bloat up and isn't really the way I want to go for the next years.

[dgorsman]

Check the collection licenses - most of them include 3DSMAX as an advanced visualization tool, and some include AutoCAD as well.

From your description, Fusion360 may not be the best tool.  It's mainly targeted at mechanical, rather than architectural, design.  Revit is the usual selection for that, although a bit more complicated.  Learning at least the basics would also be beneficial as future projects and clients will likely be using that.

[infoA4S4U]

Thanks a lot for your answer!

You're right, my bad - it's more Revit, than Fusion that would suite my needs. I remember taking a small course on it back in the day during my Masters (around 2011), but I don't think I would still know how to use it... 
So, how do you think's the whole process going to look like - modeling in Revit and linking the model to Max, so everytime changes to the building facade in Revit are made, the Max model updates along? And is modeling in Revit actually precise and architecture-friendly* like in a CAD software or Rhino (and partially in SketchUp)? When I'm out of work, I will probably download a Revit demo and try it out.
I checked the collection prices - 3,600€/yearly. A bit heavy for someone self-employed or at least for me =]

Anyway, gotta somehow find a way to change my current 'RhinoExport-MaxImport' workflow. Let's see how it goes!
Have a good day and stay healthy!

* what I mean by that is, that in terms of precision, aligning, orienting, refencing and guidance Max is a bit tough; just think about some CAD software you've used and how quickly you can adjust one object to another (for example), without having to enter some sublevel of a poly, reposition the object pivot etc...

[leeminardi]

I do not consider 3ds Max a CAD product used to create precise geometry.  Almost all users eye-ball dimensions with the end goal of generating a good looking rendering or animation.   YOu are not going to produce dimensioned drawings from Max or generate a CNC program. Not only are the tools in 3ds Max primitive for specifying precise dimensions  but the Max database is limited to 7 significant figures (compared to AutoCAD's 15 significant figures).    

I would consider using Revit (an Industrial-Strength Sketchup) for creating your architectural models with a link to Max.  I have limited experience maintaining a live link between the two systems but think it is manageable.   

[infoA4S4U]

Thanks, lee!

I guess there are lots of fields in the 3D branche, where precision isn't that important (e.g. creating a gun for an FPS,  making the blood cell flow for a medical animation etc.) - as you said, it has to look good and that's all. When it comes to architecture, even interiors don't need that much precision, from what I've seen so far. 
In my case however, I often have to build a lot of urban and surrounding space, based on plans I have to follow pretty strictly. And as for the facades - I guess it also makes a big difference, if these are already designed, in which case one can model an entire facade out of an editable poly or alternatively using tools like RailClone. If the buildings have to be developed during the visualization process however, then maybe the better way is to find some support tools or really work with a Revit model, linked to the renderable Max-file.... 
I watched some videos on the ways of working with a linked Revit-to-Max file. Looked fairly simple. On the negative side of things, this means I'll have to buy an additional software and - what's more - have to learn an additional software again.
But yeah, that's the way it is, I guess.

Thx again and have a nice eve!