Week 5 - Lab

Strengths, Weaknesses and Opportunities of SolidWorks, 3DS, Crysis Workflow.

The initial processes involved with the SolidWorks, 3DS and Crysis workflow were quite intimidating. Having very limited experience with 3D Studio Max the intricate settings required to successfully achieve the desired output were quite confusing. After already being familiar with the workflow between SketchUp and Crysis I found it hard adapting to the new software. However having said that, after watching the tutor explain the process multiple times, and referring to the provided documentation I familiarised myself within a few hours of using it all. I think that this particular workflow is not very user friendly. With lots of steps to remember, and many different file extensions I don't think that simply anyone could complete this.
Once the user is efficient with the process there are definitely many strengths of this workflow. Being able to apply as many textures as you please to any surface, as well as being able to adjust the size and angle of the texture on its surface. The biggest strength of the process comes in SolidWorks. Its ability to model up complex shapes and assemblies is astounding. However this potential is let down when it comes to 3DS Max. Max cannot export to the appropriate Crysis file extension if there are too many polys and/or nodes in the model. Thus restricting the potential of SolidWorks.
In terms of an overall critique, this particular workflow has a great deal of potential for complex and detailed models to be imported into Crysis. The biggest challenge is familiarising the user with the required steps.

Town Hall Subway Station.

These are some images of my finalised SolidWorks model of Town Hall Subway Station.

These images show my model being imported into Crysis. I wasn't able to import it all as one solid as it had too many polys. I had to go back and segment in into different parts. The textures applied in 3DS Max can also be seen here.