Theatre Facility Design Software

I wasn't sure which forum to post this question in...

I am in search of a 3-d software package to design a new Fine/Performing Arts Center for our school.

I am not a professional architect. I am familiar enough with Vectorworks to put together the basics for scenic construction but that software package is not going to do what I need it to do. I can deal with spatial requirements, draw lines, dimensions, etc… Anyway, our school will hire someone to do pro-building designs.

What I do want to do is present a 3d schematic of our fine/performing arts faculty's preferred building, including the layout of all 9 levels (3 below ground, 6 above), sizes of various spaces (height, width, depth of lobby, foyer, theatres, storage, classrooms, hallways, offices, pit, catwalks, fly, wing space, shops, house, control-booths, seating, etc...).

I want to present this to our admin team and the hired consultants BEFORE decisions are made. Why and purpose? Our preferred building footprint will directly impact the strategic planning of our entire campus. The fine/performing arts center is number 1 but approval will one based on needs/designs of other buildings. I need to layout and justify every square meter of space so that we can come close to getting what we want.

Preferably, I would like a software package that will offer multiple views of each level (side, top, front, rear, bottom, angled), zoom into a specific space, spin around, zoom out, pan up down left or right, then zoom back into another space, etc.. Imagine a meeting where I project the exterior of the building, pan around all size of the building including the top (a tap of a button could overlay dimensions of any given portion then tap again and make the dimensions disappear), then begin a tour of the inside of the building, space to space (dimensions on and off as needed). The primary goal is to show what space is needed and how it will be used for learning.

Is there a piece of software that will do this?

Thank you

Chad

The Pro’s use AutoCAD, but I’d be thinking that if I had Vectoroworks and knew how to use it, I’d use that. I’m pretty sure it would do most of what you describe and why spend a few thousand on AC ?. Only advantage is it’s easier to get your AC drawings to the architect and theater consultant, and yes you need a theater consultant.

You might get what you want with AutoSketch. I don't really know it's presentation capability. I do know a number of major pacs began in it.

Most architects use Revit today - probably 90-95%.

Please share your results.

Not sure what you'll see used most prevalently in China but Sketchup is a great way to do conceptual massing and planning with the added benefit of being free.

For whatever it's worth to you, most architects start with a known budget and work their way toward the footprint of the building. They use cost per square foot based on previous projects to estimate finishes, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and all of the other major costs with input from speciality consultants (rigging, lighting, audio, video, sustainability) to get more precise costs on the specialty work. Then they see how close that gets them to the client's goals or if they need to fundamentally scale back the project costs to accommodate the major priorities. It takes a pretty deep wallet or access to major donors to start with the footprint you want and develop your budget around that.

It may be easy for you gauge the amount of space required for your front-of-house needs, but when it comes to the backend mechanical/electrical/plumbing/structural, there will be things only your consultants will be able to inform you about for how much space is needed for certain types of rooms and equipment. You can also pretty much count on whatever you do being only a guiding reference for the design team once they get rolling. Budgets, site planning, zoning, fire/life safety codes, and accessibility compliance will all play a role in the final product. Acoustics will also play a strong factor in where rooms are located and what's put between them to avoid noise coupling between sensitive spaces.

With that in mind, I would move forward with the understanding that your whole concept will be turned on its head for a variety of reasons once your design team is hired.

Vectorworks is more than capable of doing all that you list in the OP. One can debate Vectorworks versus AutoCAD, but both are extremely powerful professional programs.

However, when you hire your theatre consultant, you'll be able to have a meeting about what you want and they'll understand ( most theatre consultants have an industry background). They can make sure the architects get it right. Also, they can help you get things you want that you don't know you want yet because they are on the cutting edge of the technology.

Most Architects use Revit when working in both 2D and 3D or Autocad for primarily 2d work.
Vectorworks can do everything you describe, and if you're familiar with it and have it already I would stick with that.
Sketchup is quick if you just need basic massing.
Personally I work in Rhino for 3D if given the option.

If all you're doing is a 'concept sketch' for relative dimensions, or a volumetric footprint drawings, SketchUp probably has the easiest learning curve and is the cheapest alternative. If you want to get into showing internal details, hire someone.

Vectorworks can do what you want, including creating the walkthrough that you're envisioning, but it definitely isn't an easy option. Here are some specifications on the "Move along path" tool that lets you create a walkthrough video for presentation: http://app-help.vectorworks.net/201...ng_and_Editing_Move_Along_Path_Animations.htm

I used the tool to create this animation for a project I finished earlier this year:

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. This was both my first Vectorworks 3D model, as well as my first attempt at using the animation tool, so you can imagine it may get easier and better with more practice. You can also manually move around a 3D model with the walkthrough tool, but it too is a bit clunky for my taste.

An easier option may be to save a view of everything you want to show in your presentation, and just click between them (some with dimensions, some without). You lose the zoom in/zoom out and moving around the space organically, but it would be way easier. Good luck!

Probably worth noting that I'm pretty sure there is no software specifically for designing theatres, like there is for houses, for instance. What's even more difficult is that it's a small enough segment with enough unique elements - like cone shaped floors - that basic building design software has many shortcomings. Further, the availability of "families" in Revit speak is very incomplete. Some products are available but not all, probably not half. Also if you look at drawings of theater over a 100+ years, they take a lot of liberties to communicate. It seems modern software is very literal. I hate that a centerline section shows a solid mass for the center loft block beam, and no flanges. Hard to show a block clearly.

Maybe NOT drawing much is a better approach. Part of your Architect and Theatre Consultant's job is to create the space you want. They [should] have lot's of experience with many different types of theatre shapes and plans. Consider making a laundry list of all the things that you think are important to have, and any special relationships that they might have, and let the design team come up with a solution. Your input is still valuable, and you should work with them every step of the way, but realize that designing to a defined goal is much different than designing to 'look like that sketch he gave me'. Collecting all the needs provided by the various user groups will guide them to the best solution for your collective operational needs and budget. This is what they do best. What I see all too often is 'engraved in stone' suggestions. When you present things in a hard-lined format it stifles creativity. The best Architects I work with are those that don't use CAD - instead they create the shapes and layout free-hand so they evolve organically. Everything in a theater plant is a compromise of functionality and budget.

Once the plan of the building begins to gel, then CAD designers are given the task of documenting the idea in a more structured form. Even then, people start to get too picky about moving stuff around and making adjustments 'because we already drew it that way'. Hard line models in CAD or on paper get people thinking it's too late to change stuff. Eventually, yes, that becomes true, but you have to get people to resist the idea that just because it is drawn, doesn't mean it's engraved in stone (it's just data bits!).