What is the potential of Python in Archviz - Looking for Ideas and Insights

gabrielnyr · Mar 12 2025

Hey everyone!

I’m a 3D artist specialized in architectural visualization and I’ve been in the industry for over 5 years. Recently, I’ve been thinking about diving into Python and I’m really curious about how it could help improve my workflow, productivity and income in Archviz.

I know Python is widely used in the world, but I’m still trying to figure out how it can be applied specifically to Archviz. I’m particularly interested in how it can integrate with software I already use, like 3ds Max.

Some specific areas I’m considering are:

Creating/modifying scripts or helpfull standalone softwares
Streamlining asset management (e.g., organizing large libraries of models, textures, etc.)
Improving workflow on 3ds max, corona and vray

I’d love to hear from other Archviz professionals or anyone who has experience using Python in this field. What have you done with Python that has made your work easier or more efficient?

Also, if you know of any great resources or tutorials specific for archviz, feel free to share! I’m eager to learn and apply Python to make my work even better.

Thanks in advance!

Eric Chadwick · Mar 12 2025

Moving your topic over to "Coding, Scripting & Shaders" since that's where you're more likely to get feedback from CG people here who use Python.

Muzzoid · Mar 12 2025

If you want python and 3d, that's a hell of an argument to jump over to blender.

All the scripting is python. Every blender plugin is written in python.

I haven't touched max in years though, Looks like they finally have python support now? regardless the blender world is where you'll find a lot of inspiration for what can be acheived.

poopipe · Mar 13 2025

the problem with OP switching to blender is that the entire archviz space is max based - max is objectively better suited to dealing with anything precise/cad derived as well.

I've not touched it in a while but max's python (to me) is similar in feel to pymel in maya
It's a lot less stinky than maya.cmds but you're still obviously working through a layer.
It wasn't all that well documented back then (3 years ago) - you had to extrapolate from the maxscript docs for almost everything so unless that's changed I'd expect a beginner python programmer to have a pretty rough time

I'd honestly recommend starting with maxscript to learn the systems if you want to build tools. its a perfectly good language and you'll be able to get results without having to translate your ideas through two layers of abstraction.

I'd take the time to learn the fundamentals of python (basic coding, good practices, packaging etc) outside of max first - you'll have a much easier time getting it going in max after that.

listing the things I've personally used python for at work would take weeks.
This sort of thing is driven by project needs. If something is boring or takes a long time to do.. write a script so you don't have to do it.

Eric Chadwick · Mar 13 2025

One common issue I've seen in archviz work at major retailers (I used to work at Wayfair, now I provide software for similar big retailers) is how difficult it is to get consistent quality assets from outsourcers. There's a strong need for validation systems. We had an extensive system in Max that checked for more than 100 issues. Non-uniform scale, bad materials, etc. All the companies I've worked with have this problem. This might be worth looking into, if you're working with outsourcers at all.

gnoop · Apr 22 2025

I pay $20 subscribtion for chatGPT and it's quite capable to do whatever addon you may want for Blender . With current 4.5 chat version it even suggests ideas that wouldn't ever cross my mind . Almost everything Chat writes for Blender nowadays just works . Takes maybe 3-4 re-doing, error fixing. Tryed to make it write me Max scripts or python for MAx . Never worked .

ps Today I asked it to make me a script that turns UVs into geometry patches I could edit with all 3d tools in a temp mesh (zbrush style) and then with another button brings it back to UV and removes temp mesh . Works perfect.

And I know absolutely nothing about Python . Actually started to figure out after Chat explanations. In a word I think it's already a bit late to start learn Python . I think AI will replace all scripts/ basic tools writing pretty soon. Sooner than it would replace artists.

poopipe · Apr 22 2025

My advice..
Read what chatgpt did. Use it to learn to write the code yourself and apply that to any language and environment you find yourself in.

The llms are good at JavaScript and python because 90% of the code on GitHub is JavaScript or python.
they fall flat pretty quick outside of that environment and fail utterly when you're trying to do something nobody has published.

Give it 5 years and maybe things will be different but right now you spend less effort in the long term writing the code yourself

gnoop · Apr 22 2025

I needed a script other day that would calculate normal maps intensity parameter from a target normal map example and match all the project normal maps to same intensity for more unified look . I asked Chat to hipass normal maps, extract high frequency details and measure each pixel normal deviation from vertical, find a mean value and consider it the intensity parameter . But then suddenly found it uses median value instead. ????? Tried to persuade it to do mean /average and Chat gave me a page wall of text how wrong I am and need to use median instead. We agree on a switch mean vs median. And know what . Chat was right. median is better . That's a feeling when you find Ai is clever than you

. But I agree , it's probably something someone already did before in some open source tool. published on GIthub.

Love new research button in Chat . I't s limited to a few a month only in $20 sub And I mostly waste it to find me best value for money when I need to buy something online. It recently found me my best sneakers I ever had for less than 150.

They added "Monday" a humorous chat GPT that started from telling me what little it thinks about my intellect an abilities . ha-ha But since makes pretty good jokes about almost every theme I suggested . Quite amusing actually. Wonder where it takes those jokes ideas.

A progress they did with Chat during last year is huge. I still can't find any useful AI for actual game content . texture art and Chat tells me current image generators is not that specific to follow a material artist requests, but boy, did it learn how to code in Python recently.

gnoop · Apr 27 2025

"People (including me) have made Blender Add-ons that simulate 2D gizmos over compositor inputs!"

it's what chat GPT wrote me today . Looks like it consider itself a person already

What is the potential of Python in Archviz - Looking for Ideas and Insights

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