Post by Steve on Sept 7, 2010 18:37:06 GMT -5
I've always liked maps and blueprints. In school I trained in drafting, including computer aided design (CAD). Several years ago, a friend gave me a 3D railway simulation game (similar to MS Flight Simulator, but with trains). I found the 3D rendering in it amazing. Ever since then, the idea of recreating historic structures and scenes using 3D computer graphics has fascinated me.
A few years later, along comes Google SketchUp (SU), Google's 3D rendering application. I've been playing with SU, on and off, for a couple of years, but with a bit of a learning curve, I never produced any models worth mentioning.
In the meantime, out on my field trips, I began taking detailed photographs of the facades of historic Lambton buildings in anticipation of the day I would use them for reference and as textures to 'paint' the 3D models I would eventually build.
Well, the time has finally arrived! Recently, I've clamped down and really started learning SU properly and building my first models. It's time to begin what I hope will be an ongoing project to - slowly but surely - recreate historic Lambton County and eventually placing the models in their proper location on Google Earth (GE).
I Need Your Help!
This thread will be dedicated to documenting the LLF3D project as it progresses. Here you will find my latest models posted as downloadable file attachments. The details of their creation and how you can view and enjoy them on your own computer will also be explained.
This will also be the place for you to ask questions and provide suggestions, photos and info for new models and to help update those already created.
Every model I build will be based on verifiable historic sources; photos, plans, written descriptions, etc. Accuracy and realism will always be the goal. Where details of the facade of a structure aren't available, the unseen portions can be recreated from clues such as building symmetry and educated guesses, but as little 'artistic license' as possible will be employed.
I hope you enjoy exploring and participating in the LLF3D project as much as I do!
A few years later, along comes Google SketchUp (SU), Google's 3D rendering application. I've been playing with SU, on and off, for a couple of years, but with a bit of a learning curve, I never produced any models worth mentioning.
In the meantime, out on my field trips, I began taking detailed photographs of the facades of historic Lambton buildings in anticipation of the day I would use them for reference and as textures to 'paint' the 3D models I would eventually build.
Well, the time has finally arrived! Recently, I've clamped down and really started learning SU properly and building my first models. It's time to begin what I hope will be an ongoing project to - slowly but surely - recreate historic Lambton County and eventually placing the models in their proper location on Google Earth (GE).
I Need Your Help!
This thread will be dedicated to documenting the LLF3D project as it progresses. Here you will find my latest models posted as downloadable file attachments. The details of their creation and how you can view and enjoy them on your own computer will also be explained.
This will also be the place for you to ask questions and provide suggestions, photos and info for new models and to help update those already created.
Every model I build will be based on verifiable historic sources; photos, plans, written descriptions, etc. Accuracy and realism will always be the goal. Where details of the facade of a structure aren't available, the unseen portions can be recreated from clues such as building symmetry and educated guesses, but as little 'artistic license' as possible will be employed.
I hope you enjoy exploring and participating in the LLF3D project as much as I do!
