After so many years playing, lotting and modding, it was about time I would start modelling as well. I don't get along very well on modelling with Gmax or 3ds Max, so I am doing it with Sketchup, and using Max to retouch textures, lighting and rendering only.
Here is some of my first works.
My very first model, very simple. Click to enlarge.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.us%2Fa%2Fimg69%2F4310%2F3unq.jpg&hash=cc87f0cf54f3160a77235cdee108bbaf5a87f63e)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.us%2Fa%2Fimg199%2F8577%2Fd95k.jpg&hash=3cb04c40940bbe1fecf06006fe4fa5011adb5ae6)
My second model. Click to enlarge.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.us%2Fa%2Fimg854%2F1429%2Fn1se.jpg&hash=4bd2e20bf59b280f7d307f0c2a43f86170e9ea2b)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.us%2Fa%2Fimg51%2F5893%2F35d4.jpg&hash=793f003e95647deb473dcb3c7474841fd2abc0ce)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.us%2Fa%2Fimg14%2F3764%2Fobyg.jpg&hash=fedb5cd1bed70bff8ed031acb346223737fdde56)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.us%2Fa%2Fimg832%2F6531%2Furi9.jpg&hash=5d4c91d0934cd7b05f1030ac9033c94214ae7c58)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.us%2Fa%2Fimg854%2F3006%2Fm504.jpg&hash=8553fa6d29645ebba362efcbf4f21fecf80612cf)
My third model, a little more complex. Click to enlarge.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.us%2Fa%2Fimg42%2F7299%2Ffb99.jpg&hash=75c7708f01a79099af4698d0bc9819fdcc8e6378)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.us%2Fa%2Fimg706%2F4264%2Fqo6d.jpg&hash=9d608c5eb8768592f48ddc0d048a4c731ffba935)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.us%2Fa%2Fimg835%2F6571%2Fkprc.jpg&hash=bd5fc9b6e44aefc2560ba6fc9fa6ca959e50e27a)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.us%2Fa%2Fimg4%2F7405%2F0jhc.jpg&hash=5a957f9fc286c03a3c606796c3a528bd5a22d9e1)
And this is my latest one, a lot more complex. Click to enlarge.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.us%2Fa%2Fimg41%2F5825%2Fgdjj.jpg&hash=964d9f8684e6d9c4ebcd35b0410100044a9c8316)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.us%2Fa%2Fimg835%2F7073%2Fnq1x.jpg&hash=c902674e80c10f445f4ec395be7bdc73d05e0f9c)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.us%2Fa%2Fimg818%2F2761%2F11wo.jpg&hash=e8a46295f2a2e2b9983a467e218ee7661f04524c)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.us%2Fa%2Fimg818%2F5545%2Fkmfk.jpg&hash=55a91287ef4d1f51302d6da530e971db5b8564ba)
I have also one more model, but that one it's adapted from one find on the internet and I will show it later. I have also plans for another villa more or less on the same line as this last one, and also a bigger project that I will unveil later.
I hope you like it, and be gentle $%Grinno$% I'm only a begginer (4 weeks on this).
To be honest I can do without the first model, but the rest of drop dead gorgeous! And you must get them in game for us as soon as possible!
Great work my friend and it's nice to see you playing and working with the game.
Robin
I'm not sure how this works, but you may want to use a different program to apply the textures (or get other textures). These don't look up to the quality we've come to known for SC4. That being said I'm happy we have a new BATter :thumbsup:
Cheers
Willy
Fantastic start on 3D modeling, Silvio !
I'll agree on the textures, they need quite some work ( repetition, saturation etc)
Good start, I'm curious to see them in game! :thumbsup:
I really like that third model.
I would work on textures, which for me is the most difficult part of the process.
Good luck, hope to see some progress :)
Thanks guys for the support, but about the texturing it will take time until I reach that level Willy said the community is used to, after all you cannot expect that someone who just come out from the void and had start modelling about a month ago to present you works like "Aaron's", don't you? ;)
But I would apreciate a most indep criticism, putting in another words, some tips on that subject, as I need to learn and improve. :thumbsup:
Well, as no one complainted about the modelling part, here is a brief presentation of what I have been cooking, no textures this time $%Grinno$%
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.us%2Fa%2Fimg690%2F9967%2Fu6q9.jpg&hash=35b9ed77164558c713417298a86e9db01d674e30)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.us%2Fa%2Fimg812%2F5717%2Fqc2h.jpg&hash=7ac9076efeee7a898bda2c9cc095b7ecfd73ba7c)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.us%2Fa%2Fimg690%2F1495%2F02e7.jpg&hash=b5ef9d2cecd72b35ebc88ce402ad89d8c858ec5d)
Those were rendered directly in Sketchup, the following one with Max
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.us%2Fa%2Fimg27%2F2576%2Fxvgv.jpg&hash=836cf9cbec9c197eaca3dfaeba84a8b81271a5d2)
I was going to make it bigger but I'm afraid in the end I would not have the power to render it, I need to upgrade my PC one of these days. Right now it will fit a 6x3 or 6x4. The other models, I must find sometime during the week to lot them and grab some images from the game, they might look better ingame :thumbsup:
And a bit of colour
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg14.imageshack.us%2Fimg14%2F9236%2Fr0z7.jpg&hash=74c9c4817e6b04a3d127100e89e4bd087fd93876)
That's a nice model ! Is it by chance inspired from where you live? ;)
Quote from: art128 on July 22, 2013, 05:52:36 AM
That's a nice model ! Is it by chance inspired from where you live? ;)
Thx, yes, where I live it's a summer resort, full of sun all year round, so, there are many buildings around with large terraces, sunroofs with pools and the likes. ;)
Wonderful work here> :D
Thx Aaron, I believe your laugh it's about my remark about your work, isn't it? :D If my work could be half as good as yours, I would be very happy, but not possible with only such short time doing it. ;)
You're modeling is amazing! Textures could use some work, sure, but you'll get the hang of that. Your houses 2 and 3 from earlier even look like they could be game-ready. Great work!
Quote from: whatevermind on July 22, 2013, 05:32:38 PM
You're modeling is amazing! Textures could use some work, sure, but you'll get the hang of that. Your houses 2 and 3 from earlier even look like they could be game-ready. Great work!
Thx a lot for your comments, textures, a big problem, I'm even afraid of starting texturing this one $%Grinno$%
In the meantime I'll keep adding a detail here and there.
This is a preview render in Max
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.us%2Fa%2Fimg11%2F4562%2Fzfea.jpg&hash=5b284468179923966768b0e9867454c37d4b890a)
And this is a view from within the corridor, I know it won't show up in game, but I think it's a nice touch ;)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.us%2Fa%2Fimg593%2F7154%2F5ad4.jpg&hash=f16c7665ff67c08eb451104ecce6f17b85d4f9fc)
And this a general view with the noon sun
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.us%2Fa%2Fimg708%2F4288%2Fn6tv.jpg&hash=074e36194fdb1ed6b64d769bd47fa8c96f42556e)
Next things to do, add some detail to the ground floor (backyard) and some details on the shops on the front part.
Quote from: Rayden on July 23, 2013, 05:55:34 AM
I'm even afraid of starting texturing this one
When you will. Use Arch&Design materials. ;)
The view of the corridor is nice. I wouldn't do that tho because it up the poly count and makes the render time longer.. [I think, I can be wrong]
Quote from: art128 on July 23, 2013, 06:08:14 AM
The view of the corridor is nice. I wouldn't do that tho because it up the poly count and makes the render time longer.. [I think, I can be wrong]
You are right, but there is a way around it. Use Layers.
Help on Manage Layers Dialogbox. (http://download.autodesk.com/us/3dsmax/2012help/index.html?url=files/GUID-DD5876EA-F333-4185-AF51-EDE339B1EBF-2946.htm,topicNumber=d28e544311)
Help on Layers Toolbar (http://download.autodesk.com/us/3dsmax/2012help/index.html?url=files/GUID-DD5876EA-F333-4185-AF51-EDE339B1EBF-2946.htm,topicNumber=d28e544311)
Take all the object that is not going to show in the final rendering and place on a seperate layer. Then freeze that layer.
Freezed layer is just ignore when rendering is done.
You might need to put in some fill in object to fill any holes that would some how change the end result.
These objects you place in a seperate layer(s) so you can change between the full detailed model and the model with less details.
Thx guys for the tips. I don't really have an update, as I haven't add anything new. Following Arthur's advice and with a few brief explanations from Arne, I decided to dive into learning the ins and outs of manipulating materials in Max. Only the look at those strange and many names of the material options scared the hell of me from using them until now. After watching some videos I have have now some lights on it and understand a little more. The only thing I done on the pics bellow was to change the pool water to something more credible, and I also found out that I don't need to use a light on each letter of the hotel name, and rather use a self illuminated material. Both water and self illuminated name still need some work as this was just a test.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.us%2Fa%2Fimg801%2F8186%2Fpecq.jpg&hash=ab858679c1f8721f59d43a03503f01660258b442)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.us%2Fa%2Fimg534%2F5456%2Fw7x4.jpg&hash=9561e476fd06a6fafc56eb8bed4c3e841429a719)
Don't mind those squares surrounding the hotel logos and just bellow the name, it was because it uses the same material as the letters.
Indeed, self illuminated material are a wonder! I love to use on everything I make... :D
You're almost there, I can feel you are doing some awesome progress and fast. For the text, you might want to activate the " Glare " in the Let there be light roll out, it gives a more real feel to the self illuminated materials.
I like the pool texture and reflections.
Oh and don't forget to make SC4 view renders, help us to see how things will be. :P
Thx Arthur, those renders were made with lighting and cameras from bat4max, so it is quite close to the final work if I used lods and preview renders.
I have to second what has been said in so far, great modeling, but the textures need works, as far as I know, scketch isn't the best tool for it, so you should rework them in max/gmax before exportation.
Are you planning for Portuguese themed housing? :P
Thx Carlos, about textures I'm working on it ;) On the Portuguese housing theme, maybe. Right now I'm more into the villas theme, specially the type of them found here in the Algarve, and this little hotel building, it's ficticious but could also be applied to many found here as well.
Algarve/south Portugal is fine for me, as I've made many Portuguese stuff but they are a bit more north themed, so your stuff is most welcome (it would be anyway, as good as it is)
If you need something or some help about textures, "dá um toque", I'll gladly help out :)
Love what you are doing here.
Being thing about it for, could set my fingers on it.
You edges looks very sharp, too sharp. Maybe a chamfer of the corners world help.
In Max right click on a object: Convert -> Convert to editable poly
Then click on edge
Mark out the edges you want to rework
Then under edit edges you find chamfer.
Sorry for the lack of news here, but I have been banging my head trying to apply textures in Max, reading tutos, and other tips. I have learned a lot and I feel confortable with most of it, but only when it doesn't need to map textures around. I tried to apply a UV Map and managed to apply a couple of textures, but suddenly they get messed up. I almost pulled my hair already. Can someone give me a little help on how to do it? A fail-proof step by step would be a great help. I have the model, converted to edited mesh, from there what shell I do? Apply the UV Map modifier? And the what? Does that map applies to the whole model (one texture per channel), or need a map for each texture? What type of UV Map applies to my model, Planar, Box, Face?
If I could get those answers I would be very grateful, and would avoid me using Sketchup for other than modelling. ;)
Quote from: Rayden on August 05, 2013, 08:36:18 AM
I tried to apply a UV Map and managed to apply a couple of textures, but suddenly they get messed up.
Could you post a picture or two of the mess up ?
Maybe also some of the data of the objects.
Have a few test textures that I use, when I can't figur out how the textures is placed on an obejct:
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi40.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fe242%2Fvester_DK%2FBATs%2Fcheckermap_b_zps5f23918f.png&hash=d3f3b6ae635efb9d7ea01b78e87f209cf36b120e) (https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi40.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fe242%2Fvester_DK%2FBATs%2FUVWTest_zpsd4c3cf2e.png&hash=3927d3ca619b72872ac059e8d315b5f6df0f2f23) (https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi40.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fe242%2Fvester_DK%2FBATs%2FCustom_UV_Checker_zps53fc302a.jpg&hash=479809a370a812c20397099b97c1c3d5e8c27dbe)
Thx Arne, the problem isn't the textures, I can work them alright, the problem is I don't quite figure how to use the "UV Map" and what kind of shall I use, or if I shall use one map for each texture I want to fine tuning. Being that, I decide to just don't use that technique and use just the textures basic options. Here is the result:
Fisrt previews with Bat4Max
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.us%2Fa%2Fimg854%2F7831%2F3hom.jpg&hash=aef6f54531e2d97f2eed0d2a1c6b619ae11841f5)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.us%2Fa%2Fimg853%2F856%2Fesch.jpg&hash=8c6379647ac974bffd66ebb2d6ac4f360e214825)
Some random render views
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.us%2Fa%2Fimg837%2F7463%2Fti4l.jpg&hash=5f6b0a8a999350cc190f1992bf49893b7cefa028)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.us%2Fa%2Fimg38%2F9436%2Fcbgq.jpg&hash=1cd9efda00437a04cf7ce044436b76cbeac64e22)
And a view from the pool deck into the pool
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.us%2Fa%2Fimg706%2F5129%2Fgqwf.jpg&hash=9e98aeea99d665032abbd674bcf84d30fdf369dd)
That's it for now, I going to get some lights on it and see how it looks at night.
Quote from: Rayden on August 10, 2013, 01:20:48 PM
the problem isn't the textures,
Well the test textures you use to figure out what is going on, with the UV-mapping.
Your models are gorgeous. I'm stunned. Simply beautiful.
Don't get discouraged by the difficulties in learning texturing. I found the below link to be very useful in trying to wrap my head around making textures. If you haven't already read it, it'll change your life.
Good luck, and keep up the great work!
Gascooker's Dodge and Burn texture tutorial: http://sc4devotion.com/forums/index.php?topic=5230.0 (http://sc4devotion.com/forums/index.php?topic=5230.0)
I always kind of think of UV maps as being sort of the "skin" of whatever you are texturing, and so you want to pick a type of map that fits the object's shape.
For example, if you're modeling things by making the walls and floors and roof, etc. as separate objects, and placing them together to make the building as a collection of these objects, then you would want to use "box" to texture each object independently. At least that's worked pretty well for me. :P
On the other hand, if you're modeling things by creating big blocks of forms, and then sculpting the building out of these big blocks, then your model is really only one big object, and the first method won't work. Instead you would texture each surface of the object independently, and use the "face" setting on the faces. This should also work if you modeled by the first method, but want to apply different textures to different faces of your wall, for example.
I haven't had any luck with "planar" maps, and have yet to have reason to make cylinders, spheres, etc. for some of the other settings out there, or at least not big enough ones that my texture settings make a visible difference.
Texturing is probably one of the more confusing aspects of BATting, and reading up on it only seemed to make me more confused, but eventually I think it started making sense, or at least enough sense that I could texture my BATs and be reasonably happy with the result. :)
One other thing, beware of tiling. That sandy roof texture in particular has visible tiling, which is probably not what you're going for. Otherwise, you model looks great. I particularly love the pool area, but the entire thing is incredibly well made.
Thx guys for the tips and encouragement, I have took care of the roof tiling problem but I don't know what else I could do to improve the model. I guess I will have to keep trying to learn bit by bit, but it will happen on another model. This is how it looks now
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.us%2Fa%2Fimg822%2F6264%2Fzfkx.jpg&hash=5baca5d21390a37490882d30690625f196189a57)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.us%2Fa%2Fimg27%2F4218%2Fzb8m.jpg&hash=2d861478c73555cb76fb57969c9d1e3def31bc63)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.us%2Fa%2Fimg838%2F1020%2Fx01i.jpg&hash=f9b488f24380be96a67da60c7c46503651b698d9)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.us%2Fa%2Fimg138%2F8329%2F5nnq.jpg&hash=4a829c917fc9e3f497fcc42cccde84e179de7b09)
And in the mean time on between renders, I have another small villa nearly lighted up :thumbsup:
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.us%2Fa%2Fimg18%2F9968%2Fu20z.jpg&hash=d7bac8bf169fa1d8e3c0b7cf6d26bef4c834ad0f)
Something else in the oven being cooked :P
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg534.imageshack.us%2Fimg534%2F61%2Fy5f9.jpg&hash=b12d5b929f5a4a17f902d7030c264cf35b2e22d3)
looking good so far. I wonder what that last model will turn into :P
Quote from: gn_leugim on August 13, 2013, 11:18:18 AM
looking good so far. I wonder what that last model will turn into :P
Thx, I can only say by now it will look good over a cliff and will have two supports against the cliff itself ;)
Awesome work on nightlights of both the house and the hotel, Silvio!
Concerning the textures on the house. I find the brick work on the outside wall a little repetitive. We can see the same pattern on each section. For walls like that I usually take a screen shot from face, and then create and adequate textures with no or few repetition of pattern. Also that way you can add easily some dirt etc without going through an alpha channel texture.
The small hotel looks really nice. &apls