To create my model I decided to use Google Sketchup, which is
available for free at
http://sketchup.google.com . I chose this program because it
seemed very intuitive and was fast to learn.
Even though the program is very intuitive, I still spent
many hours learning how to create models. Getting to the point of
initial modelling is very fast in Google Sketchup, compared to
other programs such as Blender that would have taken many hours
just to get to the point of being comfortable navigating the
workspace. Advanced techniques do require some additional
learning, and I have to credit google for their highly useful
training
videos, which I made frequent use of.
Enough about the program, on to the production:
Research
Before undertaking any of the modelling process, I decided
to do a little research to make my life easier. A quick trip
to the Galt archives netted me original scale drawings of
downtown Lethbridge, all the way back from 1915. After
getting a photocopy of the page I needed, I found out that the
University holds a digitized copy of the same documents.
Large printout in hand, it was time for more photos.
Using a local landmark was a big advantage because it
allowed me to get very specific pictures of the fire hall.
In particular I took a photo of each visible side of the
building, making sure the picture is perpendicular to the
face of the building. This, in combination with the
insurance plans obtained from the Galt archives allowed to
put all features of the building into a reasonable scale.
|
Simple Construction
The first step was to create the rough shape of the building, to
scale. With the information I had, it was fairly easy to
get Sketchup to create the building to the appropriate
scale.
After creating the initial box, I decided the easiest
way to keep things to scale would be to start at the bottom
and work my way up.
|
Adding Doors
Let's face it, a building isn't much of a building if you
can't get into it. Logically, the doors were the first
thing on my list.
After creating guidelines for the basic dimensions, I
added the basic arches and created the recessed areas for
the door.
Because this was my first time using the program, I
decided to try my hand at adding details to the lower
section first. This lead to a few important lessons,
including making repeated items into components and also how
components interact with the model.
|
Adding Windows
Time to shed some light on the situation: we need
windows. This step went a little faster than the doors,
partly because of my gained experience, and partly due
to a high degree of repetition.
|
The Tower
I guess you coud say I saved the best for last.
As a finishing touch, I added the tower to the top
of the building.
Although it is a fairly complex shape, it was
easily accomplished by using a side profile of the
tower and the follow-me tool around the base shape
(an octagon).
Again I used components to make editing all 8
sides of the tower at the same time a snap. I'm fairly
happy with the result, but if I were to be rendering
with the tower in a closer view I would probably add
more detail.
|
Adding Texture
Time to add some color and texture
to my model. Thankfully Sketchup is fairly
intuitive when it comes to texturing, and also
comes with a good enough selection of textures to
make the basic building.
Because of this adding the textures was only a matter of
time, and little frustration. I did however find places
where my components were not behaving as expected, which
lead to additional work due to some repetition. The
upper windows are a good example of this, due to the
fact that there are three of them that are not the same
as the others, and as such, each was textured
seperately.
|
|