Hi Stu -- I'm chuckling because although I'm usually hyperfocused on plant material (that being my occupation) -- in this model I was just happy to get the arbor built, the scene corresponding to the photo and the model presented in Layout. I threw some plant material in a hurry to flesh out the scene more fully. The large evergreen tree on the right side of the model is a California Redwood. I couldn't find either a 2d or 3d component from the SU library that came close. So I stuck in the green "blob" component. I trust that as I transition to PR renderings there will be more trees and plant material to choose from. And there is a gentle slope up from the road to the house -- so the stepping stones are actually stepped up. In Sandbox that's how they came out -- since lowering them at all would bury their "noses" in the upslope. I'm still on a learning curve with topography and steps. The model on your website of the terraced planters stepping up to the house with the garage on the right side is my inspiration of where I'd like to get to. Danty

I like this too Genki. Simple, clean and well thought-out. You seem to have much more snow than we in southern Finland. Anssi

nice

Tom, I like it. You are developing this style great. Mike

That was total project, the render (final render) took under 30 minutes. That job I ended up giving away as a freebie, as after bank approval the client offered our company another project including using us as the building contractor. I used an AMD dual core 5000+ Vista ultimate 4GB ram 1x 8800gtx (I have a quad but it was running an animation render using Vue so I did not want to disturb it)

Andrew's plants put to good use. Jpegs and clipmaps.....[render time in Podium...settings on full bore.....about 8 minutes! ] [image: 2NQP_YoungB.jpg]

i have no comment...just going to look in awe! haha.

Thanks guys...it's been fun! Actually, Pete, I'm still having trouble with the new 'chine...wgatray.exe has jumped back into my life, using 50% of my processor capacity until I manually shut it off. I'm taking it back in this AM to have the HD's reformated and start over...with the insistance that Windows Update is not to be opened on it as I don't intended to have it connected to the internet. Woe is me...till later this week :`) Tina, this project is much bigger with the rec center and pool additions I'm starting this afternoon (lower parcel), so the presentation concept was to "mute" much of the model not touched by the project...so brown cars and people same as brown buildings (brown may not be the final color but I like it better than any I've tried so far). Actually, the ballpark was to be a simple form study model (10hrs max), but I kept thinking (as I find we all here do) "I bet I can model that pretty quick" so my marketing expense on this part is close to 3 times the invoice. Oh well, had me some fun this last weekend :`) I intend to fully tree the offsite portions of the model too, so do wish me luck with the new 'chine...I will diffently need it before I thru with this one (my little laptop is spending a lot of time thinking about it before doing it). [image: vO2S_tn_Parsons.jpg]

@unknownuser said: That is very nice. The angle, colors and layout are very easy on the eye. If I may make one suggestion it would be to add ridge caps on the roof. I see you have the ridge vent, I am talking about the shingles. See this image for an example: http://www.alltexexteriors.com/images/roof_89.jpg A small detail like that can add quite a bit to the realism. Great work. Thank you Boofredlay. It seems i have left a detail out. Your tip will forsure make it in the next hipped roof project . thanks again.

Here's KT rendering #2 . . . doesn't look like a very comfy chair, eh? [image: uZV9_bw_chair_0123_02.jpg]

I am always in for improved trees The SUfile is in the warehouse http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=9046c9bc648e31a696e6a73e4d00db55

More on the sliding corrigated panel "windows." I put windows in quotation marks to indicate that these are very untraditional windows. The first image shows all the non-moving pieces. These would all be attached to side panels which are not shown. The box has screening on the outside and slats for safety. [image: corrugated%20sheet%20tests%201.jpg] The second image includes the piece of corrugated panel that would slide up and down and be held in place by fitting into groves on the side panels. [image: corrugated%20sheet%20tests%202.jpg] To make all of this crystal clear there is a movie here that shows the window in action. Finally, I've attached the SketchUp file so you can test it yourself. Fred corrugated sheet test.skp

Good technique canoek, I've never thought to do that.

@solo said: Very nice render, has a great feel to it. Great use of shadows. And by the way.... welcome to SCF. thanks master solo much appreciated that you welcome me this forum. by the im chill from philippines, and i used to model SU for almost a year and practicing more to develope my skill in modeling, as well in rendering, i used to vray in a couple of months now and i find it great.. before i used vue as my rendering engine, then now i switch to Vray for SU cause i find it great for my past rendering post just visit my blogs http://www.chillrender.tk thanks bestregards to all all members chill

Nice model. Did you design the house, too?

Beautiful Makes me want to build one... I am itching to make some sawdust something bad. I second the sketchy shadows too.

thanks for offering, kim. i will certainly need some help. my start with KT (as with any other app) is going slowly.

here a vey basic way of making a tyre tread. maybe someone else knows a better way? tire tread tut.skp

it was a military servis site i , just rendered (not designed). the setting for podium did strange sparkles here and there! mayebe it is useful for some works!!! in is no need so for lighting all over the site ( for example if it is a play grpund or...etc.)

well maybe I would put them if client payed me,but again as usual I (censored) in this job