Photomatch exterior photo w interior model?

lapx · 12 Jan 2011, 02:06

I have a request to do an interior rendering for a potential client.
They want to see the actual skyline. What would be the best way to do this? Would I need to take a picture from the exterior right up againist the building? Or would I lean out the building and take a picture on the floor where one would be standing? I know I will have to mask the photo some how and make it belivable.

tpstigers · 12 Jan 2011, 04:40

I assume you're referring to the skyline as seen through windows. In this case, couldn't you just take photos of the windows from within the space, then clip the images and use the clipped results as materials for the windows? Or do the windows not exist?

Or am I missing something?

Dave R · 12 Jan 2011, 11:28

I'm not an expert but I think your suggestion of leaning out the window (be careful of course or the rest of it won't matter.) to make a photo is a good one. To make it accurate, I would sort out the views you intend to create from inside to determine the directions to point the camera when making the photos. Then you should be able to import those views as images and stand them up outside the windows as background scrims.

I suppose it might be better to make a series of shots that can be stitched together to make a panoramic image. Then apply that as a material to a large curved surface placed outside the model. A little more work in the beginning but probably a lot easier to deal with in SketchUp. I'd take a shot or two from inside to use as references for aligning the exterior view with the window frames.

Shooting from the same view point as you would use in the model would be ideal if you could remove the building for the shot but I think the problems of dealing with exposure, reflections off the glass, etc. would make me fudge it with shots from outside the windows instead. The difference in viewpoint won't be that much anyway.

lapx · 13 Jan 2011, 03:37

I dont know what the building is like inside but i presume it has objects in front of the windows where a perfect shot cannot be possible. Just trying to plan ahead of time. I really think the best way givin the building is existing is to take a skyline photo from outside the building.

tpstigers · 13 Jan 2011, 04:32

A few other thoughts....

Does the building have a handy balcony or roof access? Either would be quite useful.

Have you checked Panoramio to see if anyone's already done your work for you?

Terry