Modeling ocean wave

lapx · 25 Aug 2011, 22:21

How do you model somthing like this or some form that similates an ocean wave? I'm have the challenge of modelling a wave that will have to be eventually built at some scale. I have a challenge thinking of how to make the form in sketchup first. Any sugestions on a method would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Roger · 26 Aug 2011, 06:01

http://www.thomasparkerwilliams.com/b_ab_ed_ocean_wave.htm
http://jungianwork.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/ocean-wave-jj-001.jpg?w=300&h=200
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25388944@N05/4526786611/in/photostream/

Krisidious · 26 Aug 2011, 11:13

nice Roger...

lapx · 26 Aug 2011, 19:06

Thanks Roger,
I'm exploring options and will maybe post some ideas when I get a chance.

solo · 26 Aug 2011, 19:59

Help me understand your need...

You want to model a wave similar to top image,then build it? Is this for a stage set, prop or will it have some function?

How big will it need to be?

I was thinking of using Artisan to get the form, I think it could be pretty easy to achieve, never tried it yet however.

Gareth · 27 Aug 2011, 06:19

hmmmmm....it is possible

..i have had a quick shot at it....10 minutes in SketchUp and 20 minutes in Twilight...this is quite raw but it shows that it might be achievable with a bit more time and thought

..i've used a simple profile for the wave, but in reality it should taper...it should be able to be done quite simply

..the wave would also need some 'froth'....perhaps that is something you could add in post pro

..anyhow, here is my quick and easy attempt....i think has some possibilities with a bit more time spent on it

Gareth · 27 Aug 2011, 06:39

same raw model with a different sky background

...once again, about 20 minutes rendered in Twilight

...i should add that the water material is is from one of Majid's collection

Roger · 2 Oct 2011, 04:57

Lapx, did you ever finish the wave, how did it turn out?

--Roger

oganocali · 4 Oct 2011, 09:09

I gave it a try. The renderer is vray. Rendering time is > 30 mins (I quit checking after that). The basic shape is easy but I think it takes a lot of experimentation to get such a majestic wave as in the reference pic. I have no idea how to get natural looking froth and mist.

mitcorb · 4 Oct 2011, 11:44

Here's what I've got. No render. I can post more if you are interested.

Roger · 5 Oct 2011, 00:02

@oganocali said:

I gave it a try. The renderer is vray. Rendering time is > 30 mins (I quit checking after that). The basic shape is easy but I think it takes a lot of experimentation to get such a majestic wave as in the reference pic. I have no idea how to get natural looking froth and mist.
[attachment=0:3dol85fe]crest.jpg[/attachment:3dol85fe]

Ogan, How may views would photoScan need to process a project like this. You could radio trigger 6 cameras with 1000sec shutter speed to produce 6 simultaneous views from different angles.

I know this would be expanding the frontiers of the technology, but this is exactly what I am interested in.

oganocali · 5 Oct 2011, 12:05

Water surface is too reflective for automatic surface generation in photoscan, but then again the small waves and froth might produce enough of a signal. For calibration and semi-automatic modeling this scene should be doable. 6 remote triggered cameras with 1/1000 shutter speed sounds exciting. you should be able to handle fast sports action with some accuracy. A sprinter (fastest) running around 10 meters a second would move around 1 cm in that 1 milliseconds. (that would also appear as a motion blur). If the synchronization of the cameras is better than 1 milliseconds you could get better accuracy by targeting (for drawing and calibration marking) the middle of the blurs. This is interesting because as of now there is no other 3D scanner of any sort that could obtain 3d models out of fast acting scenes.
(sorry for going off topic in a commercial sounding way)

cheers
Ogan

Roger · 5 Oct 2011, 23:20

Ogan, if I dropped a garbage can of multicolored ping pong balls onto the surface it seems I would have many identifiable targets. Or perhaps dye packets.

I was observing a golf driving range the other day and it occurred to me that once the range was loaded with golf balls, it would be and easy surface to model. It also occurred to me that I could send a laser through a diffraction grating and instantly project registration marks onto a subject to be captured by simultaneous multiple cameras.

You calculation would only hold true at a 1:1 reproduction and only for motion entirely parallel to the film plane. My Pentax's top shutter speed is 1/4000. Radio signals move at light speed and electricity in a cable (any wiring distances would be extremely short) is about 2/3 the speed of light so camera synchronicity is negligible assuming the circuit is not designed with an intentional built in delay.

Lastly, accuracy, in LAPX's case, is less of a factor than simply capturing the essence of a typical wave shape.

Gareth · 7 Oct 2011, 09:04

@roger said:

Lapx, did you ever finish the wave, how did it turn out?

--Roger

I was wondering the same thing...!!

oganocali · 7 Oct 2011, 09:30

@Roger, you are right about remote camera synchronization but the timing of the mechanical movements sometimes have variability, and some cameras need to be primed first. Grass usually has enough signal.

lapx · 20 Oct 2011, 16:47

So, sorry guy's. This project is one on the highly confidential list and I can't share much at this time:( It's taken on different direction at this time and instead of doing a literal wave they were exploring other curvy shapes.
I appreciate the efforts here which are not in vain and are helpful anycase.

Thanks!