Best way of modeling a column capital ...

leedeetee · 9 Jan 2012, 15:41

Hello chaps,

I'm currently modelling a large stately home, as there's going to be a ton of geometry and my laptop is rubbish, I want to make sure I'm modeling things in the best possible way. Also, my modelling of these organicy shapes leaves a lot to be desired, so, before I make a total hash of it and throw the laptop through the window, I'm hoping someone can advise on the best way to model the capital in the photograph? Would it be Artisan? Or is this overkill?

Huge thanks.

Rich O Brien · 9 Jan 2012, 15:54

That will kill SU. But good challenge. Though they are plentiful on Archive3D. I'd use a texture in place if possible. Properly projected or mapped on lo-poly version would look great.

leedeetee · 9 Jan 2012, 15:59

Thanks Rich, the thought of a photo-texture never even entered my head.

I don't intend doing any close ups of the columns so this should be great, just need some jiggerypokery in PS first then.

Thanks again.

Rich O Brien · 9 Jan 2012, 16:03

You could bastadize this....

http://www.archive3d.net/?a=download&id=e8ccefe6

That'd be cheating though

leedeetee · 9 Jan 2012, 16:05

@unknownuser said:

That'd be cheating though

Hehe, it sure would.

andybot · 9 Jan 2012, 17:13

I've yet to find a halfway decent corinthian capital in any 3D repository. If you find one let me know. I like the suggestion to do a photo-textured low-poly version.

Alan Fraser · 9 Jan 2012, 22:44

Rich is right; use a texture. I have modelled a corinthian column in geometry, but even the low poly version was nearly 4000 faces. If you've got a lot of them, that's not good news.

The capital below, however, is image based and only has 423 faces...just enough to provide decent looking corners.
Obviously it requires a column, but that's not going to amount to much.
Sorry I can't share, as it's commercial...but it at least shows what can be done with ultra low poly and a map.

pilou · 9 Jan 2012, 22:56

Just for info because it's make with ZBrush
But the construction can maybe be help you on your project!

By Nicolas

andybot · 10 Jan 2012, 00:23

of course! I should have checked formfonts !
The columns there look pretty nice Alan!

for example:
http://www.formfonts.com/viewModel.php?id=4699&config=3&action=&sub_action=&type=&active=

leedeetee · 10 Jan 2012, 10:17

Hi all,

Thanks so much for the input. I definitely think a texture is the way forward, will post up the finished article in the WIP thread when it's done.

Thanks again.

Lee

leedeetee · 10 Jan 2012, 13:08

Came up with this. Get's found out with a close up but doesn't look too bad from further away.

Thanks again for all your help.

Gaieus · 10 Jan 2012, 13:54

That's more than sufficient IMO. Pilou's solution is obviously an overkill unless you are examining it from a couple of centimetres (but still an overkill as far as invested time is concerned - ZBrush or not, you only spend days on a capital like that if you want to show of with that detail only).

Can you show a real close-up so we can see where the "cheat" with textures begin?

leedeetee · 10 Jan 2012, 15:20

Here it is. Think the geometry could be reduced a bit more but going to run with this at the moment anyway.

Gaieus · 10 Jan 2012, 15:26

Thanks.

Indeed, as you are there to represent geometry much with textures, there could be some place of further reduction but still better than modelling every part.