Old Downtown

tuna1957

ntxdave , no question is dumb it’s how we learn. The building cutout is to give reflections in the windows of the storefronts in the render view.

ntxdave

Aaaah, I missed that. Views it on my small iPad so did not see them.

L i am

Hi Tuna, Really nice start mate If you have the patients to finish it properly and are willing to take the time with details that is going to be an absolute cracking render
Just a thought....SU "fog' may assist with the atmosphere if done well

I have attathed some models/textures that may be worth considering using in your model. The intersecion might be gold if you can scale it to fit.
Also have a look at models by "Cronoz-artes" in 3D Warehouse, he is amazing with texturing. His street furniture would be perfect to use in your model....absolutely perfect
Hope this stuff helps

Have a look at: https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/user/daa5767f-cf34-4300-ae9a-361f5e702660/Cronoz-artes#contact. He is amazing

Covers and asphalt.skp

Intersection.skp

tuna1957

L i am , Thanks for your input it's always helpful. Appreciate you taking the time to post some models although I can't use them , I work in SU 2015 primarily but also have SU2018 installed...... Not real big on using models out of the warehouse , I try to muddle my way through the best I can building what I need if I don't have it in my "model library" already. Will admit though the car I'm using is a Formfont model purchased back when I was still getting paid for this kind of work. Also have some curtains in upstairs windows that are out of Solo's Curtain Pack in the SketchUcation store.

Have a pretty good visual in mind of where I want to go with this model, trying to recreate a montage of places I've been and seen in earlier years before stoplights on every corner and signs every five feet telling you what not to do....

Guess I'll keep pecking away at it as time allows.... Posting another lo-res render test. Messing with textures and tried a sunrise HDRI I haven't used before.... Cheers all .

old downtown_hdri test_PP.png

L i am

All good Tuna, Just in case you can use them I have attached models in SU 2015. Others may do so as well.covers and patches 2015.skp Intersection 2015.skp

Bryan K

Looking good. Real good. Keep on.

tuna1957

L i am , didn't really expect you to go to the trouble of reposting those models, many thanks for the effort. Thanks Bryan , still plugging along . Making little changes , tweaking on textures and bunches of quick test renders. I'll get there eventually

Mike Amos

Very nice piece, looking forward to progressions.

tuna1957

Thanks Mike. Here's another test render..... been making small changes to the model itself and down to tweaking texture set ups in Twilight. Doing bunches of short test renders..... All in all it's progressing I think

old downtown3_Scene 8.jpg

ntxdave

@tuna1957 said:

.... All in all it's progressing I think

Agree

tuna1957

Thanks ntxdave. Still tweaking on the model and textures. Getting a little carried away, models up over a million edges now Road surface giving me fits. What looks good in daytime render not so good when I test. It in nighttime light. Go figure. I’ll get it figured out eventually

Bryan K

Yep. Looking good!

tuna1957

Thanks Bryan. Posting the latest version of the model as of today. Minor tweaks here and there ! I'm starting to obsess
over the details now....... . Also posting a test render that I took into Gimp and went black and white with it. Was kind of fun experiment that I've never tried before

old downtown3_raw.jpg

old downtown3_test_B&W3.jpg

ntxdave

In some ways I think I like the black and white one the best. Given the type, and apparent age of the buildings and car, it looks like an old photo of a small town (kind of like the town where I grew up) back in the 50’s.

HornOxx

This is an outstanding work Charles! - and yes, also my favourite is the black and white picture. Only the so shiny car without a licence plate reveals for me, that it is a render instead of a photo.
It reflects entirely all the perceptions(?) of a small town in the USA, even for someone like me, who has never been there...

tuna1957

Thanks guys..... A license plate ! Darn I new I'd forget something obvious . HornOxx your not off about the car having to much shine. Been experimenting with layering "dirt/grunge" maps over the paint in Twilight but haven't quite got the look right yet. The experiments continue !

Bryan K

That black and white looks like a photo!

alvis

@bryan k said:

That black and white looks like a photo!

Yap

tuna1957

Bryan , alvis thanks gents. Posting another test render. This one I used a sunrise HDRI for the environment. Rendered at a larger size than earlier test. Of course I had to do a bit of messing about with Gimp..... Far from perfect but I think I'm making progress.

old downtown3_sunrise_linear_PP copy.jpg

L i am

Nice work and definately progressing, the thing I like is that you are moving forward and not just saying that is good enough. That experimenting is what sets aside an OK render from an exellent render. If I can say one thing it is the left botom kerb it looks to pristine. I would expect to see some cracks and or rubbish.......leaves, a coke can or scrunched up paper bag etc. Keep up the good work And you say you have an old computer. You have patients to burn