[Tutorial] Building a waterfall

EarthMover · 8 Sept 2009, 16:06

I was trying to figure out a quick and easy way to make a model of a waterfall into a pool.

I basically just created a closed arc and took the freehand tool and drew out the general area of the stones.

I grouped all the shapes individually and then push pulled them to the heights. Starting with this as the base. -

I used the Round Edges plugin and rounded the tops of the extruded shapes and softened them to make the boulders. Here's a screen capture of me working on this. Sorry the size is so big...I forgot to minimize it. http://www.screencast.com/users/EarthMover/folders/Jing/media/b754e77f-62ea-4596-a3a0-eada4436950d

For the water I used the Drape Cpoints and Triangulate points plugins and then manipulated the water to spill over the rocks. http://www.screencast.com/users/EarthMover/folders/Jing/media/c7eb106f-d194-43ec-9836-dfcd32587ff5

I added more rocks using the Blend ruby and the freehand tool. http://www.screencast.com/users/EarthMover/folders/Jing/media/d8a3b120-310c-42b1-83ef-d2dbece452b7

From there I did some quick texturing and moved the waterfall into the scene I needed it for and rendered it out for the client.

It could be a lot better with the rocks all having different textures and all, but I didn't have a lot of time allotted to this one.

The technique is there and can be improved and expanded on. I just wanted to share the 3 five minute screen recordings I did while I was modeling.

Rich O Brien · 8 Sept 2009, 16:17

thanks Adam, that's a great tutorial and i got some great tips on how to appraoch things from a different perspective. Strange how what makes perfect sense to me , in terms of workflow , seems a convoluted approach once you view another user's technique.

Again thanks for the 'How-To' i got alot from it.

d12dozr · 8 Sept 2009, 23:11

Thanks Adam, I also learned lots from this tutorial...in fact I have been wishing some of the SU masters here would post screencasts of random projects - just a glimpse at their workflow would help newbies tremendously.

EarthMover · 9 Sept 2009, 01:44

Thanks guys. I just signed up for a paid Screencast subscription so I could have more bandwith for tutorials. I'll be making more screengrabs in the future.

solo · 9 Sept 2009, 19:28

Adam, cool tutorial, and a few tools you have that I've never used. Yikes you do have lots of plugins, I don't recognise half of them.

Anyway I uploaded a pool waterfall here: http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=21835&p=183387#p183387 I did this a while back and thought seems you have a tutorial going I would share it.

rickgraham · 27 Nov 2009, 02:56

<bowing to the masters> I'm not worthy!

I have a questions which is somewhat related. This is my FIRST model in SU. I know it has all kinds of errors in it (we all have to start somewhere).

I have it on 3DWarehouse: http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/search?q=progress112409&styp=m&btnG=Search&reps=3

My question is how do I model the stream as the water is going down hill (not flat). Any tips you (or anyone) can provide will be greatly appreciated!

Rick

pr0bka · 3 Dec 2009, 18:57

Great tutorial!!! and great texture!!! thanks a lot for the tips. just one question...

how did you edit the alpha channel in Sketch up?? i can't seem to get the black to go away.

robert111 · 16 Mar 2010, 16:21

i need triangulate points plugin

EarthMover · 16 Mar 2010, 16:31

robert111, Here's the link for triangulate ruby - http://www.crai.archi.fr/RubyLibraryDepot/Ruby/points_cloud_triangulation.rb

Also renders of two other waterfalls I model with this technique, although the boulders were built separately in these..

robert111 · 16 Mar 2010, 16:37

i dont open this web i dont know why

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EarthMover · 16 Mar 2010, 16:45

Sorry about that. Try here - http://rhin.crai.archi.fr/RubyLibraryDepot/Ruby/en_geo_page.htm

You need to find Points_Cloud_Triangulation.rb. Right click and save the link to your plugins folder. It also requires Delaunay2.rb to work. Find it here - http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?p=117071#p117071