Pilaster capital

chamferman · SketchUp 8, V-Ray 1.49.01

Hello Folks

I would like to model this pilaster capital.
I have imported the jpg into sketchup & tried tracing over the top using freehand, but I am not convinced this is the easiest way.

What would be the best way of going about this?

Thanks In Advance

Simon

davidheim1

Dear Simon,
That's quite a challenge. I've thought about trying this myself, but I usually just take a nap until the feeling goes away.
You can download Corinthian column models from the 3D warehouse, but I don't know that any will be exactly what you want. Creating that distinctive spiral shape at the corners will be extremely difficult with basic SketchUp tools; you will probably have to use one of the plug-ins that allows you to draw compound curves. That's the bad news. The good news is that, because the capital is symmetrical, you only have to draw one-half of one side, then copy and execute a flip along command until you have replicated the entire shape.
Good luck, and keep the forum posted on your progress.
Best,
David Heim

mitcorb

See this thread from the past:
http://sketchucation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=79&t=42479&p=377625&hilit=corinthian#p377504
There may be some insight there. Or it will provide the spark of challenge.

pilou

and also QuickLathe!
See the thread for the simple explanation!

pilou

For all ellipsoïds and curious curves maybe Draw Metal : Curve Maker can help you!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UX1HptFLObM#t=130

Krisidious

talk about jumping in the deep end... a crash course in brain surgery is in your near future. You're gonna need some plugins. a few of them. I would suggest some Artisan, Curvloft, CurveMaker, Vertex Tools among others.

Krisidious

Here's a list of Organic Modeling tuts on Youtube.

https://www.youtube.com/results?gs_rn=25&gs_ri=psy-ab&gs_mss=organic+modeling+in+s&tok=9ff2umuqO1_xv-g8nnk-gw&cp=22&gs_id=cr&xhr=t&q=organic+modeling+in+sketchup&safe=off&bav=on.2,or.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.51156542,d.b2I&biw=1904&bih=960&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=w1

chamferman · SketchUp 8, V-Ray 1.49.01

Thank you for all the useful replies & links.
I have been looking at Greek orders of architecture. The capital I have chosen derives from the Corinthian order, which apparently was not used as much as the others. So keeping with history I might have to go with a easier order

Looking around the web I have seen some really good examples, I was wondering if these were
3d scanned?

TIG

To roll back a bit...

If you are proposing to use lots of these in your model - like capitals for columns in a classical building - then component instances will reduce the load on the processing... BUT remember that every facet still needs calculating for shadows, what it obscures etc... So over detailing can be a killer !

If they will never be viewed close up. then it might be better to make a less detailed form and apply mapped textured to the facets to give the illusion of a more detailed 3d form...

See this thread
http://sketchucation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=79&t=48892&p=439336&hilit=+molding+texture#p439336
It discusses how to make a detailed cornice, using a texture instead of making every 3d facet...