As dcauldwell said I think photomatch is really good for smaller buildings. I don't think that 3d Studio or AutoCad are significantly more accurate though when it comes to complex geometry. I tend to just go out with the camera and photograph every elevation I need and then apply them all as textures to an estimated or measured model. it takes longer but it is much more accurate

Yes I saw the posts, this forum seems like an odd place to try to sell counterfeit watches.

A Lazer distometer is the best method. Get a Leica one if you can afford it, I have a cheaper Ryobi distometer and it's not much use.

Or if you have a clear enough photo and the building is just a couple of storeys, count the brick courses. A standard modern brick is 65mm high, a standard mortar joint is 10mm high, so say 75mm per course. Count the brickcourses and multiply by 75. Older bricks will vary in size but if you can measure one of the bricks then you have a starting point.

Alan

I have tried to upload plenty of buildings in the UK, I have clients that want me to get their buildings on there. I have just given a client their deposit back. If the model is outside of London and any more complex than a cube with some photos stuck on it then I think Google must overlook it. I have followed the guidance notes to the letter and optimised the models as much as possible. It is very frustrating.

My dad dabbled with Catia at British Aerospace, he worked there for 30 years, and in later years got involved in CAD. He has said words to the effect that Catia has a steep learning curve but it is a very capable tool.

Just the usual format along the lines of:

"You do not know me but I know one of your relatives in Chad. Yes you do have a relative in Chad. Anyway that's academic as they are now dead. However they have bequeathed you several million in Chad francs, an emu farm and a doughnut mine. If you are interested please send me your bank details, and if you can spare it, your passport........."

stu wrote

@unknownuser said:

most vocal people here are often the least talented.

Yep I'll own up to that.

So no comment on this thread from me.

Jon

Beautiful work, beautiful website

SU models need to be more touchy feely

@unknownuser said:

Patents and copyrights will be an issue...

The Creative commons license might be a way to deal with this, essentially the design is free for users to do what they want with as long as all changes are documented and the original concept is attributed back to us.

@unknownuser said:

...that can be handled with non-profit agreements etc

To deny users the right to profit might seriously limit the potential of say a modular building.

Screw it, lets go for a whole SU operating system. All other apps will sit on top of it and be fully integrated.

Remus, Plot

I think you are both suggesting greater ui flexibility. In total contradiction to my laptop mode suggestion, the best examples I have seen of this is in an opensource cad program called Octree and in a modelling app called Real 3d. In Octree there are no toolbars at all, everything is accessed by right clicking to reveal toolbars. This allows you to take advantage of the whole of your monitor display for workspace.

Plot, for total blue sky thinking I LOVE the idea of "nicking things from other apps". Wouldn't it be great if you could run elements of different apps on an SU scene tab, a spreadsheet in one, photoshop filters in another. Or just fly in the face of copyright and create a function that would allow to bring in a set of tools from another modelling app.

Or and I'm really pushing it now, SU "Skins" for complex apps like Maya or Blender. You could run this skin in other apps to simplify using them. If Google came up with this they would really ruffle some feathers.

oh sorry, misread

Good thread Remus

This is my third attempt at writing a post, I keep realising "oh I think that other app can do that".

1 So on a slightly diferent tack I am going to suggest a "laptop mode" that allows you to efficiently operate SU without a mouse. While there are loads of SU keyboard shortcuts I think it is still more efficient to use a mouse. As I work freelance I often find myself sat in stations or trying to draw stuff on a building site where there is no good surface for a mouse. The touchpad on my laptop is too sensitive for practical modelling purposes.

It would be great if you could switch to an alternative gui that was optimised for a laptop requiring no mouse. I'm sure some will see this as a backwards step reminiscent of ms-dos but I think it would be very useful.

2 Some cad apps can do this but I don't think any modelling apps can. A bluetooth facility to input dimensions directly into SU from a lazer disto measuring device - see link. This will automatically draw floor plans perhaps making use of the cursor keys to specify xy directions as you go around the space measuring. This would go some way to eliminating the need for 2d cad survey drawings prior to modelling when working on alterations to existing buildings. There would also be parametric symbols for doors, windows etc.

- Merlin Lazer Ltd

(www.merlinlazer.com)

Hi, Nice render. Are you sure that is a Vanquish? The proportions don't look right.

@unknownuser said:

WTH is subdivideandsmooth not free?

Subdivideandsmooth is very cheap for what it allows you to do.

Pete thanks for explianing your workflow and preferences. I had a very early version of Vue, I think it was the only render app that I ever got near to really understanding. I didn't like it for modelling though, but I was always happy with the renders. I think you have convinced me to invest in Vue 7.

Wow they are great. Like Solo, I particularly like the chair.

@unknownuser said:

Ive done it once already, you dont have to do this right of passage more than once do you?

Probably, I find that failing to plan and bad time management are traits of alot of designers. The mavericks stay up all night.

I voted no, because no sleep will make you ill, but on second thoughts go for it. If you take in no work you'll feel more despondent than if you take in some. I have to agree with Daniel the all nighter is a rights of passage. You'll look back at it with pride that you beat the clock.

I used to be a habitual midnight worker, although I have weened myself of it in recent years. Final project for uni I think I went 3 or 4 days with only a few hours sleep. I remember one day going to bed at 8 a.m and then getting up at 9 a.m. It was horrible but I wouldn't have finished otherwise.

One of my first jobs after uni involved building a model for an 11.am meeting in Edinburgh. I started making the model at around midnight the night before, got the 6.a.m train and finished it on the train. I thought I'd done well although in the meeting various bits of the model did fall off.

Get off this forum now, drink some coffee and make it happen.