Hi Everybody,

Don't know where to post this or if it's even allowed to post stuff made with other than SU, but wanted to share this and I'm looking for some feedback on the model. Been diving into furniture modeling and subd modeling in particular.I know SU has the great artisan plugin for subd modeling, but I prefer to do subd modeling in other apps like Blender or Cinema 4D.
With subd modeling the method is the same in most software. When working on interior scene's I always struggle with finding realistic furniture models. The only good furniture models for photorealistic rendering that I could find are the ones from Design Connected and Model+Model. I've had a look at the wireframe renders on the sites and decided to dive into subd modeling and sculpting. The subd modeling part of furniture modeling is not that hard once you've had I little practice. I've spend a lot of time focusing on the seams of pillows. Inward and outward seams. The hardest part in my opinion is the creases of the fabric. There are a few methods to make creases like sculpting or using displacement maps. I'm still not sure what the best method is. Still a long way to go but I hope I'm on the right track. Love some comments on the model and render.

Hi Ichi,
Í don't think its that easy. There are big differences between modeling in apps like Maya, 3dsMax, modo, cinema4d and sketchup. I also looked into al lot of options including Maya. I think the best way for you to improve your maya skills is by following good tutorials like the ones from Digital Tutors for example. I've learned Subdivision modeling by following one tutorial. After the tutorial I was able to model a T-rex .
After that you will know the basics like navigation and modeling tools.

Greetz Twan

Hi Everybody,

Thanks for the great comments on the model and render. Here's an updated version. I changed the plant and added some details.

Greetz Twan

Hi Everybody,

It has been a while since my last post. I've modeled this living in SU. Coffeetable is also modeled in SU. Rest of the models are made in other apps. Render made with Vray.
I'd love some feedback on the model and the render. Still on a quest to achieve photorealism. Still a lot to learn. The carpet needs more work I think.

Greetz Twan

Hi Everybody,

I would like to submit this model made by SketchNL. In my opinion this one belongs here in this topic.

Hi Everybody,

I've been reading this post with interest. I also came to the conclusion a while ago that the models available for SU are to low poly in most cases to use in photorealistic rendering.

The fact that models available for SU are so low poly is because of the fact that SU can't handle high poly models that well. Don't get me wrong. I love modeling in SU. But for more complex shapes and details in for example furniture models you will have to use other modeling apps. I know that there are a few reasonably good models of furniture in the SCF model shop, but that's as far as it goes in my opinion.

With furniture models the realism is in the creases, seams etc. The only good option to do this is by importing mesh in Sculpting app like Zbrush. The problem is that the models in most cases wilk be to large to use in SU. When compositing your scene in another app than SU there's no problem and large models are no problem.

I've made some high poly models in other apps. Some furniture models, lighting and windows. I don't know what the policy is of the SCF models shop. Do the models have to be modeled in SU? If not then i'm willing to upload some of my models for free or a small fee. I'll post a few pics of the models when I have acces to my workstation in the afternoon.

Greetz

Twan

Hi Everybody,

I've been reading the comments here and I too am disapointed with the new release.

The thing i'm not sure of is if it's allowed to keep using previous free versions for commercial use?

Greetings Twan

Evermotion Archinteriors won't work in SU. Way to big. You can use them in Max or Cinema 4D.

Greetz Twan

This reminds me of a render I made a time ago.This might be the only occasion that it's appropriate to post this . The scene started as a challenge. I challenged a friend of mine to model a Joint in SU ( aka doobie, aka dutchy, don't know what you guys call it over there ). I have to say that I was suprised by the realism of the model. Models made in SU and render made with Indigo.

Greetz Twan

The only option in SU is to use Artisan. But don't think you want to model a lions head in SU. This is more something for Zbrush. It is possible in SU but If you want a few details such as the mains and stuff you will reach SU limits soon.

Greetz Twan

I have the problem that I have to combine my creative work with my every day job as a pension advisor. ( yes I know, It's a job where there's no or little creativity involved ). So after my day job I startup my computer and finally have some time for my favourite thing: 3D modeling en visualisation. But after a few hours behind my desktop and a few Medicinal cigarettes
( Heyz I'm from Holland so its manditory ) My eyes are glued shut and It's time for bed.

Thanx for the nice comments and tips. I will give the floor some more reflection and will bump up the concrete on the ceiling.

I guess you are right that someone might bump their head when standing up when sitting on the left side of the sofa. I think this is a design vs usability question.

Greetz Twan

Hey Guys,

Been a long time since my last post. Busy on a project right now. Wanted to share this scene I've been working on in the little spare time. Model made in SU and render with Vray.
Love some feedback.

Greetz Twan

you are both right. I know that I'm expecting something from SU that it wasn't made for. All the great plugins make it go a long way but in the end the only good way to go is to switch modeling apps when doing product modeling. I also don't think Trimble will go on the product modeling path with SU, altough I hope they do.

Hi Everybody,

Don't know how to put it but I was wondering If anyone else also sometimes comes to that point in your modeling proces in SU that you become frustrated by the limitations that SU has?
I'm not talking about large models or the hole 64bit issue because that's not a real problem if you organize your models right and use Max or Blender as a model/scene holder.
I'm talking about the messed up geometry and the problems when using round corners on a complex shape.

I run into these problem a lot lately since I'm practicing my modeling skills by modeling products. I feel that the only limitation there should be is the limitation of your imagination and not of the possibilities of the tool. Don't get me wrong, SU still will be a big part of my workflow, but for product modeling it's not my friend. I can't stop to think about where SU would be if Google had taken another path with SU and not the Google Earth modeling buildings path.

If you look at Rhino for example or Spaceclaim. That's what we ( I ) need in SU. I've played with the trail version of Rhino, and I must say that it's the first time that I got a SU feeling when modeling in another app. Except Rhino does the things that SU won't let you do. Nice clean Fillets. Clean sweeps and blends and a geometry that is usable.

I'm done with my complaning now . But would be interested in your thoughts about this.

Greetz Twan

@ThomThom: This is THE tool that wil make product modeling in SU a whole lot easier and cleaner. Especially since nowadays everything in design is beveled, smoothed and aerodynamic.
Don't know if it will be a part of the plugin you are working on but the ideal tool in my opinion is a plugin that lets you weld geometry together and the plugin calculates the best option to weld the geometry together automatically adjusting the geometry where the two objects meet. But maybe this is Utopia in SU. Hope that the work on the plugin is coming along nicely and that we may welcome this plugin to the sketchucation family soon

PS: I'm hoping to finaly model this espresso cup tonight. Will post the result when ready. Then maybe I can finaly finish the scene it's supposed to be in.

Greetz Twan

Thanx for al the good tips and feedback. I know that this can be better done in another app like MOI, Blender or 3dmax, and I've tried modeling it in blender. eventually I wil get it done in Blender but My modeling skills and speed are very poor with blender. I just want to do this in SU where I know all my shortcuts and where modeling is very intuitive.

Greetz Twan

Jeff is right. i'm looking for a way to fillet the edge. Curviloft might be a option. I hadn't thought of that. going to give it a try.

Hi Guys,

I've been working on a model that needs a espresso cup in the scene ( Guess what it is ). I've been breaking my head the past couple of hours trying to figure out how to join the ear to the cup. I've tried intersecting and then use round edges but I can't seem to get the geometry clean. I'd love some tips or pointers on this one.

Greetz Twan

Hi TIG,

I've been reading this thread after beeingdirected here. I asked a question about export formats in the sketchup discussion part of the forum.

My question is if there is any way to export from SU with Ngons. When rendering in C4D my mesh gives strange results in the geometry around the area where I used Round corners plugin. I think it's because of the triangulation. Any suggestions?

greetz Twan