For those interested, here's a build log of several larger and detail images we produced while we were working on the model:
http://tinyurl.com/3ykcwe3

As Troy mentioned we spent quite a bit of our own time on this model to not only get it right but also to test our systems for collaborating on a large complex model. From my perspective the collaboration went far better than I expected considering how little information we had to create the model.

This was really my first attempt at creating CAD ready 2D dxf exports from Sketchup and I was really happy with the lack of clean up required upon import into CAD.

I'm fairly certain that the builder and client saved far more than what we charged by heading off problems in advance. Problems that may not have been caught with a simple 2D drawing.

Robert

Thanks for the excellent feedback....here's a revised version.

Robert

Ross,

Thanks so much for the comment and suggestions. I think you're right on in every one of your critique points! The car and drive in particular was discussed in by our collaboration team and I made the decision to "let it go" and see who noticed Since this was a "exercise" I had pretty much decided this would be my last change. That being said, there is real value for me in learning how to efficiently make changes so I may update the image later today as time allows.

Thanks again for your time,

Robert

Very cool!

I'd sure like to have my AMC Gremlin back...the last vehicle I could actually work on. One step above a riding lawn mower

Robert

This was a for fun project that I've been using to work on my modeling skills. In addition this has been a great exercise in collaboration with another designer.

Modeled in DataCAD/Sketchup with PP in Fotosketcher/Photoshop. Plants/entourage from Entourage Arts.

This was a collaboration with another member of this forum Troy H. who provided suggestions and feedback during the modeling phase. Troy then took the post Fotosketcher image and ran with a retro/sears catalog theme in Photoshop.

I'm thinking about a version with a 2 track or gravel drive, brick chimney rather than stone and some other changes and possibly a fall foliage theme using some of those nice looking trees from Toms Desk.

C/C welcome!

Robert

Nice work!
Love the detail. Looking forward to the street scape.
Are these actual buildings in Ypsi or a representation of the period?

Robert

Dave R...thanks for the Link, that's an excellent find!

Robert

@dave r said:

Wood grain materials are somewhat problematic in that most of the images you can find are too short. If there's any grain pattern at all, it will repeat and will not look realistic. It looks strange to have a cathedral grain pattern repeat all the way down the length of a table top. For larger surfaces the repeating pattern also gives a flitch-matched appearance which is alright if you like that sort of plywood.

An option for decent long wood grain images is Herzog Veneers Longwoods section. Although the images need a bit of cropping and fine tuning, the samples are usually more than long enough and because they give you scales for length and width, you can size the images fairly accurately. With the longer images you can pick out smaller sections of the same image to use across wide things so that the repetition isn't so obvious.

Nice work and very interesting subject matter!
I really like sky in image 3 and 4.

Robert

Has anyone used or is actively using the Cabinet Cruncher software that can give some feedback?
It's suppose to work with Sketchup to develop cut list for cabinets.
http://www.cabinetcruncher.com/

Thanks,

Robert

@shura said:

Thanks Marek, finger painting is what I suspected. A watercolor painting has sharp and and blurred details at the same time, this is what makes your picture look so realistic.
I tried to achieve this with the color blending of the bilateral filter in FS. This one is first watercolor and then median + bilateral. Warehouse model, just a few passes in Twilight.

Nice job...I really like this look!
Can you post the original image?

@bmike:

My wife would agree with you on the red tree!
Thanks for the feedback...much appreciated.

Robert

@unknownuser said:

Can you remember what settings you used for this image Robert? I really like it!

Thanks James,

I think this is pretty close to what I used.

Robert

Not sure if this works or not...took a photo of the fields, sky and tree line behind my house...ran it through FS. The used it as a billboard backdrop behind a SU model.

@sepo said:

quick one

Sepo,

I really like this image! Care to post the original and your settings in FS?

Robert

@ Oli,

Thanks for starting this thread! I really prefer your Fotosketcher image to your rendering in the first post...nice work.
Thanks to this forum and Boofredlay, I discovered Fotosketcher a few days ago. 4 of my friends and colleagues are now using it...it is indeed a fun, easy to use piece of software and you can beat the price.

Here's some photos that I took that were pretty much throwaways until I ran them through the FS watercolor filters.

Robert

After a couple of weeks of experimenting with different methods thanks to this forum I stumbled upon Fotosketcher. This is SU run with the FS watercolor filter.

Feedback and critique welcome.

Robert

Very nice work! I love seeing what can be done with native SU output...it's very encouraging!
My wife will enjoy seeing these pics. She works in a correctional facility that is very far from being as nice as this one...
They don't even have a sauna or sweat lodge

Robert

Thank you for posting this tutorial!

I've had SU since the "at last" days but just now getting back into it. I spent pretty much the whole day yesterday experimenting with this method and variations of it. It's a fun and creative way to work!

Robert

I second the Kerkythia suggestion. I've not personally tried it but several people use the free Gimp for photo manipulation.

Robert

Hi CodyV1,

Thanks for your words.

On Picasa. I do have Picasa 3 loaded as a image viewer and it has limited features. All three images were cropped (which could be done in Picasa) and a pencil overlay layer imported and applied to soften and blend the drawing in Photoshop (I don't think that could be done in Picasa) The last image I ran processed through Piranesi and then finished off in Photoshop.

Regards,

Robert