THE HARDCORE MODELING MINI-CHALLENGE #2! Big Ben

[SamSed]

Wow oh Wow , i'm IN (hope i can get it done in time)

good luck to everyone :thumbsup: !

[Rod Seffen]

This challenge is nowhere near as difficult or huge as it appears at first glance.
You just have to look at how much repetition is involved in a neo-gothic style building like this, there are so many repeated motifs and sections, and it's all about cloning and placing whole sections of the building built from smaller cloned sections.
THere's not that much actual modeling to be done really.
If I could show you only the uncloned bullding, i.e, the unique parts, the parts that have to be modeled from scratch, it wouldn't look such a dauntung task.

[BernieK]

sounds like fun! i will give this one a shot, let's see if i can finish it...

Cheers!

[fx81]

agree 100% with oDDity

in addition to repetition, you would also need a good sense of scale and polygon economy.
if you plan to model the whole palace then better manage your polycount well from the begining or you are gonna start reaching 5+ million polycount before you even model half of it.

however, without an original blueprint of the architecture i believe most of the small details like the small letters and symbols are gonna be guesswork.

besides the technical aspect, i really dont find this artistically motivating enough to model. but it sure is a challenge and a tedious job.

[Rod Seffen]

Heh, well at least it's not the Eiffel Tower. That would have been far worse.
'Model one girder and clone it 20,000 times'
I agree with the spiralling poly count problem though, I modeled the inside of Bath Abbey once, and the poly count was getting ridiculous before I had one arch and ceiling section completed, if I had done the necessary cloning to complete the whole building, my computer would have melted.

[RobertoOrtiz]

As stated before we will switch between Organic and non organic modeling.

For those who are going to sit this one out, the next one will be based on a famous 2d work of art.


-R

[fx81]

yes, ill wait for the next challenge but in the mean time i will definitely follow the progress of other artists who are participating and hopefully learn new hard-surface modeling techniques.

should be fun watching how the structure builds up

[gaiXyn]

This challenge is nowhere near as difficult or huge as it appears at first glance.
You just have to look at how much repetition is involved in a neo-gothic style building like this, there are so many repeated motifs and sections, and it's all about cloning and placing whole sections of the building built from smaller cloned sections.
THere's not that much actual modeling to be done really.
If I could show you only the uncloned bullding, i.e, the unique parts, the parts that have to be modeled from scratch, it wouldn't look such a dauntung task.

yah, I'm no expert, but I agree as well, I don't think my poor PC can handle this, so like fx81 I may sit this one out. I am aware that we don't have to model the whole thing, but I'm still finishing David ( which I feel very strongly I should finish ) If I get done with it in time, then I may still enter b/c it does look fun after all.

[slangford]

Even though I do architectural modeling all day long at work and I swore I wouldn't do it after hours... I think I'll try to take a stab at this one.

Good Luck to Everyone!! :thumbsup:

[IestynRoberts]

This challenge is nowhere near as difficult or huge as it appears at first glance.
You just have to look at how much repetition is involved in a neo-gothic style building like this, there are so many repeated motifs and sections, and it's all about cloning and placing whole sections of the building built from smaller cloned sections.
THere's not that much actual modeling to be done really.
If I could show you only the uncloned bullding, i.e, the unique parts, the parts that have to be modeled from scratch, it wouldn't look such a dauntung task.

-Good point there oDDity. The results that will be shown here is gonna be amazing - i cant wait to see what comes up, I hope no-one get a hold of the 'V for Vendetta' model :) That was just awsome. Good challenge, i'll see if i have some time to try this one out.
-Iest

[jdtiX]

Argh!! My HEAD!! :banghead::cry:
I wanna do it, then I see the pictures and turn into a sissy, then I close them and become corageous, then see the pictures and turn into a sissy, then I close them and become corageous, then see the pictures and turn into a sissy, then I close them and become corageous, then see the pictures and turn into a sissy, then I close them and become corageous, then I...

[ChewyPixels]

Busy with some work right now, but I just might join in afterwards.

Besides, need something to keep me busy before the next big CGTalk challenge. :D

[ChewyPixels]

This challenge is nowhere near as difficult or huge as it appears at first glance.
You just have to look at how much repetition is involved in a neo-gothic style building like this, there are so many repeated motifs and sections, and it's all about cloning and placing whole sections of the building built from smaller cloned sections.
THere's not that much actual modeling to be done really.
If I could show you only the uncloned bullding, i.e, the unique parts, the parts that have to be modeled from scratch, it wouldn't look such a dauntung task.

I totally agree. The difficulty imo lies in the lack of good reference photos. Those links just don't do it for me...except for maybe the clock face one. Might have to run out to the library for this one. :)

[LEGC]

Count me in.

[HellBoy]

defenetly will participate


good one

[CupOWonton]

I cant find any dwg's or anything of big ben's elevations.
I'd like to be able to build it as close to the real thing as possible

[djrovers123]

hiii this is my first attempt to do such a big thing and also my first step towerds improvement in my work i will try my level best
i am in

[Equinoxx]

ah right up my Archviz Alley :D

CupOWonton ... i'm sure you won't find any either.
the wiki states that the hourhand is 9ft, I guess that a good place to start from in terms of size and relations ...

[alshakno]

This challenge is nowhere near as difficult or huge as it appears at first glance.
You just have to look at how much repetition is involved in a neo-gothic style building like this, there are so many repeated motifs and sections, and it's all about cloning and placing whole sections of the building built from smaller cloned sections.
THere's not that much actual modeling to be done really.
If I could show you only the uncloned bullding, i.e, the unique parts, the parts that have to be modeled from scratch, it wouldn't look such a dauntung task.

Agree Agree
that is hard man!
and dont need skills
it just need some time and some work
i will wait for the next challeneg
at the first one i just can work abouat 2 days! but the next one will be in summer and i have lots of time for that! :D
good luck for enteries

[Fabrizo]

I actualy attempted to re-create Big Ben about a year ago, but found it involved far too much guess work with the photo references I was able to find to be acceptably accurate. Hence I wish good luck uppon any who would take on this challenge, as I expect you'll need it.

[RobertoOrtiz]

Well we have posted tons of reference, and we will post more over the weekend.

-R

[jkuy]

oh man, so tempting! makes me want to dump my current project!!! Even if I don't finish on time this is a cool object to model! Thanks for the heads up guys, I will get started the day after yesterday! later

[rasmusW]

i'll think i pass on this one aswell.
but i sure will, check in now and then...

good luck guys!

-r

[durbdk]

Well, I've graduated, got a steady job, and actually have some free time now, so I think I will try this one even though it's very different from my daily work (modelling baggage conveyor installations for airports...more fun than it sounds!) and so think I may find myself struggling a little, but what the hey! nothing ventured, nothing gained!

Besides, I think it's been over a year since I posted ANYTHING here... :sad:

Good luck to all!

[LucianoNeves]

Will be amazing :bounce: good luck friends :thumbsup:

[fx81]

Hello Luciano,
i have seen your works before they are simply amazing:thumbsup:

are you participating in this challenge ?

[maya-3d]

i think im going to do this but i think ill wait for more refrence images

[gaiXyn]

i think im going to do this but i think ill wait for more refrence images

why wait? :shrug: you can get the basics modeled while you wait for the other references.

[KurtS]

http://www.altavista.com/image/results?q=%22big+ben&mik=photo&mik=graphic&mip=all&mis=all&miwxh=large

good luck! To much work for me, but I will look in now and then!

[LucianoNeves]

Hi Fx81, thanks a lot.

Yes I will participate and you ?

regards,

[Rod Seffen]

Heh, that's some crazily great architecture you've done, Luciano, I suspect if you're entering the contest, then everyone esle will be fighting for second place :cry:
I'm sitting this one out as well, I'm continuing my anatomy studies from the previous challenge, and buildings dont' really turn me on anyway.

[gaiXyn]

I'm sitting this one out as well, I'm continuing my anatomy studies from the previous challenge, and buildings dont' really turn me on anyway.

haha, it would seem that mostly everyone from the previous challenge is sitting this one out. I wonder if it's because this challenge is non-organic, or everyone's just exhausted from David, :D

[Chrisdc]

I don't really know how to model a building this complicated...

...so of course I'm in. Head-first is the only way to learn.

[maya-3d]

this might help a bit http://www.kristinabraham.com/Big Ben (bright).jpg

i will start with this piece first :D

[Noggy]

I doubt I can come close to any of your guys models but I will try!

As long as I'm not the worst then I'll be happy. I love the idea and can't wait to start.

[fx81]

hehe Luciano, if you participate then i can already see the winner :scream:

i wasnt thinking of participating earlier, but...

lets see ..:twisted:

[LucianoNeves]

hahah friend fx81 thanks....:)
for we made like a realistic image is not easy, maybe will be so hard...but I will participated if I cand do like a realistic image...like a photo and do one small movie.
We have many good artists in the world and I hope all participate.

best regards

[Simpkinsfs]

Im not in the challenge but like to look in the forum to see peoples work i like it alot. i was looking at alot of photo and it looks like all for sides r the same. So if u were able to model one side of it really good u could duplicate and save alot of time because i cant tell i difference in the side. Soo good modeling and have fun with your challenge.

[ndat]

This image is helping me the most

http://www.eriding.net/media/photos/geography/england/london/051109_anunn_mp_geog_eng_lon_001.jpg

It's more straight on and you can acctually kind of see the little figures in the corners of the clockface.

Edit These too:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/57/Big_Ben_Feb_2006.jpg

incredible shot allowing you to see a lot of the detail.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/aa/Big.ben.scaled.arp.750pix.jpg

some scale and more angles.

http://www.adamspiers.org/photos/London/friends/Stacey_visit/Big_Ben_closeup.jpg

Big and sort of blury but you can see some more detail.

[SanderWit]

Funny contest. I will join.

Here is a little test I did.
http://img50.imageshack.us/img50/4170/render034fe.jpg
It's Ben's clock.. :P

[hobo]

I'm not saying that I'll have a go at this, but those who do might find this usefull

http://www.parliament.uk/documents/upload/G11.pdf

especially pages 9/10

[jojo1975]

It will be simply amazing to see all the works poster. And it will be a good opportunity to download reference material for a newbie like me :)
A question for SanderWit, can I have some hints about the central decoration of the clock ?
Are other parts extruded spline ?

Good Work to all the Masters and hope to see soon a lot of posts :)

Jojo

[Bonzodogboy]

I will throw my hat into the ring...
Count me in. :)

[maya-3d]

yello :D here is my progress report .. didnt render cause i kina suck at it
-----

[SanderWit]

Create only one peace of it, than duplicate it 8 times and rotate it around the centre of the clock. It isn't that hard. Same with most other things in the clock: just create one and duplicate it 12 or 60 times around the centre.
I use Blender.

Good luck to you all!

[newman]

This challenge is nowhere near as difficult or huge as it appears at first glance.
You just have to look at how much repetition is involved in a neo-gothic style building like this, there are so many repeated motifs and sections, and it's all about cloning and placing whole sections of the building built from smaller cloned sections.
THere's not that much actual modeling to be done really.
If I could show you only the uncloned bullding, i.e, the unique parts, the parts that have to be modeled from scratch, it wouldn't look such a dauntung task.

If you do it properly there's still a lot of work. Sure, you could just clone elements around, but a professional model would have it all on a single mesh, with welded vertexes so there's just 1 element. And doing all that can take a surprising ammount of time. I think the guys who came up with the theme knew what they were doing... :)

[cyclad]

why would a pro make it one mesh? wouldnt that make it hard to apply changes? just askin, wat are the advantages?

[Denzivex]

This is what I have so far.... Im pretty new at Wings3d...I dont got much experiencehttp://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/PkScooby/BigBenProject.gif

[cbernardo]

This challenge looks great!

I'm in!

[]s
carlos

[sirpetr]

i will try to participate in this modeling challenge....
have so far only this, but will try to keep it up

http://img236.imageshack.us/img236/6964/render14qc.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

tri count : 45000

[zzzrByte]

sirpetr: Don't be so modest. You're off to a great start! I especially like the windows on the bottom, the decorations look great.

One thing, please keep posting your progress on a separate thread, and not in this main one. I promise to subscribe and follow it and try and offer some criticism and tips :thumbsup:

[ysvry]

great work sander, good to see u promote blender in here.

can u give me an adress of that media colledge in amsterdam , never heard of it.

Funny contest. I will join.

Here is a little test I did.
http://img50.imageshack.us/img50/4170/render034fe.jpg
It's Ben's clock.. :P

[Wardile]

If you do it properly there's still a lot of work. Sure, you could just clone elements around, but a professional model would have it all on a single mesh, with welded vertexes so there's just 1 element. And doing all that can take a surprising ammount of time. I think the guys who came up with the theme knew what they were doing... :)

Can anyone comment on this, what would be the benefit?

Personaly id weld everything, not cause im pro... its just what i do.

[NRG-Alpha]

No offense to anyone (including you, nighttrain), but I fail to understand where welding all the verts come into play.

I think the only reason why someone might want to have that effect is to smoothly blend two shapes together in the mesh with a nice beveled appearence where the shapes intersect (as you would need to have it as one clean mesh with welded verts to accomplish this cleanly). But other then that, if the object calls for hard edges, I would not waste my time as a modeller concerning myself with wedling verts.. In game development (many moons ago), we had to do just that (weld all verts) for the simple reason that engines back then used vertex lighting. But nowawdays, this isn't necessary. Especially seeing how this project is not geared towardes videogame modelling, it is rather pointless (unless as mentioned above, you need beveled edges).

Cheers,

NRG

[Denzivex]

Here is the thread for my progress on the Big Ben project...

http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=363728

[PEN]

I'm not joining in but I couldn't help but poke me head in here as I have modeled the tower of London and the parlement buildings years ago for the sequal to Peter Pan called Return to Never Land. Lots of fun.

http://paulneale.com/production/Pan/Pan_All_01374.jpg

[JustChris]

I'll give it a shot, but I'd be one week late. As it is, I can probably only do the clock face. Hopefully this challenge would help me be a more efficient modeler :)

[jojo1975]

As a newbie I really liked a lot to try to model the clock face detail.
I learned a lot about simmetry, replicating objects and it was really funny :)
I envy all guys that are pro in 3d (I only have time at night after work for modelling :(

Dont' know If I will succeed in finishing before deadline heere the link to my thread
http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=365279

[kirouac]

Hello guys and girls, i tried to participate with the best of my knowledges at this contest with short deadline and lot of difficulties. I begin it maybe too late, but that was fun :bounce:.

I have started the project with XSI to try to learn it, but the difficulty was to high and i was searching too much to do something that could took me 2 min in 3dsmax so i switched of program will the process.

I didn't count the time but its about 10 hours for this little part :D. I'll try to finish it on my own, i think its a good personnal challenge and it can have a place in my future demoreel.

ok here is the link to my thread http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=365859

I'll post some wireframe shot later. And i don't think that a side view could be interesting ;)

600x800 pictures (clic on the picture for a larger version 1200x1600)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b216/robertoortiz1/cgtalk/lost.jpg

I'll try to be in time for the next challenge.
Cheer to all people who had participated to this challenge, u have all done nice work! :applause::applause:

Sorry for my english :D

Later !!!

[RobertoOrtiz]

To all reading this, you have UNTIL FRIDAY to finish your entry.


have fun!

-R

[kirouac]

Ok here my final result for saturday vote, i had time to finish what under the clock, but i didn't had time to work on the roof, i'll still have time to work on it, but after the vote ;).

-The link of my post (http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=365859)


Stats
3D Studio max 8
vray render
basic color for the texture
faces 417 431
vertices 511 427

Ortographic views 800x600 (didn't have time for best quality render sorry)

-front view (http://kirouacdesign.blogs-de-voyage.fr/images/big_ben/final_ortho_front.jpg)

-top view (http://kirouacdesign.blogs-de-voyage.fr/images/big_ben/final_ortho_top.jpg)

-wireframe (http://kirouacdesign.blogs-de-voyage.fr/images/big_ben/wireframe.jpg)(too much edges in this)



between 15 and 20 hours (hard to say cause i give a lot of small periode of time)
still lot of time if i wanna finish the work :D I'll try but like a participant of the david challenge said, it's harder to continu after the deadline...

I hope u like it, good luck to all modeler :thumbsup:

(Clic on the picture for larger version)

Final render (1200x1600)

http://kirouacdesign.blogs-de-voyage.fr/images/big_ben/final_1200x1600_thumb_.jpg (http://kirouacdesign.blogs-de-voyage.fr/images/big_ben/final_1200x1600.jpg)

Close up (800x600)

http://kirouacdesign.blogs-de-voyage.fr/images/big_ben/close_up_01_thumb_.jpg (http://kirouacdesign.blogs-de-voyage.fr/images/big_ben/close_up_01.jpg) http://kirouacdesign.blogs-de-voyage.fr/images/big_ben/close_up_02_thumb_.jpg (http://kirouacdesign.blogs-de-voyage.fr/images/big_ben/close_up_02.jpg)

[snovak]

impressive

[RobertoOrtiz]

Ill post the results tonight.


SO if you want to vote you have about 8 HOURS.

-R

[RobertoOrtiz]

I would like to thank all who participated in the second Hardcore modeling challenge.
It has been a great experience, and we will have the next micro challenge up soon.

Ok drumroll please, here are the winners!
Keep an eye on this >>>>LINK<< (http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=371489)<<for future challenges!
________________
Ok drumroll, here are the winners!



Best Detail Model_________________

Artist: Erik van Helvoirt (Phade01 )

WIP Thread: (http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=365859)Hardcore Modeling Challenge: Big Ben - Clock Detail (http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=363924) (http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=365859)
Comments:Final Entry

I'm really pleased with the end result, i don't think i ever made anything this detailed.

Render time: about 7 hours
Rendered and modeled in Cinema4D
Time spend on it: estimaded 60 -70 hours

Final Entry:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b216/robertoortiz1/cgtalk/2a1.jpg

1600 x 1200 Version (http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/7469/6finalpost6wn.jpg)


Orthographic views:

- Top
http://img453.imageshack.us/img453/3384/3top8ee.jpg
(http://img453.imageshack.us/img453/3384/3top8ee.jpg)
- Side (Left)
http://img50.imageshack.us/img50/3313/1left9as.jpg

- Front
http://img453.imageshack.us/img453/9568/2front3db.jpg




And the Winner..
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b216/robertoortiz1/cgtalk/17.gif

Best Modeling-Name,Most Realistic Model,Best Shading, Best Rendering & Best Overall Entry




Artist: Petr Dvořák (sirpetr)

WIP Thread: (http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=365859)Hardcore Modeling Challenge: Big Ben - Clock Detail (http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=365082) (http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=365859)
Comments:Final Entry


http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b216/robertoortiz1/cgtalk/bigben.jpg
IMAGE1 (http://img162.imageshack.us/img162/5090/final25ng.jpg)
IMAGE2 (IMAGE@2)
IMAGE3 (http://img240.imageshack.us/my.php?image=konecnyrender19so.jpg)
IMAGE4 (http://img214.imageshack.us/my.php?image=konecnyrender32wp.jpg)
IMAGE5 (http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/3805/final19sa.jpg)
FINAL ENTRY

Hi all. Its high time to say my last words to 2nd Modeling challenge.

Today it was really exhausting. The last day in the morning I found in the thread that we are finishing today. For some reason I thought that the dateline is 16th. It was my big fault and I wasnt really happy. But now I can say I have completed most of that I wanted.

The tower, as you can see, isnt fully completed. There is no bottom part, the easist I can say.

STATISTICS

RENDERER - MAXWELL 1.2.2a
MESHES - 2.999
TRIS - 1.156.830
VERTICES - 624.305


TIME SPEND (not exactly but estimated)

5 hours - looking for references, preparation, correction of photos - levels, sharpening, estimating measures from photos
110 hours - modeling
6 hours - texturing, painting textures
6 hours - final touches, rendering








I wasnt able to deliver to this midnight more renders. Tommorow (exactly today) I wont be at home, I will spend all the day at the cottage because of some important issues, but later will post wires and more renders. Good night.



Best Modeling

Petr Dvořák (Sirpetr)
Erik van Helvoirt (Phade01 )
-
Best Detail Model

Erik van Helvoirt (Phade01 )
Petr Dvořák (sirpetr)
willohmsford (Phil Nolan )
Dominik Kirouac
Most Realistic Model


Petr Dvořák (Sirpetr)
Erik van Helvoirt (Phade01 )
-
Best Shading

Petr Dvořák (Sirpetr)
Erik van Helvoirt (Phade01)
-
Best Overall Entry

Petr Dvořák (sirpetr)

Best Rendering

Best Rendering-Petr Dvořák (Sirpetr)
Erik van Helvoirt (Phade01 )

[philnolan3d]

Congrats to everyone. I'm not sure who won what, that post is confusing. I must say though there was one thing that bugged me about this challenge. It's called hardcore -modeling-, but yet lots of people textured their models, which hides detail and possibly makes up for details they didn't model, not that I'm saying anyone did that. There was even a catagory for textures. I just think might not be the best name, perhaps Hardcore CG Challenge.

[kikkokman]

Wow It great model great work

Beautiful

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