New Model - Parliament Building in Budapest

[chordinator]

Hello all,

This is my first post to HighEnd. After a bit of a break from 3D modeling, I've gotten back into things with my current modeling idea - the Parliament Building in Budapest, Hungary. It is a gorgeous building with so much detail, I just couldn't resist. Here is a photograph of it:

I started on the dome, and here's the progress so far:

I will really be focusing on detail with this model. I've been acquiring dozens of photographs from every angle, so hopefully this will turn out great. Let me know what you think

More to come!

[rival2000]

Wow, if you keep consistant detail and take your time it's going to be a wonderful piece, and I imagine too many polygons for my computer to render.

[jtk77]

I was curuious what program and renderer you are using for this project. I'd image your biggest hurdle, depending on the software you are using, will be polycounts and memory for your render when you're done. I'm curious how it goes when it comes time for the final result, and if you run into any issues.

[chordinator]

In reply to:I was curious what program and renderer you are using for this project. I'd image your biggest hurdle, depending on the software you are using, will be polycounts and memory for your render when you're done. I'm curious how it goes when it comes time for the final result, and if you run into any issues.

I am using Maya 6.0 and the Maya renderer for this project. I have a 3 GHz P4 with 2GB of memory. I haven't run into any problems as of yet. The poly count is getting high (as I knew it would), and it's only an issue when I have the full model displayed. I'm modeling in sections, which doesn't affect my work. When the time comes, I'll have to render this out in layers and composite it all together. Hopefully, there won't be any problems with that.

As for today, I've finally started working my way down the dome. The design patterns on the side are really great to work with. Just adding really faint detail brings out so much great shading and shadows. I love it!

More to come.

[jtk77]

excellent ! Let me know how it goes, yea rendering in sections to comp might be the best way to get an amazing high res image. Look forward to seeing more. Great work!

[bishop00s]

What type of geometry are you using for this? I know you said the polycount is getting high... so I guess you are using straight polygons or Sub-D's... but I could see some great uses for Nurbs in here.

Just wondering. Thanks. It looks fantastic so far.

[chordinator]

I am using both NURBS and polys for this model. Probably 98% of the work will be done using polys, but for simple curved surfaces (like the shape of the dome), I'll use NURBS.

I have been steadily working on this when I can throughout this past week. I will probably post a new update tomorrow or Sunday.

[chordinator]

3D modeling is such a strain on the eyeballs! But it's worth it. Here's a new view of the progress:

This marks the end of the central dome structure. I can now start modeling outerward - finally! Most of that bottom area will be covered by the rest of the building, so no need to model anymore of that. It'll be nice to not have to work in the round anymore. Much less math to work with.

The poly count is steadily increasing as well - 277,820 to be exact. At least for now, the model isn't difficult to work with, and the render times aren't unbearable. Efficiency level is still good.

More to come.

[jtk77]

Haha WOW this is going to be a really amazing model ! Good job !

[naquer]

Hi!
it's very cool to see my country's parliament in a professional animator's working. Why did you choose the Hungarian parliament? Are you hungarian? Good luck for the project.

                                                                                  Martin

[chordinator]

No, I am not Hungarian. I live in the United States. But I am a huge fan of the Gothic style of architecture. I like modeling structures, and I went through a number of buildings, bridges, etc. before finding the Parliament Building. I just loved the look of it. Plus, it's a huge modeling challenge - and I just love a good challenge.

Thanks for all the comments.

[chordinator]

I have worked little by little this past week trying to make some decent progress, but things keep deterring me from my computer. But I have a render that I did a few days ago that I forgot to show.

I have more done now than what's being shown, but I wanna get even more done before the next update. That'll probably happen within the next day.

Thanks for the feedback. More to come!

[joojaa]

ok so now this picture borke the illusion. The detail level while high wanst realy high enough to pull this one off

[magnus-andersson]

Wow! Amazing work! Love the detail. Are you going to texture it?

[jtk77]

I think if you're smart in texturing you'll be able to get some closeups even with being smart on modeling detail, theres LOT to be said with faking detail in the texturing, it can go both ways of course. You can ruin a great model just as fast.
I'd say however that if you still to large shots with this you'll have an amazing piece. But don't get lazy or tired , keep the detial up and work at your own pace.