Help modelling a Japanese roof

[JamesL]

[Edit]

A call for help to all the experienced environment modellers out there.

I am trying to model up some Chinese/Japanese type roofing and finding it considerably more challenging than I had originally imagined it to be. The kinds of shapes I am trying to create are basically a bunch of interconnecting/cascading curves that join up forming 'scoops' that finish up in upwards pointing corners. Ok so that's not a great description, but I am pretty sure you all know what I am talking about.

I can model basic inorganic stuff pretty reasonably but this is really bugging me. I am not sure quite how to approach it. I've tried a few different approaches but they all end up with me subdividing up surfaces like crazy and pushing around tons of individual verts. It gets very messy and the results are not really suitable for a game asset nor do they look particularly good.

Anyways, I would appreciate some opinions on the best technique to approach modelling such a shape/object. I am pretty sure there has to be a better approach than the ones I have been trying. I use Maya to model in case that helps.

Some piccies for reference below.

[Sa74n]

depending on the polycount i'd probably use stripmodeling. this way you can easily shape the silhouette and make sure it looks right before you start filling the spaces in between.

[OrnateBaboon]

Makes me think of this

http://xbox.advancedmn.com/images/media/2646_33.jpg

Are you trying to model the whole roof, or just the attachments? A CZ map, called de_truth went about doing these types of roof, but it was just the corner bits that were modelled..

[hessi]

made a speed tutorial on that topic. didnt take that much time to wirte text. i think/hope the images speak for themselves.

http://www.thomashess.net/exchange/tuto ... e_roof.pdf

http://www.thomashess.net/exchange/tuto ... se_roof.mb <- resource maya 7 file if you want to take a look at the result in 3d.

i used a lot of freezing and rotating. the rest is only move, scale, extrude and dublicate.

[Pericolos0]

pdf for the lose!!!

[hessi]

pls die, k? thx!

[mjens]

damn that was quick

[Warby]

meh i would REALLY like to see what hessi build there but i cant because pdf for teh lose .... k thx bye

[KoKo5oVaR]

Think about the mac users, those who can't download a website if they want to consult it offline !!

wait ..

[mjens]

I guess hessi would allow to make an image versions of this tutorial. Wait few minutes

edit:

http://zdolnyslask.org/seir/tutorial_ma ... roof-1.jpg

http://zdolnyslask.org/seir/tutorial_ma ... roof-2.jpg

http://zdolnyslask.org/seir/tutorial_ma ... roof-3.jpg

[Grinwhrl]

mac's suck, thanks hessi!

[hessi]

Think about the mac users, those who can't download a website if they want to consult it offline !!

wait ..

mac users can still save a webpage, but 1. its fucking crap because hmtl is pain in the ass

2. mac users can print to pdf by default without buying any additional shit like windows users

3. mac's are awesome if you are more interested in working/reading/having fun (i remember windows crashing if a video codec is missing)

4. why are we getting so offtopic now?

[JamesL]

Thanks for all the help guys. Hessi you are a god damn tutorial making machine

Don't understand what all the fuss is about pdf's they are great if you don't want people editing and ripping off your work. Once I get some progress on this I'll post up some screenies.

[ifO]

Why would anyone not have a pdf viewer installed? For anyone doing anything remotely academic using the web pdfs are a must.

Nice tutorial hessi. I need something simplish to learn my recent copy of Maya with, this will do nicely

[bitmap]

Well.. whats the fuss all about?

Just Save Link as in firefox and read it offline.

hessi, you look like a big helper:D