Aerilius

Roman estate revived

2010-06-23T21:57:00.000+02:00

Where we see vineyards today, there was over 1700 years ago a Roman estate. In the second Century AD, when the Roman Empire covered most of Europe, wealthy Romans settled down here. The estate with its impressive 150 m long facade is particularly known for its wine press. An interactive reconstruction lets us now revive that epoque.

For seeing the model, you'll need Google Earth. Just double click on the tour in the left side bar.

final renders of Limburg Monastery

2010-01-13T18:56:00.000+01:00

Here are the final images of the monastery - as a ruin in current state and the reconstruction (move your mouse over the images). The reconstructions show the building as it looked like 986 years ago.

Schwetzingen Castle

2010-01-06T20:03:00.005+01:00

Schwetzingen Castle was the summer residence for the palatine Elector Karl Theodor. It was built in 1697 on ruins of two previous castles.

It is famous for its extensive gardens. Two arcuate buildings enclose the French garden (300m diameter) with the Arion fountain. Besides the Orangery (conservatory for exotic plants) in the northwest, there is an English garden with a large, naturally looking pond.

In addition, the site contains a baroque mosque (without liturgical function), a replica of a Roman fort and a water aqueduct, a bath house and a variety of Greek temples. Two statues show hounds attacking the "dying deer", a reference to the former function as a hunting lodge. In 2007, Schwetzingen Castle and Gardens have been applied for the UNESCO World Heritage List.
model in 3d-warehouse

click here for 3d view

Dynamic Tower

2009-12-06T23:11:00.003+01:00

View now in Google Earth

This is not only a future skyscraper to be built in Dubai, but also an interactive Google Earth model. If you like to see one of the first moving buildings in Google Earth, open the kmz-file in Google Earth and click in the left sidebar on the "play" button.

new panoramas

2009-11-21T13:55:00.003+01:00

Limburg monastery: panoramas

2009-11-16T21:38:00.015+01:00

This is a view of the crossing, which is the central place and shows the main nave (46.5m long) with romanesque columns and a balcony at the end, also the side aisles and the choir. On both sides of the choir, there are stairs down to the crypt.

The crypt is under the east choir of the monastery. The vaults were broken, but since 1977, the 'Aktion Limburg e.V.' has step by step rebuilt it. Finally, the altars were reconstructed in 1995. Now it is used for weddings and special events.

(You can zoom with shift-key/ctrl-key)

some renders of Limburg monastery

2009-11-05T00:34:00.000+01:00

The main nave:

The crypt:

the making of: Limburg monastery (2)

2009-10-22T14:37:00.004+02:00

When you make a 3d model in Sketchup and export it to Google Earth, you normally get a *.kmz file that seems to contain not much more than the model. In fact, kmz is a zip-archive, so you can open it with a program like 7zip or any other (after changing extension to *.zip).

The archive contains a kml file, which tells Google Earth the coordinates and altitude where to place the model. Maybe you have already seen kml, if you have ever saved a placemark or a tour in Google Earth.
In the model folder is the 3d model as a Collada file. Collada is an open standard and contains text that humans can read. In this source code, there are links to the texture images.
So now we can try to modify these files. In my case, I wanted to have different models (for each part of the building) that can be turned on or off. So I exported the parts as separated collada files. But I noticed that Sketchup replaces the texture names. I opened the collada files and searched the source code for the texture names and replaced them by the original ones. This way, all building parts can use the same textures without confusion.
Then I put the model files together in one kmz file. Now the models needed to be referenced in the kml file so that Google Earth would know that they exist. For one 3d model, the kml contains a text like this:
  <Folder>
    <name>Limburgmodell_GE</name>
    <description>Created with
      <a href="http://sketchup.google.com"> Google SketchUp</a>
    </description>
    ...
    <Placemark>
      ...
      <Model>
        ...
        <Link>
          <href>models/untitled.dae</href>
        </Link>
      </Model>
    </Placemark>
  </Folder>

So I copied this text and inserted the filenames of all collada files. This will show for each model a 'folder' with checkbox in the sidebar of Google Earth.

This is how it works, but there is also an easier way: in the sidebar in Google Earth, you can right click on a model and edit it's details (also with html formated text) or create folders or make 'radioFolder's, that is the round checkboxes where only one item can be checked at a time. Then you can save it as kml-file.
For more features like tours, you can take a look on the kml reference and the great online 'test area'

the making of: Limburg monastery (1)

2009-10-22T01:04:00.005+02:00

Maybe you wondered how it is possible to get texture images from a not-existing building?
As I have mentioned, the model is based on a high-poly model for which I used plans and details from literature.

In Sketchup, 3d-models look not as real as in computer games. And even if you have a good graphic card and a computergame, the light effects are in some way a fake. For physically correct light simulation, there are render engines that allow to choose physical properties like reflection, shininess, transparency and bumpiness (I used Kerkythea).

My building has 20m high walls. So most of my textures would have looked too monotone and repeating. Another feature of Kerkythea are layered materials, where you can mix materials to achieve more texture variation. This way, materials can look for example old and dirty.

Finally, I made renders of each side of my model in parallel perspective (right click on face -> align view). After I had made an extremly simplified version of the model (1% of original complexity), I projected the photo-realistic textures on it.

Limburg monastery: interactive 3d model

2009-10-20T00:33:00.002+02:00

The model has reached over 450000 polygons, that means it is extremely complex and detailed. In order to make it available for normal users, I created a simple preview of it with many extra features. It has only 1% of the complexity of the full version but it looks almost real. You only need Google Earth installed.

View now in Google Earth

It is one of the first 'interactive models' in Google Earth, that means instead of only the shape of a building, it includes additional information. You can explore the history of the building and learn about different attempts of reconstruction. Try it out!

new ascii-models

2009-09-08T11:16:00.007+02:00

I just added some new models in the default list.

It is really easy to import any model. You only have to make sure that it has 600 or less triangles.

Playing with javascript: ASCII 3d model viewer

2009-09-04T18:46:00.008+02:00

I found very interesting websites that use javascript in a unusual way. Normally, javascript is known as a primitive script language with slow performance. But it can at least do the same as real programming languages.

See these links:
http://www.benryves.com/bin/poly.htm
http://maettig.com/code/javascript/asciifire.html
http://www.slimeland.com/raytrace

The first one inspired me to use it for every possible 3d model and not only the given one. The simplest possible 3d file format is wavefront .obj, so I added an importer, made a user interface and viewed some of my models.

Try it out: ASCII 3D Art Note: This takes much of your computers performance, so use only simple triangulated models with less than 200 faces. (Don't use Internet Explorer, which is not able to support web standards)

new Firefox extension: Browse your favourite modeler's new submissions

2009-08-22T23:39:00.008+02:00

As I spend regularly much time browsing the 3d-warehouse for new submissions, I thought about making a convenient solution for this. I tried some javascript programing, came across Greasemonkey and found a way to compile a Firefox extension (which is less complicated to install than Greasemonkey).

This is a Firefox extension that automatically executes search queries, filters the results and presents all models that you have not seen before.

You can download it here. In the zip-archive, you find two files. The .xpi is the extension itself and can be installed by dragging it into the firefox application window. The .html website can be placed in whatever directory want. If you like, add it on your favourites bar.

I hope it will be also useful to you, and I wish you
happy sketching and browsing!

complete 3d-model of the Moscow Kremlin

2009-07-19T15:18:00.022+02:00

I spent the last weeks modeling the governmental center of Russia for Google Earth.
The Kremlin contains the administrative buildings of the Russian government and over 8 cathedrals, 6 palaces and 20 individual towers. It is a fortified complex that dates back to former wooden buildings from the 11th century. Most parts of the modern complex were built in the 15th century by Italian architects (like the red walls and towers). Due to many severe fires, most historic structures have been destroyed and replaced. The Grand Kremlin Palace was built in 1839–49, followed by the new building of the Kremlin Armoury in 1851. The latest wave of alteration took place after the Russian Revolution and during the soviet period, when the State Kremlin Palace and the administrative buildings replaced former sacral buildings.

view now in Google Earth

1000 years Willigis' cathedral in Mainz

2009-06-17T21:19:42.588+02:00

Just in time for its 1000th anniversary, Mainz Cathedral is visible as 3d-model in Google Earth. This Cathedral is the Episcopal Church of the diocese of Mainz and dates back to a construction by Bishop Willigis from around 975. Unfortunately, it was destroyed in a fire at its consecration on 29.8.1009. Until 1036, the cathedral was rebuilt by bishop Bardo as romanesque pier basilica. Throughout history, there have been numerous alterations in many architectural styles. The building is 116 m long and 83.5 m high.

view now in Google Earth

bridge models

2009-06-16T23:51:00.122+02:00

Some of my recent work:

Römerplatz in Bad Dürkheim

2009-05-03T13:16:00.874+02:00

The Römerplatz is a city square in Bad Dürkheim. This was for centuries the main traffic junction and the city hall was located here. Since 1989, traffic has to find other ways because it's a pedestrian zone now. I needed around 100 photos for modeling and had to split the model into 5 parts: Römerplatz in 3d-warehouse

workaround for display issue 'burning-through'

2009-04-28T20:22:00.064+02:00

Sometimes in Google Earth (as well as in Sketchup), semitransparent parts of png-textures look very strange. Instead of the faces behind the png, you see the Google Earth terrain in the background. The png texture 'burns through' all faces.

This can not be fixed by using pngs with only fully or zero transparent pixels, because in GE, pngs are sampled with something like a bilinear filter which always calculates a semitransparent transition between fully transparent and opaque pixels.

When I modelled the European Parliament, I got such an ugly result that I could never ever upload to the 3d-warehouse. More than half of it was burned through and I could see the Google Earth terrain well:

I found out (by chance!) that I need to put all faces behind the pngs in one group (so that all pngs are outside of this group). PNGs seem only to burn through faces that are on the same level in model hierarchy, they do not burn through groups or components.

bug with texture coordinates in scaled groups

2009-04-23T20:21:00.073+02:00

In one of my models, I had to correct the positions of textures inside a group. When I closed the group again, most textures moved for some pixels (also textures that I did not edit). Unfortunately, the undo function does not undo this texture shift. So I had to do all texturing several times again.

After closing a group, all geometry and textures are saved again regardless of whether all geometry or only one element has changed. Due to a bug, Sketchup does not correctly calculate the texture coordinates in scaled/rotated groups or components correctly.

So I recommend doing texturing after scale and rotation has been perfected, and doing grouping at the very end when texturing has been finished.

'roofing ceremony'!

2009-04-18T14:16:00.179+02:00

My new project has reached the roof level: I'm rebuilding a medieval monastery church in romanesque style. My current Google Earth model gives only a rough impression of how it looked like. At the moment, the Sketchup file has 925kB with 130400 polygons due to component usage.

Roman Estate revived

2009-04-18T13:21:00.106+02:00

The Romans aquired our region in the first century AD. The area became quite popular for country estates where people grew newly introduced agricultural goods like wine. One of these estates has been rediscovered during land consolidation in 1981 and partly rebuilt. In order to see it more realistic and in full dimensions, I rebuilt it as a 3d-model and completed the rendered image with a photomontage (which was quite difficult as today the site looks totally different). The villa was built in the 2nd century with a 104m long facade, a representative portico (the row of columns), a amply roman bath and a very remarkable wine press. The reconstruction shows the full length after its extension to 150m in the 4th century. Towards the end of the roman empire, the Alamanni and other tribes came marauding and destroyed it. Despite the uncertain times, a larger villa was built within a stone's throw but hidden by a hill.

Texturing complicated organic shapes

2009-04-10T21:29:00.006+02:00

I modelled a quite difficult rock formation, which needed to be textured: http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=d7801c562346005eb05fa4413d74cff0 I tried external applications that unfold the model and apply UV coordinates for the texture image. Unwrap3d (commercial, no export in free version) and Blender would have taken me to much time to learn and the first results were a chaos of vertices because the shape is to complex. So I used projected textures in Sketchup:

1. Use View > Parallel Projection. Place rectangles in the air that are roughly parallel to each side of the model. Select each and click right > Align View and save the View as a new Scene.

2. Make Screenshots (Alt+Print) of each Scene, cut them and import them as new textures.

3. Optional: assigning colors to the boundary edges for each texture can be helpful.

4. Place the textures on the rectangles and adjust them untill they overlay perfectly the geometry behind (hidden geometry on is helpful). Then project the textures on the model.

5. Now you can use your graphics editor to lay photos over the outlines of the textures. You only have to consider that the textures are fitting along the red lines. You may have to distort/paint on them until the model is seamless textured. Reload the texture images in Sketchup several times untill you are satisfied.

Taking screenshots with parallel perspective is also practical when you have to merge several photos like for this large facade:

European Parliament

2009-03-31T16:01:00.003+02:00

The European Parliament is one of the largest buildings of the continent (300m*100m). The building looks from above like the hat of Napoleon who had unified most parts of Europe (by use of war) and introduced the Code Civil in many conquered countries as a modern rule of law. The model contains quite small textures. The high detail on the glas front is done with a combination of pngs (window frames) and a large scaled jpg background (reflection).

Trifels Castle

2009-03-23T17:22:00.121+01:00

Richard the Lionheart was here for some kind of 'vacation'.
model in the 3d-warehouse

suggest a model

2000-01-01T00:00:00.209+01:00

I create georeferenced and efficient 3D models of existing, planned or no longer existing buildings for interactive display and use in the globally successful Google Earth™-Map service. After being reviewed by Google, the models will be visible in Google Earth for over 350 million users.

Take the advantage of a virtual representation of your company or business on the web.

Buildings will be characterized by

photo-textures in order to give them much realism
low filesize for fast downloads
efficiently modeling so that they require only few performance for displaying on the user’s screen (especially important when cities with hundreds of models are simultaneously visible).
being located on the correct position in Google Earth. Possibly, the inaccurate Google Earth terrain must be replenished by adding an artificial terrain.

For any suggestions or questions about this service, you can contact me.