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Old 13th August 2009, 12:35 PM   #1
thierry_st_malo
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Default Using 3D models as a reference tool

It really seems that my idea of using simplified 3D models to compare ships is not that bad. Look at this picture of two French ships being modelled in AC3D : on the left the protected cruiser "Lavoisier" completed in 1898, on the right the frigate "Surcouf" completed in 1996. The two ships have a completely different physical "presence" that you can't feel in reference books. Moreover, the "Lavoisier" is (will, as I still have to add eight 3 pdrs among other things) bristling with guns even if it has not even a single rangefinder, whereas "Surcouf"'s main armament (her Exocet launchers, her helicopter and her sensors) is hardly visible.

What do you think?

Thierry
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Old 13th August 2009, 03:59 PM   #2
lisa
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Default Re: Using 3D models as a reference tool

I think that's a great idea. There's a lot you can get out of 3D, especially side-by-sides, that you just don't get even from looking at photos. I know there are many researchers interested in recreating historical objects and landmarks as a teaching aid, like the Rome Reborn project. There's a certain perspective you get from being able to turn it around, examine it, and especially view it close up / 1:1 that is difficult to experience in other ways.

I think you also learn a lot about the object from the process of building. The amount of research it takes to model something accurately is signficant, and I feel that you discover so many details you would have never noticed if you were merely examining it without trying to recreate it.

I think your ship project is absolutely fascinating!
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Old 13th August 2009, 04:21 PM   #3
Mossie
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Default Re: Using 3D models as a reference tool

What your doing for ships, I'm doing for Fokker aircraft of WWI. My recent trip to Germany has given me a huge simulation project, of whihc the Fokker V1 shown http://www.inivis.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5302 is an example.

I now have more documents from the period to model the buildings across the Schwerin-Gorries airfield that Fokker used from 1913-1918.
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Old 14th August 2009, 06:34 AM   #4
thierry_st_malo
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Thanks to both of you.

I will say that the research needed to produce an "acceptable" 3D object (because you cannot be really satisfied ; when it is over, you keep thinking "I should have done this or that in another way") is one of the most fascinating aspects of the job.

Thierry
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Old 14th August 2009, 08:17 AM   #5
Mossie
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Default Re: Using 3D models as a reference tool

I agree, doing the Fokker V1 from just some photos is quite a challange. But the end result will be the best understanding we can get, as no aircraft exists today.
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