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[spidertour02]

Hey All,

I don't know if you've checked this out yet, but there is a free program called Google SketchUp that is starting to make its way into the repertoire of some big-name artists (Joe Quesada, Stuart Immonen). There are a ton of free libraries available from Google as well that you can use to begin to set up rooms, streets, and other locations for use in your background work.

http://www.google.com/sketchup/index.html

I gave this a "dry run" with a test page. I set up an apartment, took some screenshots of "camera shots" I wanted to use, and lightboxed these guides onto my art board. I then added in details, texture, and shadowing as I saw fit. Here is a shot of the apartment model and the page I used it for:





It's a nice tool to work with for creating backgrounds, especially interior scenes. I suggest you all give it a look -- the price is certainly right!

(By the way, here's a link to Stuart Immonen discussing some of his referencing techniques, including SketchUp: http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/04/03/stuart-immonen-on-computers-and-art/.)

[S.F. Jude Terror]

That is an amazing tool.

[Doc Jon]

Very cool.

Thanks, spider.

[ErickCruz]

SketchUp is a godsend. Been using it for just over 2 years now.

Leinil F Yu also uses it.

[spidertour02]

SketchUp is a godsend. Been using it for just over 2 years now.

Leinil F Yu also uses it.

Ha! "Leinil F Yu." ;D

By the way, here are the free bonus packs that you can download -- pretty much all of them are useful, and very well made: http://www.google.com/sketchup/downloads/bonuspacks.html

SketchUp is also very community-based, so there is a spot called the 3D Warehouse where people upload models that you can use for free. There are also third-party sites where you can download high-quality models, usually for a small fee (although they'll throw you a bone on some of their less complicated models).

3D Warehouse: http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse
Form Fonts: http://www.formfonts.com/
SketchUp Models Inc.: http://sketchupmodels.com/

[spidertour02]

Are you ready to be blown away?

Apparently, there is currently an initiative that teams up Google SketchUp and Google Earth. The goal is to try to 3D model various world cities in SketchUp and place them accurately on the model Earth. I just decided to check out how the modeling of New York has gone, and this screenshot should give you an idea:

THIS IS ONLY MANHATTAN BELOW SOHO. Holy crap! Let's scroll uptown and zoom out a little ...



My brain just expoded. ;D

[spidertour02]

TIMES SQUARE



There must be some Spider-Man fans working on these models, because there are four Spider-Man 3 posters in this shot.

[Doc Jon]

Woah...

[ErickCruz]

Yeah Google Earth combined with SU is a dream come true. No longer do you have to search for reference pics for certain city scape shots, now you can make your own.

However i cant take advantage of that, for some reason when i updated my graphics card GE stopped working for me, when i turn it on either in GUI mode or DirectX mode all i see is a black hole. I tried reversing the update and GE worked fine then, but then other software i have installed stopped working properly so i kept the updated setup, i can work around not having GE.

[spidertour02]

Yeah Google Earth combined with SU is a dream come true. No longer do you have to search for reference pics for certain city scape shots, now you can make your own.

However i cant take advantage of that, for some reason when i updated my graphics card GE stopped working for me, when i turn it on either in GUI mode or DirectX mode all i see is a black hole. I tried reversing the update and GE worked fine then, but then other software i have installed stopped working properly so i kept the updated setup, i can work around not having GE.

Damn, that stinks. I use Windows Vista, and it works for me, which is actually a little surprising given how finnicky some programs are with Vsta compatibility.

Have you tried installing Google Earth again? It might detect your settings during the install and react accordingly.

[Doc Jon]

Please keep us updated on this, spider.

I haven't had the time to try it out yet, but it looks awesome and I definitely will.

[ErickCruz]

I mistyped, I meant to say i updated the drivers on my graphics card, not "upgraded" it. And no spidertour i tried reinstalling it but nada.

[ErickCruz]

well, i tried it again, updated google earth, restarted it in directx mode, and the pictures that comprise the world were like filled with static, so i zoom in an lo and behold, as i zoomed in i saw blue, blue being the ocean, so i zoomed out and saw more ocean, so i panned to the side and more blue, until LAND HO!



as you can see on the upper left and lower right you can see some of the static stuff where certain controls should be (i think) but as long as i get some quality images like this one i should be able to get the reference images i need.

[Doc Jon]

Nice!

[spidertour02]

Please keep us updated on this, spider.

I haven't had the time to try it out yet, but it looks awesome and I definitely will.

The possibilities for great city reference are enormous! You can download the free version HERE: http://earth.google.com/