From Photo to 3D Model

Early on in production a decision as to be made of how much of the city will be reconstructed as a 3D model. Certain things factor in, such as style and look of animation, feasibility of constructing it, how much will be seen on screen. Not far removed from an architectural visualization of a new building project, this short film looks back on buildings that have been demolished, and reconstructs them in place as they were years ago along side existing buildings.

Starting with reference photos, detailed 3D models of everything to be used in the animation are built. This is an unshaded 3D model representation of a well known Olean building, the Palace Theater, and one of the reference photos used to create the model.

Beginnings...

The inception of this project began years ago as a deeper look at the deteriorating and depreciating state of the unique and beautiful turn of the century architecture of Olean NY and the surrounding areas. Research in the buildings lead to an openning up of stories connected to the places, then became personalized with learning about the people who lived their lives, day in and out, in Olean. The standing architecture is a story book of everything that has passed, all of the people who have cleared the path for us to have our lives here today. This is an appreciation of people, places, and things of days past.

This first post starts with a cross section of interesting bits and pieces that anyone may recognize from around town. I find great beauty in the detailed workmanship of each of these buildings. These photos, among many others, were taken as reference for the 3D models built to be used in the animated reconstruction of Olean. Stay tuned for the next blog entry showing 3D model work and how the models become an animated movie.