[Peter]

This is a new city I have started. I am trying a different approach to make it. Everything will made within SketchUp apart from 3D Warehouse components for scenes. The scale is realistic and all floors actually exist in the buildings. There will be no whole building images for textures. I will start from this central location and build outwards, rather than making the entire region and filling it in. It should be funner this way. I Hope you enjoy this new city.

Population: 327,865
Location: USA
Tallest building: 221 feet (67 meters) (18 floors)

Sabal Island is a modern city located on an island off the shores of the southeastern United States. It was founded in 1967, but was an unincorporated community on the maps long before then.

http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/9204/001hs1.jpg

Its roots go back to being a village for the natives before the Europeans came to America. They were a peaceful tribe who embraced the Europeans' arrival. Cultures mixed and over the years, Sabal Island, as it came to be called, became a diverse city with a peaceful history until the 1980s hit.

http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/9917/002hx4.jpg

More soon!

[foxmtbr]

Wow, awesome! I can't wait to see more!

[treras93]

like it so far :) :tup:

[CGII]

Good luck. A project like that would test my patience and loading capacity. :D

[BoiseAirport]

Can anyone say "Kerkythea?"

Great start! I'm loving it! In fact, you're starting to inspire me to do something similar (that is, build a full city using no full "textures")

Anthony

[Mocholate]

Good stuff :tup:
It also tests your shadow setting skills :D

[Austin55]

oh wow! i made ine like that once,and they are WAY more fun. In fact,I think im going to go try again,I already had plans anyway;)
and I need to stepup my su abilieyies
further I think its time we made a SSP CS. movement.
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x111/austin5555/a.png

[Patrick]

Nice but damn, thats gonna take up alotta space?

[Mocholate]

thats where the follow me tool comes in handy

#draw the verticals -
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c297/choppdat/cheat1.jpg

# follow the shape -
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c297/choppdat/cheat3.jpg

# adjust scale , and voila !
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c297/choppdat/cheat5.jpg

an instant building (with core) before your coffee goes cold :D

[Aleks]

hmm. i thought about doing this on my buildings but since i have made too many my computer won't be able to handle it. even with the newest version of Sketchup.
i only did floor-by-floor on buildings that are either really tall, most visible, or i really liked them.

[treras93]

:previous: thats awesome how did you do Mo

[Austin55]

mo? how did you do that?

[treras93]

nvermind i got it awesome!!!!!!!:tup:

[Mocholate]

just like the pic's , grab the vertical face with the 'follow me' tool and drag it around the shape thats on the ground :tup:
i'll delete them pics later so they don't take up space in the thread

[Austin55]

oh,I get it now!thats cool!

[rbowk]

sick i love it

[Aleks]

the buildings i put floor by floor look ok but i should put more details. i dont want to to this because when i put all my buildings together which should be over 500 my computer will start running slow. and i'm not done making buildings i have hundreds to create in skethup. i draw my buildings on paper then make a model. it helps visualize better.
ill probably post a thread in a day or two but idk if i should create a new city or just post them on the current city they're at.
i have a city already made. I made it in Mexico city but idk if i should post pictures of this city or i should create a fake city and just put my buildings there.

[Peter]

Thanks for the replies! :D

Can anyone say "Kerkythea?"

Great start! I'm loving it! In fact, you're starting to inspire me to do something similar (that is, build a full city using no full "textures")

Anthony
None of those were renders, but now that you mention it, I will make a Kerkythea render later!

and yeah, it's a lot funner not having to fuss with the textures. :)

Nice but damn, thats gonna take up alotta space?Unfortunately it will... but that is also why I decided to start from one spot and build out. I will fill up that entire block before I make another. this way, when it gets to the point where my computer simply cannot handle it, i'll have something that looks complete as opposed to Otahita, where it is an empty map.

thats where the follow me tool comes in handy

#draw the verticals -


# follow the shape -


# adjust scale , and voila !


an instant building (with core) before your coffee goes cold :D
excellent. thanks for demonstrating that technique :) i made mine by pulling from a new face and for the right height depending on whether it was a window level or floor level. after the main building was done, i pushed the windows in to make them 3D. the follow me tool looks very useful for complicated designs. i'll have to experiment with it.

[Peter]

Here is a render of Sabal Island and a quick description of the buildings:

-On the left is a 10-floor office building at 156 feet to the roof.
-In the middle is a 5-floor parking garage at 65 feet to the roof.
-On the right is an 18-floor office building 221 feet to the roof (Sabal Island's tallest).

The right one is part of a complex along with the parking garage. There is a staircase in between those two buildings (you can see the top of it in this image). The bottom two stairwells have entrances into the bottom two floors of the parking garage and office building which I'll show in detail in another update. I hope you like the render. :)

http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/5557/sabalisland003gn3.jpg

[Austin55]

:slob:

[Patrick]

Awsome! I love it!

So is Otahita still alive?

[Dac150]

It better be.

[Austin55]

othata:twoguns: Sabal Island

Oti wins:P
I really like this style

[Mocholate]

makes good renders :tup: but yeah ,i prefer Otihiatatia (austin :hell: :P)

[Dac150]

Bring back Otahita!

[FlyersFan118]

that looks better than my no-textures. :haha:

i'd try that if it wasn't gonna, you know, destroy my computer. yours is looking sweet though!

[foxmtbr]

Awesome redndering! :tup:

Work on the city that interests you most.

[Peter]

Really appreciate the comments everyone. :) Otahita is not dead! I said I was taking a break.

Work on the city that interests you most.

Right now, definately Sabal Island. :yes:

[Peter]

Here are a couple shots of a new building in Sabal Island. It is a small, 3-storey, family-owned retail store. They do very good business! :)

http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/7011/sabalisland005mf6.jpg

Who can guess what state Sabal Island will be located in? I never specified before. ;) Try to guess based on the building styles.

http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/2949/sabalisland004bg5.jpg

Thanks for viewing.
More soon to come!

[Austin55]

lake michigan?:shrug: :koko:

[foxmtbr]

Looks awesome!!

Hmm, that new building has a California feel to it...?

[rbowk]

sweet i like it

[Peter]

Thanks for the comments.

Here is a big hint from the original post:

Sabal Island is a modern city located on an island off the shores of the southeastern United States. It was founded in 1967, but was an unincorporated community on the maps long before then.

[Aleks]

I feel like it's in Florida or somewhere in the South east. Am i right?

[Peter]

Correct Aleks! :) That building was supposed to have a Miami look.

http://img239.imageshack.us/img239/1487/50bq7.jpg

It is located between the Bahamas and Miami, about 50 miles under South Bimini. It does not reside in a county. It is its own municipality under state level. It does not coexist with Otahita. There is currently no way to drive to the island. Ships and planes are the only way, but there is rumor the state wants to help fund a long bridge connecting Sabal Island to Miami. It is often called the celebrity home away from home.

http://img3.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/b2a409480f.jpg

[Aleks]

yeahhh!! are you gonna create a water front and ferry terminals and airports?

[Peter]

Yup, as long as my computer can handle it by then. I am building outwards from where I started.

[Dac150]

The detail is very stunning.

[Austin55]

Are we going to see some celeb Mansions?
you beter be careful there,you might be involved in the cuban misile crises!!!

[Peter]

Thanks Dac :D


Are we going to see some celeb Mansions?
you beter be careful there,you might be involved in the cuban misile crises!!!

:haha: Yes, it is very close to Cuba and has a pretty large Cuban population, but actually not as large percent as Miami. like i wrote in the original description, it is a diverse population. lots of Caribbean cultures make the city thrive into what it is.

Yes, I plan to have very nice mansions when the city is spread to the area for them.

Sabal Island saw a lot of pirates in its early days and it is believed that modern pirates still come around often secretly.

[Peter]

Here is just an update showing the road details. all the lines for everything are drawn like real life and the sizes are accurate.

http://aycu35.webshots.com/image/25314/2002390550791135244_rs.jpg

[Dac150]

You really are putting a lot fo detail into this. Excellent job!

[rbowk]

cool what a nice place to put A city

[Mocholate]

I would have guessed the building was a Miami style , if i knew what a Miami style looked like :haha:

love your road detail !

[foxmtbr]

You have a lot more patience than I do. :D

[Peter]

Thanks guys :D

It's actually easier than you think!

You just have to remember the measurements you made on everything to make it the same but you can always use the tool to check on old marks if you forgot.

I would have guessed the building was a Miami style , if i knew what a Miami style looked like :haha:

love your road detail !

I didn't exactly nail the style anyways. I was mainly referring to the Deco Deistrict of Miami, and mine's not really Deco. I just thought the colors would give it away!

[Austin55]

:haha: commies!
very nice!

[Peter]

Here is another new small building.

http://aycu15.webshots.com/image/25214/2003805925373593996_rs.jpg

These little ones are all just the beginning of a high density lowrise spread all over the city with pretty much buildings touching but some with alleyways. I am doing this instead of all skyscrapers to have a "complete" feeling instead of emptyness. Of course, high-rises will be made where I feel it is necessary for them.

http://aycu15.webshots.com/image/25214/2003852069770769433_rs.jpg

[Austin55]

a highrise now!
most Amazing.:tup:

[Dac150]

Has that Miami feel and look to it. Nice job!

[Peter]

a highrise now!
most Amazing.:tup:

Thank you. Those two office towers are enough high-rises for now, this is not a huge city. ;)


Has that Miami feel and look to it. Nice job!

Thank you, that is exactly what I was going for :)

[treras93]

with or without high rises the city and detail is awesome:tup:

[Peter]

I appreciate the comment teras.:)

I just want to mention again incase it was misunderstood, there will be more high rise buildings but I am mainly focusing on the traditional downtown style of many lowrise buildings touching (mine are 6" apart because textures overlap otherwise, but they appear to be connected) for now. :)

[Austin55]

:previous: thats how my raod lines are:haha:

[rbowk]

lol your city is going really well
i like the detail

[Peter]

A new office building was constructed on the corner of the block. Now this entire side is filled and I will begin work on the other side of the block. :D

http://aycu14.webshots.com/image/23493/2004700085291665006_rs.jpg

It may look like there's a lot of people down there, but, believe it or not, this is one of the least busiest areas of the city!

http://aycu40.webshots.com/image/23079/2004749945397040196_rs.jpg

The building is home to a bunch of small companies and some professional's offices like doctors, dentists, and psychiatrists.

http://aycu13.webshots.com/image/25052/2004780874209903457_rs.jpg

Possibly a high-rise apartment back here ;)

http://aycu01.webshots.com/image/24680/2004780654436846635_rs.jpg

More soon to come!

[Dac150]

Very fine work. I can see you put a lot of time in.

[Austin55]

wowza! youve inspired me peter!
Tip: are there supposed to be two park beches there? you could just scale on up:cool:

[Mocholate]

woah - got realism ? :yes:

Now you have some different styles i can see it's gonna turn out real good :cool:

do you do the roads by hand ?

[foxmtbr]

Very nice!! I love it! :D

[rbowk]

coool i like howyou have kept th buildings low and not massiv bu in the future you should have some poping up

[Peter]

Very fine work. I can see you put a lot of time in.Thank you. The building didn't take more than an hour to complete.

wowza! youve inspired me peter!
Tip: are there supposed to be two park beches there? you could just scale on up:cool:I'm glad to hear that, thanks. All components are temporary for scenes only. ;) However, once I get a good amount done in the city, I'll start making my own components to be permenent (but all hidden when not taking shots for better performance). I'll even make 2d face-me people. Maybe I'll make myself. :haha:

woah - got realism ? :yes:

Now you have some different styles i can see it's gonna turn out real good :cool:

do you do the roads by hand ?
Thanks :D Yes I do the roads from scratch. I've got a little system that seems to be working nicely.

Very nice!! I love it! :D
Thank you fox :)

coool i like howyou have kept th buildings low and not massiv bu in the future you should have some poping upFor now it is a small city, but when a lot more is done, I will start making stories like skyscraper proposals. :cool: :D

[Austin55]

an hour!!!!!!! i havent spent 3 hours on long island city or whater its called.

[Aleks]

Yoyu better make skyscrapers. A city this nice need tall buildings.

[rbowk]

oh that will be great

[Patrick]

Awsome! :)

[Austin55]

I look forward to more stuff from this city. what would be neat is a cozy little park or plaza tucked between the buildings:cool:

[Peter]

Thanks guys. Good idea austin.

Here's a new 4-floor office building for that corner. The other has been moved to the other side's corner for better accommodation. ;)
http://aycu12.webshots.com/image/26051/2004477957689527524_rs.jpg

Here is a top view of everything. Even the tallest of these will look like little babies when there's finally skyscrapers around.
http://aycu28.webshots.com/image/26187/2004466453621938387_rs.jpg

More soon!

[CGII]

Can I just make the recommendation that if you're going for realism and you don't care about the poly count, you should really put in the central cores of buildings where the elevators and stairs go, it's just a bit odd to be able to see straight through these buildings. Think like this:

http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/3403/ruvin1ew1.jpg

[Austin55]

wow very nice job!

[rbowk]

oh sweet nice update

[Patrick]

Who knew a 4 Story building would be so exciting!? :haha:

[Peter]

Thanks everybody!

Can I just make the recommendation that if you're going for realism and you don't care about the poly count, you should really put in the central cores of buildings where the elevators and stairs go, it's just a bit odd to be able to see straight through these buildings. Think like this:



Great suggestion! Constructive ciriticism is what I want. Thanks. I had thought about that myself, but wasn't sure how to go about it when I first started the city. Mocholate showed a little demonstration in the first page which I've yet to try. The next tall one I will try to do it, and if possible, current ones will be edited.

[treras93]

[QUOTE=CGII;3017019]Can I just make the recommendation that if you're going for realism and you don't care about the poly count, you should really put in the central cores of buildings where the elevators and stairs go, it's just a bit odd to be able to see straight through these buildings. Think like this:


whats poly count.

and peter this city is awesome the detail is ridiculous! keep it up:tup: :)

[CGII]

Thanks everybody!



Great suggestion! Constructive ciriticism is what I want. Thanks. I had thought about that myself, but wasn't sure how to go about it when I first started the city. Mocholate showed a little demonstration in the first page which I've yet to try. The next tall one I will try to do it, and if possible, current ones will be edited.

It's quite easy. Just make a rectangle on the bottom face of the building, and push/pull that to the roof.

[Derek]

I really like the way the parking garage flows into the street.

[Peter]

Thank you Derek.

Expect many more details similar to that.

I plan on making alleys between/behind some of the buildings.
Dumpsters and all! ;)

These are two shots of everything so far:

http://aycu35.webshots.com/image/25634/2000337564096485034_rs.jpg

http://aycu31.webshots.com/image/23030/2000334842060675122_rs.jpg

[Austin55]

super nice!

[rbowk]

wow cool

[Peter]

Thanks! :D

and Now...

It has been planned for over 5 years in downtown Sabal Island, and has been underconstruction for about 1 year now. Finally, the island's skyline will forever change with this new 16 floor high-rise apartment building.

The building has just opened but is still undergoing some construction on the outside. It contains studio apartments only at a very affordable rate as pushed by the city to promote growth downtown. A parking garage is underway and will be completed in a quick 5 months.

A nearby chopper zoomed in to catch this quick shot of the building downtown.

http://aycu35.webshots.com/image/24594/2006315166068566429_rs.jpg

More soon! :D

[Mocholate]

Now that's impressive! :cool:

[FREKI]

Soo clear - looks great man!

[Tanster]

im guessing this city will have a freeway

[Patrick]

Sexy!

[rbowk]

wow sweet looking gooood

[Peter]

Thank you all for the comments.

im guessing this city will have a freeway
I plan to have one yes, but this is a slow city as you can tell and it's just one block at a time... :)

[Aleks]

It's very very detailed. More than mines will be. When are you gonna have a Boom?

[rbowk]

oh i freeway that will be good

[rbowk]

a freeway sorry

[foxmtbr]

Suave!

[Dac150]

Very impressive!

[Aleks]

Are all the edges softened all the way?

[Peter]

Thanks guys! :D

Are all the edges softened all the way?
Well that shot was a render so there's no edges at all, but no, I don't soften edges. If you don't see edges in any of my shots they are just disabled.

[Aleks]

When are we getting another update??!

[Peter]

:previous: I apologize for not showing updates as often as I did in the past like for Otahita, but I try to wait until there is a significant change such as a new building. It takes much longer because I'm detailing everything. I might show something later today.

[rbowk]

its ok peter take your time the more time you spend on it
the more detailed and brilliant it is going to be and itis nice for a cit to go slow going cause rome wasent built in a day so TAKE YOUR TIME

[Mocholate]

nice quote Rbowk :P:P

IMO any update is a good update :cool:

[Peter]

The apartment was a success and there are no more vacancies! The owners will be very happy! There is one problem though, the parking garage was not built yet and parking is mess!

There's just not enough parking spaces! You can see in this top view of the city, a small, 20-space parking lot behind the building:
http://aycu12.webshots.com/image/24011/2001936454688601096_rs.jpg

Here are some details of the apartment:
-There are 4 units on each level.
-There is a total of 16 levels.
-The lobby level does not have any apartments, so 15 x 4 is a total of 60 units.
-The owners paid 6.2 million to have this thing built.
-With the average rent being 1200 (considered very affordable for this luxorious area) it will take approx. 6 years for the owners to start making profits.

Here is a view taken from the rooftop of the apartment
http://aycu04.webshots.com/image/24083/2001959692499588850_rs.jpg

Adding on the parking garage will only make profit-reaching take longer but they absolutely have to get one built, and the city is giving the owners 120 days to get the parking plans approved. It is taking the owners so long because they want to make it as cheap as possible. They want to stay under 1.5 million for a garage that holds about 200 cars.

Here is another shot from top floor of the tallest office building
http://aycu26.webshots.com/image/24585/2001966591146402793_rs.jpg

and here is looking towards from a nearby intersection. It has changed the skyline, even though it's only 16 storeys. :)
http://aycu11.webshots.com/image/25730/2001928642726507576_rs.jpg

More soon! Hopefully a better update next time. ;)

[Austin55]

geeeeez.it took 30 minutes for you to post thta!
Its just owning the word Cool!
I recomend a few new types of cars;)

[Aleks]

WOW, That's awesome!! Why doesn't the owner make a garage that holds up to 500!!! car's and rents it to nearby office towers?