How to simplify a complex model ??

[Keshan Perera]

Hello Modelers!!!!

Please tell me the way to simplify a complex model. I'm having a problem with this model I uploaded. It says that the model has too much geometry :( http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=b1175a3e304dfd39f75ae1cf78b32739 Can anyone help me in this regard ? It would be great if you can help me!!!!

 

Cheers!!!

Keshan.

[Maceman]

Hi Keshan,

Great looking model.  I think the excessive geometry issue lies with the columns as you have them constructed.  Each column currently has 1153 faces x 45 columns = a lot of faces.  Here's a link to some info that has helped me with reducing geometry:   http://sketchupdate.blogspot.com/2011/08/speed-up-sketchup-extrude-curves-with.html  

Also, I found a Ruby that claims to reduce poly count:  http://www.cad-addict.com/2010/09/sketchup-plugins-face-number-reduction.html 

I have not tried this script, but it might be useful.

Lastly, I did notice that some parts of your columns are visible from inside the building.  After your groups (in this case, columns) are precisely located you can then explode groups > triple click (select everything) > context click > intersect faces > with model.  This "internal geometry" can then be deleted, further reducing poly count.  

Mace

[Randy]

Keshan,

 

There is actually a lot you can do.

 

Columns

There are three different methods to decrease these.

 

Small

1. Make half of the column and convert it to a component.
2. Use two instances of the half column to make a complete column.
3. Save the two halfs as a component

Smaller

 

1. Make half of the column and convert it to a component.
2. Set the component properties to "Always face the camera."

Smallest

1. Use a 2D image of the column as a component.
2. Set the component properties to "Always face the camera."

X-tra Small

1. Cut the entire model down the middle.
2. Delete half of the building, and save one half as a component.
3. Use an instance of the half component for the second half of the building
4. Use the scale tool to mirror the second half and place them side-by-side to form the complete building.

For better results, use the eraser tool + Shift to hide the edges of the components that touch their mirrored counterpart.

[Eneka Mujika]

Hola Keshan

Su modelo tiene 105.732 aristas. (Menu - Windows - Info Model - Static)

El máximo es 64.000 aristas, pero el máximo recomendable serían 30.000 aristas.

En las columnas puede reducir muchas aristas,perdiendo calidad :-(

salu2

nk

P.D. Hi Randy "Always face the camera." solo funciona en Sketchup, no en Google earth

[Keshan Perera]

Hello!!!!

Thank for helping me to solve this problem. You gave me some great advises. I will apply your suggestions now. And I will post it if it get selected :D 

Thank you very much!!!

Cheers,

Keshan.

[Keshan Perera]

Wohoo!!!

I simplified the model. Now the statistics are :

Edges - 1266

Faces - 549  

Will this be enough? (Please tell yes)

But I am very sad because the quality of the model was reduced.                                                       

[Maceman]

Keshan,

Very nice!  I think it looks great, and the quality isn't reduced so much as you might think.  Really nice model!  FYI - If you approach the building from the front, there is a missing face at the front right hand corner.  Take a close look and you're sure to spot it.

All the best,

Maceman

On Monday, July 30, 2012 1:26:07 PM UTC-5, Keshan Perera wrote:

[Keshan Perera]

Hello Maceman!!!!!!!

Ohh Thank you for pointing out that mistake Maceman. That face was deleted by a plugin which I used to reduce the number of polygons. But it increased the number of plugins and deleted most of the faces. I had to erase those line and remake those deleted faces. But I missed this face. So I will edit this model now. Again thank you very much!!!!

Cheers,

Ksehan.  

[Keshan Perera]

Okay, Done!!! I uploaded the model!!!

[Randy]

Hey,

 

Your model is hovering about 3.73 meters above the terrain on the right side. If you learn to use components instead of copies of each column, you'd only need to do it once. Looks like you lost the shape of the top of the columns and now have a cylinder shape, but still a lot of geometry for a square builing.

 

P.S.

A "Group" is not the same thing as a "component".

[Randy]

One more item....

 

Turn off the the visibility of the textures, and turn on the Wireframe, then you can see all the edges that need to be removed.

[Keshan Perera]

Thank you Randy!! I made the terrain. Thank you for showing me that :D

[Randy]

Keshan,

 

Have you had a chance to view any of the sketchup tutorials and review the acceptance criteria? Because it seems like you're flying by the seat of your pants. Which basically means you're making changes when someone points out a problem, but you're not really sure why. I see that you added a "terrain skirt" but it does not fix the problem. Now, you just have more stuff floating above the terrain.

1. Open your model
2. Click "Window"
3. If there is not a checkmark next to "Layers" click it so that the Layers panel opens.
4. In the Layers panel, you'll see there are 3 layers. 2 of them contain the terrain from Google Earth. One is flat (Snapshot) and one is the 3D terrain
5. A checkmark in the boxes indicates the layer is visible. BEFORE you upload your model, turn on the terrain, AND turn off the Snapshot layer.
6. Then LOOK AT IT from every direction. What do you see?

Now, open your "Components" panel. Click on the symbol of a house just below the "Edit" tab. What do you see here? You should see 3 copies of the building. All 3 are the same, and one is nested inside another. Basically, you trippled your geometry count to a whopping Edges= 35138 and Faces=13355. You're going the wrong way.The idea is to get less, not more.

 

Click "Window > Model Info" then click "Statistics" in the left column. Make sure "Show nested components" is checked. Look below at the "Component Instances" count. It shows there are 3 instances in use. If you dig deeper you will see that Component #3 is a nested copy of component #2 which is a nested copy of component #3 nested inside itself.

 

Are you having a difficult time getting your lines to meet when you draw? In the "Model Info" panel, look at the "Units" category. Adjust your precision to be less precise and the mouse will snap a little easier.

 

I don't know if it still exists, but there was a checklist included in the Guide for Modeling that lists what items to check before uploading. Find the checklist or make your own, but use it each time so that you don't  overlook these issues.

 

Good luck

Randy

[Google Guide Alex]

Attached is the Modeling A City pdf Randy is referencing. It has some great info in it (like the checklist), but it's fairly out of date. Like est. in 2007, out of date. So take parts of it with a grain of salt and remember today's acceptance criteria :) 

[Keshan Perera]

Hello Randy and Alex!!!

If you look at my models you can see lot's of mistakes. That's because I learned modeling by experiments. I haven't watched a single video about modeling or anything. (I cannot) So there would be lot's of mistakes. Thank you for teaching me these things. I have some problems with this components. I cannot understand this. I have to find a written tutorial about this. And I have that pdf that you are talking about. I downloaded it about 3 weeks ago. But thank you for sharing that Alex!! I'll be more concerned about my models now on. 

And how can I delete those 2 components?

Thank You,

Keshan.

[Randy]

Before you delete the components, you need to first make sure it's not the one being used. So, select the entire model, right-click on it then select "Explode". Doing that will dissassociate it with any component. Now, open the components panel under "Window > Components". In the components panel, click the house icon, then right-click on the component in the list and select "Delete".

 

Hope this helps.

Randy

[Keshan Perera]

Thank you Randy!! I got it !!!!!

[Randy]

Keshan,

I'm concerned because learning through trial and error often leads to the learner forming bad habits that will eventually cause more trouble later. If you develop your sketchup skills based on experiments then you'll never get to use the real power of the software.

I think I recal you saying you had data download issues which is why you can't watch online videos, right? Does that also include anything you download on email? Can you receive large files?

Maybe I can find a way to get you what you need. I'd be more than happy to compile a DVD of what ever I can manage to download (if they're downloadable) and mail it to you. Or, could you download from an FTP site? There has to be something I can do for you.

[Keshan Perera]

Hello Randy!!!

I cannot watch videos because I can use only 1.5GB of per month. So if I watch videos the number of MBs or GBs go hire and I will have to pay very big amount for our internet connection. My father doesn't allow me to watch videos because of that. Last month we had to pay 8000 rupees. (about 80$ ) So this is not a Downloading issue :) Not only videos, we don't download large files from the internet such as softwares, games etc. Hope you can understand me :D

Cheers,

Keshan. 

[Randy]

Keshan,

 

I think I may have found a solution that will allow you to view the video tutorials (without downloading). But it would be without audio. Although I could provide closed captioning.

 

I'm not 100% if it will work, so I've asked a friend of mine here to help me test my idea. You would not need to download anything more than a small browser plug-in which would happen automatically. If it works out here, I'll get back to you to let you know.

[Keshan Perera]

Thank you Randy!! You are helping me a lot!!! It's okay without sounds. I can understand it without sounds :D

Thank you VERY MUCH!!!!

[Osni brandt mariano]

Alguém  sabe com quem eu entro em contato para me disponibilizar a trabalhar com sreet view aqui na minha região, e só mandar o equipamento que eu estalo no meu carro.

2012/8/10 Keshan Perera <p.ke...@yahoo.com>

Thank you Randy!! You are helping me a lot!!! It's okay without sounds. I can understand it without sounds :D

Thank you VERY MUCH!!!!

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