Modelling Hampshire



Modelling Hampshire was an independent study/personal project begun by Fletcher West during Janterm of 2009. It has now evolved into his Div III, Explorable Hampshire. The primary goal of the project was to create a 3d map of the campus by modelling our buildings using Sketchup and submitting these models for inclusion in Google Earth. The idea for this project came about upon the realization that while the town of Amherst and the University of Massachusetts both have fairly comprehensive sets of models, Hampshire did not have a single model of any of their buildings. Furthermore, the interactive map on Hampshire's website was outdated, flash-based, and generally not very useful (it has since been overhauled, but not significantly improved). Ultimately, the goal of this project would be also to create a replacement for this: a fully interactive map with 3d buildings and satellite imagery, in the form of an embedded version of Google Earth.

January 2009

 * Fletcher conceptualized and began to work on the project as an alternative to a formal Janterm course.

Spring 2009

 * Several preliminary models were completed this semester. Progress was documented here.
 * Cole Science Center was accepted for inclusion in Google Earth's 3d layer.
 * During this semester, this project was pursued in conjunction with the Digistising Hampshire project. This made sense at the time because both efforts seek to create comprehensive online documentation of the school. The issue that arose was how to include the 3d models in Hampedia in a meaningful, useful way, while staying in line with its goals and limitations. Unfortunately, we were unable to arrive at a solution for this problem. Though Hampedia will not be a platform for this project going forward, it will serve as a way to document its progress.

Fall 2009

 * During this semester the project will be continued as its own independent study under the supervision of Donna Cohn.
 * Access has been granted to the blueprints at Physical Plant, meaning the models can be constructed based on accurate dimensions.

Current Plan
The following is the current plan for this independent study as presented to faculty advisor Donna Cohn:

During the course of this semester, I will continue to model the buildings on our campus. I will improve upon the models I began last semesters, and begin several new ones. My rubric for what constitutes a completed model will be the acceptance criteria for the 3d buildings layer of Google Earth. Unfortunately, it will be difficult for me to predict exactly which ones I will complete by the end of the semester. I see this project as a continuing effort, rather than something that will end at the conclusion of the semester. As my progress will depend on some of the factors detailed below, it is difficult for me to provide a rigid timeline at this point. I will, however, attempt to provide some dates by which I hope to accomplish various steps. The first order of business will be to find out roughly accurate dimensions of the buildings. In the past I have estimated the height and size of buildings based on their footprint as seen in satellite images. Although I do not intend to be perfect, going forward I must have a greater degree of accuracy to ensure that I am producing realistic reproductions. To accomplish this, I will contact Physical Plant to request either a list of dimensions, or access to blueprints so that I may collect this information myself. (This has been accomplished.) Using the dimensions collected, reference photos, and direct observations, I will model each building in Google Sketchup. The models must be roughly accurate, but not too complex. Certain details of buildings will be have to be conveyed through textures rather than polygons. Due to the complexity of the architecture in some of our buildings, there are some buildings which I do not expect to complete during this semester. In order to meet the acceptance criteria for Google earth's 3d buildings layer, the models must be textured with photographs of the actual building and photo realistic textures for areas of the building not covered by the photos. To accomplish this, I will personally photograph each building from every side. This will likely be the most laborious step in the process of this project. In order to ensure the most complete view of each building, I will have to wait until the leaves have fallen off the trees in front of each building. Upon satisfactory completion of each model, I will submit it for inclusion in Google Earth. Hopefully they will all be accepted, but I will not know immediately as the review process can take over a month. I must make sure that each model meets the requirements of acceptance so that I do not have to spend extra time revising models and waiting for them to be reviewed again. My ultimate goal is to have a complete 3d map of our campus visible to anyone using Google Earth software. This effort has already been realized by other schools and towns, most notably the University of Massachusetts and the town of Amherst.

Partially Completed:

 * Cole - requires accurate dimensions; finished textures done
 * FPH - accurate dimensions; textures
 * Dakin - accurate dimensions; textures

Will begin Work On:

 * Library
 * RCC*
 * ASH* 
 * Dining Commons* 
 * Merrill* 
 * Greenwich
 * Lemelson

(*Some preliminary work is done)

Models Actually Completed

 * Cole
 * Greenwich Donut 1 (which is structurally different than the rest)
 * Greenwich Donuts 2-5

Rough Timeline

 * Some time in the next week - Meet to discuss/finalize this plan
 * Oct 30 - Meet for progress update
 * Nov 2 - Have all accurate dimensions
 * Nov 4 - (advising day) Meet for progress update
 * Nov 23 - Meet, confirm which models will be finished by the end of the semester
 * Nov 30 - Begin texturing finished models
 * Dec 14 - Proposed completion date

Documentation
This project will be documented in several ways:


 * Hampedia - Right here, on this page
 * Google Warehouse - 3d Models will be uploaded to the Hampshire College collection
 * Google Docs - other documents associated with the project will be stored here
 * Independent Study Plan
 * Building Dimensions Spreadsheet
 * Google Earth Modelling Guide(pdf)

Process
The process of creating a model of a building for Google Earth is fairly straightforward. It consists of the following steps:


 * 1) Locate the building in Google Earth, and zoom in as closely as possible to it while still keeping the entire structure in frame. Make sure terrain is turned on.
 * 2) In Sketchup, go to Tools&gt;Google Earth&gt;Get Current View. This will import the aerial imagery as well as location and terrain data from Earth.
 * 3) Using the Axes tool, create axes which are parallel to the footprint of the building. It is helpful to place them directly on a right angle in the building.
 * 4) Using the Pencil tool, create an outline of the building's footprint by closely tracing it's roof. Make sure that corresponding elements have the same dimensions.
 * 5) Select a prominent corner and move the outline so it is in line with the base of the building rather than the roof.
 * 6) Using the Push/Pull tool, extrude the plane created by the outline to the proper height.
 * 7) Using reference images or observations, model additional details of the building with the Pencil and Push/Pull tools.
 * 8) Create materials for each type of face in the structure using photographs of the building. Paint these materials on the corresponding faces and position them properly.
 * 9) Ensure that the model does not float above the ground. If it does, either move or extrude it downward so it is slightly below the terrain.
 * 10) When the model is complete, upload it to 3d Warehouse by going to File&gt;3d Warehouse&gt;Share Model.

12-1

 * Cole is finished and online
 * Greenwich donut 1 is finished and pending review
 * Estimated height for Greenwich using siding

11-22

 * Photographed greenwich and the back of cole
 * Collected dimensions for cole, fph, and dakin. Elevation diagram for greenwich was missing.
 * Completed and uploaded model for greenwich donut 1.
 * Will begin verifying/adjusting existing models based on accurate dimensions

11-3

 * Created this page
 * Met with Larry Archey last week-got access to blueprints at physplant
 * Plan to begin photographing buildings tomorrow (will depend on weather/sunlight)
 * Cole is first priority - back and sides
 * Dakin next