How to represent sculptures that you don't have a 3-D model for?

[alevinemi]

All,

I am building a virtual art gallery of my wife's work using SweetHome3D.

However, we don't have 3D models of her sculptures, and given how detailed they are, making them would be prohibitively time-consuming. I am struggling with how to render these in SweetHome3D.

I have used boxes, and attached 2-D bitmaps to each of the sides, in essence, creating a box with images. That works, but isn't great.

What would be really cool (but don't think is possible) would be to have an object with a bitmap image, but that somehow that image "always faced" the camera in 3-D view or when taking a movie. It would always be in the same location, but would rotate so the 2-D image directly faced the camera. This way, whatever angle you look at the object, you get the same bitmap image.

Is it possible to create an object that breaks the laws of physics like that?

[alevinemi]

Other thoughts are that if I can't do this, is there a better way? Perhaps wrap the image twice around a cylinder or octagon pillar instead of a box? I am open to any suggestions.

[okh]

In lieu of making a rough 3D model, I would probably use a very flat box (or better, just a two-faced vertical rectangle).

Then I would use images of the sculpture (front and back) and remove the background (i.e. make transparent, some image editing necessary, but it is not that hard).

Apply the two images as textures, one on each side. You would miss a full 3d effect, but you would get a pretty good visualisation from most viewpoints.

ok

PS (you don't list e-mail, but if you send me one I can send you an example)

[alevinemi]

Good idea! I like it!

As long as I don't shoot the video too close to the side, it should look OK.

-->Adam

[okh]

Did a quick test, and it looked ok. Let me know if you need a copy of my test file. ok

[alevinemi]

Did a quick test, and it looked ok. Let me know if you need a copy of my test file. ok

Many thanks, and it worked. Just for comparison:

My way (bitmap boxes): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWVXMxhASkk

Your way (transparent flat boxes): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MyGGdWQdTE

The transparent boxes are much better. I also went with a circular room to avoid shooting sculptures from the wrong direction.

[okh]

Thanks for sharing the result. Splendid job you did. And useful to know the approach could be good for tricky objects. Good luck with your wife's exhibition! ok

[MariusTitulescu]

Wow! I can't believe it turned out so good. Do you have other recent stuff made in the same way?
____________
Marius Artys

[dorin]

Although he seems to be a fellow countryman of mine, he is attempting to advertise.
I consider this to be SPAM.

[Keet]

It is spam. I reported it using the abuse button (bottom right of the post: [X-(] between [Link] and the up arrow.)
That doesn't show in the thread though.