UP CARILLON

One of the most memorable landmarks around UP Diliman campus is the Carillon Tower, located between Cinema Adarna and the University Theater. Marking a bold statement on the campus of UP Diliman, the 130-foot tall Carillon Tower was designed and built in 1952 by Juan Nakpil. Over the years, the UP Carillon has retained its appeal by filling the campus with lovely chimes that continually draw people to it. 

In terms of cultural aspect, the UP Carillon was officially named the Andres Bonifacio Centennial Carillon Tower in 1997. As this was the time of the Centennial of the Philippine revolution, this occurrence brought the collective memory of our Filipino heroes inscribed on a marker of the UP Carillon, “Andres Bonifacio- Ama ng Lahing Pilipino.” 

Indeed, the UP Carillon is one of the remarkable spot in the campus, not just because of its aesthetic beauty but also the cultural value that adheres behind its musical and architectural integrity.

This inspired me to create an architectural visualization of UP Carillon in different styles. To explain my composition, the process of 3D modeling was done in Sketchup while non-photorealistic rendering was done using Photoshop, Fotosketcher and Picasa. 

UP Carillon_Sketchup 3D-Modeling

During this 3D-modelling process, I was lucky to get a model of UP Carillon in 3D warehouse (the official repository website for sketchup). Since the model that I have acquired has minimal detailing structure with low texture quality, I decided to modify the original model. Below are some test render images and screen shots of UP Carillon, showing the transformation and improvements of the model.

UP Carillon 3D model (test render using kerkythea)

A. UP Carillon (original model from 3D warehouse)

B. UP Carillon (modified model)

UP Carillon 3D model (Sketchup file in monochrome style)

A. UP Carillon (original model from 3D warehouse)

B. UP Carillon (modified model)

UP Carillon (Plan view)

UP Carillon (Aerial perspective)

UP Carillon_Sketcup 3D-Modeling_Components

In order to reinforce a more detailed structural surrounding in the model, I made some components that are present in the actual scene. 

UP Carillon_Sketcup 3D-Modeling_Landscape Scene

In order to portray the exact landscape scenery of UP Carillon in a digital 3D composition, it is important to give emphasis on the existing landscape elements within the site. Using different reference photos of Carillon tower as well as actual site visits, I was able to construct and render different landscape materials which include the following: (1) path-walk, (2) slope, (3) softscape materials, (4) hardscape materials, (5) lights, (6) existing structures etc…

UP Carillon_Sketchup_Landscape modeling tutorials

A. UP Carillon (flat surface)

B. UP Carillon (slope surface)

1. Open the skp file> select the flat surface

2. Remove the flat surface

3. Using sandbox tool, click “from scratch”> position the grid surface> adjust the scale

4. Click "smoove" then adjust the grid surface based on your prefer shape/contour.

5. Click window> open soften edges> double click the group model> adjust the "soften edges" using the following settings: 180/ check smooth normal/ check soften coplanar. This will enable us to remove the grid and rough edges.

6. Apply grass texture on the ground

7. Final output

UP Carillon_Non-Photo-Realistic (NPR)

I prefer to render my composition in NPR style translated into digital water color and ink-pencil styles. Below are some of my UP Carillon NPR works that were rendered in different software such as Sketchup, GIMP2, Fotosketcher, PSCS5_Art Justice Realistic Sketching 4, Cartoon Generator, XnSketch, Photo2sketch, and Instant Photo Sketch.

UP Carillon (NPR) Digital Watercolor Style

UP Carillon (NPR) Pencil/Ink Style

UP Carillon_Non-Photo-Realistic (NPR)_Tutorials

Here, I am not going to discuss 3D modeling procedures in general, only that side of it which involves certain technical aspects of rendering and post-production techniques. 

The Making of Carillon: a digital watercolor tutorial

Click on link to view tutorial

The Making of Carillon: a digital pencil tutorial

In this tutorial, we will learn a very quick and less hustle rendering technique in portraying a pencil sketch style that is effective in presenting fine architectural landscape visualization. This particular non-photo realistic rendering technique requires only two softwares. (1) Sketchup for 3D modeling and (2) photoshop for rendering. Also, I will be suggesting different softwares that can be used as alternatives for rendering. These softwares can also generate watercolor, pencil, ink, painting effect etc… similar to photoshop.

So here are the step-by-step procedures:

STEP 1: Open your sketchup 3D model and set the default style to hidden line with shadows and fog turned on. This particular style is important in order to produce clear fine lines when rendering pencil sketch style in photoshop or any other software. When you’re satisfied with the settings, export all the models: Go to File> Export> 2D Graphic and save in JPEG format.

Here is the exported image/ cropped tree branch (textured)

STEP 2: Open the exported image model and cropped image in Photoshop. Set the Blend Mode to Multiply and merge the two layers.

STEP 3: Click Action> Art Justice Sketching 4> Play. This filter process will automatically generate pencil effect. After the rendering process, save the image in JPEG or PNG format.

Here is the end resut

In order to improve the image with a more authentic sketch quality, you can apply some textures drawing paper on your image. 

Textured watercolor paper

STEP 4: Open the rendered image and drawing paper in photoshop. If the drawing paper image is too small, press Ctrl+T to adjust the size of the image. Set the Blend mode to multiply. Save the image in JPEG or PNG format.

Final Output

Aside from photoshop there are other softwares that can be use as an alternative in producing such non-photorealistic rendering quality. Below are the list of the following softwares provided with sample image.

Fotosketcher, Photo2Sketch, XnSketch, Instant Photo Sketch, Cartoon Generator and Picasa

Thank you for reading my tutorials. Hopefully you can use these techniques as reference to further develop your style in rendering and to be able to apply it in your future projects.