Astana enhanced, part 12 - site E

(Astana was a hurried video project where a camera flies through 1300 acres of property. Now, to answer my question, "what if we'd been given more time," I'm enhancing the entire neighborhood.)

new version, detail

new version 3

old version 2

older version 1

For site E, I prefer the version 1 lighting. Unfortunately, for site E, I have to use [version 3] universal lighting that benefits the majority of the 9 sites. Site E - the only site for which the camera points west - loses out in this case.

W Washington Hotel, part 3 - sky terrace

(About a year ago, we were contracted to do the illustrations for W Hotel's new Washington D.C. hotel.)
CASE STUDY edition

sky terrace rendering, detail

This time I'm showing some of the progress that lead to the finished rendering. Maybe this post will be a little more interesting, or maybe it'll just be long-winded.

existing sky terrace circa March 2007

Here's a photograph of the old terrace prior to redesign.

lamp rendering test

This lamp is the first thing I modeled for the sky terrace, but it was omitted from the final design.

Astana enhanced, part 11 - site D

(Astana was a hurried video project where a camera flies through 1300 acres of property. Now, to answer my question, "what if we'd been given more time," I'm enhancing the entire neighborhood.)

new version, detail

new version, wind test

new version

old version

Astana enhanced, part 10 - site C

(Astana was a hurried video project where a camera flies through 1300 acres of property. Now, to answer my question, "what if we'd been given more time," I'm enhancing the entire neighborhood.)

new version, detail

new version

old version

... More birds, pigeons this time. This time, the flock was generated with a particle system. It's a powerful time-saver.
Enhancements to site C include people, birds, bike, car, tall grass, flowers.

pigeon rig

flock test

W Washington Hotel, part 2 - great room

(About a year ago, we were contracted to do the illustrations for W Hotel's new Washington D.C. hotel.)

great room

This is my most interesting W Hotel rendering, because of lighting (6 different types of light sources) and dynamic decor (radiating ceiling and long table). However, of the 7 rooms we created, I'd be least comfortable in this one, due to the lack of elbow room.
This room was also a collaboration with Paolo Bertolotti.

great room detail

chandelier, test rendering

dinnerware, test rendering
medium-res set on left, low-res set on right
(click to enlarge)

Paramodel

interview

Astana enhanced, part 9 - site B

(Astana was a hurried video project where a camera flies through 1300 acres of property. Now, to answer my question, "what if we'd been given more time," I'm enhancing the entire neighborhood.)

dog rig

test loop

YouTube can be handy for animation reference. I used some videos there to study how a dog runs. I'm having a lot of fun making these animated animals. Next, I'll need pigeons for site C, and eventually ducks and a grazing deer.
Enhancements to site B include the animated dog and people, reflective glass, rustling trees. 3 sites down, 6 to go.

new version, detail

new version

old version