Google discontinues 3D modeling support for geolocated models.

https://groups.google.com/forum/#!msg/3dwh/epXUQA2bJ2s/pw7G8E6wtZ4J

Looks like my modeling for the city is over.  I'll still create buildings but it won't be the same without the support.

Iowa Capitol

I'm revealing the big news that I've been keeping quiet for a while.  I created Burlington's   capitol building using Google Sketchup.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TelsLKih6e0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8bGjXgVq7I

I constructed he model using a combination of plaque images, old photographs, and book material to create an accurate model.

In addition to this, I also wrote a book about the history of the building, my thoughts behind it, and the model that was constructed.  It will be available to purchase paperback on Amazon within a few days.   You can purchase the paperback and ebook through these links.

 https://www.createspace.com/4444087

http://www.amazon.com/Capitol-Politics-Religion-Clashed-ebook/dp/B00F7NHEYA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1379266567&sr=8-1&keywords=vern+ancelet

And you check out the book's Facebook page for more information.

https://www.facebook.com/FirstIowaCapitol

Big project

Sorry for the late response to this old blog but I have some current news.  I'm currently finishing up some pieces of a big project that I'm working on.  The project isn't ready to be revealed yet but it will in due time.

New project

A while back, I decided to do a new product.  The new product is to write the businesses hours, write down phone numbers, write down addresses, and take photos. They are then published through Google's Places search section.  For example, I did the post office here in town because of two reasons: finding the phone number was difficult and finding time to go down there when its open is usually difficult.

Originally when this place was searchable on Google, it had improper naming, there was no phone number, no buisness hours, no photos, not even an address was listed!  By having this in place, it would help people from around the area to not only get their business across to people online, but also consumers don't have to drive out to find these places and find that they are closed.

Mount Pleasant Street Viaduct model complete!

Its been a while since I submitted a model.  This particular model is the first bridge model I have ever created.

I gave up the first time around in making it, but afterwards went after the project again.  The bottom isn't exactly as the original, but it appears similar on top.

http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=db1383c48415d0a4c5c7c95b8218678a

Super Moon and more

I haven't posted in here for a while so here are the updates that I and what future things I will be doing.

First, I observed the Super Moon last night.
http://youtu.be/HR6PLbj5Ekw
http://youtu.be/aX8Ppp_Nr_g
http://youtu.be/kMFvYMeKNDk

Also, starting June 5th and 6th, Venus will start its transit nearby Earth at Sunset, which we are able to see it passing by.
http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/OH/tran/TOV2012-Fig01.pdf

As for the aerial project, I found a much cheaper camera mount with a quadcopter, capable of carrying 10-15 pounds.  I may look into purchasing it fairly soon.

Recently, I've been listing businesses into Google Maps, such as their proper names, addresses, updated photos, even times and days of which they are opened and closed.

As for building model projects, I'm leaving it on hold for a while.

Back from Arizona

I came back Sunday afternoon from Arizona.  We just barely missed the snowstorm that rolled into Flagstaff.  Photos and video will be uploaded soon, however there are a few things that needs to be done before it can happen.

Trip to Arizona

From March 10-18, I'm attending a Sociology class in Arizona.  I'm planning to take some photographs and videos during the trip.  I'll upload the photographs on my Deviantart account, which is located here on this link.  http://vernancelet.deviantart.com/

As for the video footage, that will specifically be uploaded on a different website called Vimeo.  The website gives the owner the rights to the video.  YouTube, on the other hand, gives the owner rights to the video as well as to YouTube themselves.  This doesn't mean that all of my content will be uploaded on Vimeo.  The YouTube content is specifically for modeling and panorama projects.  You can find my account following this link.  https://vimeo.com/user10665955

New updates and posts

Its been a while since I posted something on this blog.  Here are the updates so far for each of the projects.

-The City Hall model that I'm currently working on hasn't been touched since the last time I posted.  I may find some time eventually to finish the rest of it.

-The aerial photographs that I'm planning to do may be changed.  The reason why is because I think I may have some issues in regards to windy conditions, expensive equipment, and lack of time.  If there is a way I can ride in a passenger plane to take photos, I may look into doing so.

-The three-building model that I was working on a while back was actually the Lincolnville Motel that I was secretly working on.  I haven't worked on it since my last posting of it on the blog.

Those are the things that is going on currently with those projects.  The other projects, such as Oak Street school also hasn't been touched.  I would like to finish those models, but I lack the time and energy to do so.  Hopefully when it warms off and the semester starts winding down, I can start working on the models a bit more.

I have a project that I'm meaning to work on editing, which was a recording of a certain 'event' that happened back in October.  I won't say much about it, but I'll post an image that may spark some interests.  It was taken from the newspaper's website and I managed to get into the shot.

City Hall (WIP)

I'm currently working on a model of City Hall using photos that I had taken a few days ago.

Long time no see

Its been a while since I have been posting on this blog.  I've been busy with some school-related matters.  I hope everyone had a nice holiday break and New Years celebration.

You're probably wondering what I have planned for 2012.  I have a few ideas of what is in store for this year, as well as trying a couple of new ideas.  One of the new ideas is creating aerial video of the city using a video camera and a remote control helicopter.  There isn't many (or probably no) aerial footage of the city.  I'm currently looking into finding a decent enough helicopter that can help with the process.

Working on a new project

I noticed something for quite some time whenever I search for a business on Google Maps.  There doesn't appear to be any detailed images showing the businesses.  I decided that I should not only create maps of the buildings, but also upload images with my 18 megapixel camera to help create some realism for the user to see.

I've done one in the past with my phone camera, but the quality isn't as decent as my main camera.
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/NE7ippXu0dR9ScCdR7GP15YFMDEX9XGIMKPogM20Siw?hl=en-US

As a side note, please visit my DeviantArt page for more images!
http://vernancelet.deviantart.com/

My next project

Here is an image of my next project.  I obtained some information of a mini blueprint of the group of buildings.

Busy like a bee

I've been very busy for the past month.  I'm currently taking classes at SCC, including doing some work for the club.  I've been also going to meetings.

I'm planning to work on my next building project sometime soon.

Town is planning to pave down part of Mill Dam Road for a bicycle route and nature corner

The city is planning to build a new center and bicycle route down in Mill Dam Road.  Because the Starrs Cave Center is owned by the state and not city, they are wanting to build a new one in order for the city to own it.  They also want to build a large road leading to this center.  Problem is that there are houses there that have been there for more than 40 years and that it wouldn't be in much use because of how far back it is in there.  The city cannot afford with building something like that.  Many of the people in the area are pissed off with the situation and the person who is ahead of the deal is one of the supervisors at Starrs Cave.  The project suppose to start either 2012 or 2013.

Update:  I was told that they have been trying to convince the entire area to do this for the past 6 years.  The big problem is that they could vote on kicking everyone out regardless if they didn't want it or not.  It reminds me of the time when the city tore down the entire Manor area in order to sell the land to a company to build a mini mall, even though they changed their minds in building it there.  The lot is still empty and the asbestos is still there on the property ever since the buildings were torn down.

I wonder if the cause was that the property tax is high and the city has strict rules that buildings have to apply to.  After all, union businesses are excluded out of property taxes, like Wal-Mart.

What the city and Starrs Cave center should concentrate on is the agent orange that is in both the cave, the water, and in areas around Skunk River.  Agent Orange isn't something people want to mess with and it shouldn't be ignored.

Burlington Mixing Company building is complete; problems with it

Well, the model is complete.  However, its too big to upload to warehouse.  So instead, I uploaded the file in this link for you to see yourselves.

Because of these errors of file size of being too big, I decided to reduce the detail of my next models, but at the same time have some form of detail added.

Sketchup file

Light poles at SCC now available on Google Earth

All but one layer of lights have been added into Google Earth layer.  That particular layer are the lights that are located in between the two dorm rooms.

Article about my work in todays newspaper

In section 3C, there is an article published about me and my work.  It's in The Hawkeye Newspaper.
You can also read the article on the website as well. 

http://www.thehawkeye.com/story/Faces-082111

Added next piece to building; Information about light pole models at SCC

I'm almost halfway done in finishing the model.  I'm having edges pushed both in and out of the model to add more detail to it.  This is an experiment.

Also, I received a couple of notices stating that the light pole models do not exist (as a building model).  I think its like that because the system hasn't been updated to accept models of trees, benches, lights, etc.  Anyway, I received an email from Sketchup after I filed an appeal, saying that they reversed their decision.

The Hawk Eye interview; WIP of my next building

Yesterday, I had an interview from The Hawk Eye in regards of my model making.  I also had some images taken of myself and my laptop showing one of my models as a display.  The article would be published in the paper this Sunday.

On my way back home, I came across to this particular building.

I took some photos of around the building in hopes to create a model out of it.  I'm using new techniques in showing more detail of a building.