Rockwell’s Candies - My Personal Checklist

A PERSONAL APPROACH TO 3D MODEL EVALUATION

Almost daily I spend a bit of time to examine and evaluate 3D warehouse models - churches, buildings and monuments etc. I find this activity is particularly exciting because I can know new interesting models and modelers and new challenging technical or artistical solutions.

In this first article about evaluation I put aside some of my thoughts which I gave the name of Checklist and that I wanted to associate to two things for me - and hopefully for you - very pleasing: the Sweets and the beautiful, tender, spirit and humorous Paintings by the great American artist Norman Rockwell.

Norman Percevel Rockwell (New York City February 3, 1894 – Stockbridge, Massachusetts November 8, 1978) was a 20th-century American painter and illustrator. His works enjoy a broad popular appeal in the United States, where Rockwell is most famous for the cover illustrations of everyday life scenarios he created for The Saturday Evening Post magazine over more than four decades. (from WikipediA)



You can see the Rockwell's Candies model at 3D warehouse
You can see my video of Rockwell's Candies at YouTube



KEY ASPECTS

I think it is important to initially assess a 3D model for what it is, namely for its characteristics, without taking into account the boundary conditions of those who, when or why it was done so on. These last aspects, however, can be often not irrelevant, but I try to use them only at a later.



The main aspects closely related to the model are the substance (geometry), the form (colors and textures) and the artistic inspiration, ie how the geometry, the colors, the textures intregrate each other and can be able to represent the spirit of the modeled object.

The other aspects, here named social aspects, concern the modeler that produced the model and, more generally, the whole environment of 3D warehouse.

My personal checklist consists of 35 items (Sweets) – 23 covering the first three main aspects and 12 related to the fourth aspect. Each point may be, from time to time, a task, a policy, a trick or simply a thought…

 Section A - MODEL EVALUATION (Aspects I, II, III)

click on a silver foil to see more about the picture see the complete collection of Rockwell's Candies!
A1..A6 - Preliminary checks on the contents of the model
A1. PROCEED SLOWLY The rush is a bad counselor. As I said above, almost daily I’m looking in 3D warehouse for new models in order to evalute them later. I try to examine a model as carefully as possible, in relation to its complexity. I'm looking for models that interest me, that say me something... I express a mental opinion and put them by the bookmarks I called VOTE! and then periodically (about three of four times a month) I revisit them and eventually evalutate with stars and formal review.	A2. EVALUATE THE MODEL Initially, I focus only on the model and its features, trying not to think about modeler (in some cases well know) that produced it, or about other similar models, or what alternatives could have been implemented to solve some parts of model. I try to make me first a dispassionate assessment - and it’s not so easy...
A3. FIRST THE ARCHITECTURE The geometry is the first basic element of a 3D model, and should examine carefully loading the model in SketchUp and removing the colors with View> Faces Style> Monochrome or using Xray Mode. I verify that the architecture is well defined, error-free or without more or less noticeable imperfections such as mirror or radial asymmetries - except, of course, very special cases, where these exceptions are required by fidelity to the original!	A4. SECOND THE TEXTURES The colors and textures are the second basic element, and must be examined carefully at different distances, from near and far, and even resorting to the panel of Materials. When I see textures very well done I always wonder how I could get to like... in some cases I export on my PC some textures to better examine them, and hoping to steal some useful secre!
A5. THIRD THE DETAILS Although it is often delicious zooming in on a 3D model to distinguish more and more detail, I consider the details, especially architectural, a double-edged sword. It is not always true that “more details make the model more beautiful and expressive”. In some cases too many details can be confusing and make the structure less readable, or excessively cumbersome the model. An important… detail: the details must be significant!	A6. FOURTH THE ACCURACY Accuracy, precision and continuity. Accuracy in arrangement and the juxtaposition of textures, such as the eaves on the corners of buildings that must be consistent, at the same height; the windows must not be truncated at the half, the patterns must not be broken… Precision in detail definition, as the capitals of the columns, cornices or projections of the roof, terrain interface with Google Earth… Continuity, ie constancy and consistency in the implementation of objects or similar parts, eg chimneys, cupolas, steps…
A7..A13 - Beware...
A7. BEWARE THE SLOVENLINESS! Making models for me is a technical and aesthetic activity at the same time: a model is a bit as a painting, that should be done with love. Sometimes I examine models that seem pulled down, made not only hastily but sloppy with errors and howlers due not so to incompetence in modeling tecnique but - say – to the lack of love ... It would be better to make a few models - but good ...	A8. BEWARE THE LAZINESS I try to look into the models, even when they were created by well-known and talented modelers. But sometimes “…quandoque bonus dormitat Homerus…” - even the great Homer dozes… - and so does not match some model - and then I do not feel compelled to give it my vote!
A9. BEWARE THE DISTORSIONS There are various types of distortions: in the proportions of the entire composition, in some parts of the architecture, in some detail (typically statues, ornaments), in textures (mainly due to perspective deformations). It is true that perfection doesn’t exist…, and we often have to deal with the difficulty of finding of good photos, but in some cases, excessive deformations compromise the model quality.	A10. BEWARE THE WRONG TEXTURES I define five categories of wrong textures: TOO DIRTY 1. too low quality: too light, too dark, not decipherable … 2. spilled: contaminated by foreign materials (road signs, cars, trees) that are not according to the resto of the model 3. distorted: too distorted by the perspective that create too much ambiguity and confusion TOO POLISHED 4. standard: too perfect since standardized 5. not seamless: creating repetitive, irrelevant and annoying patterns
A11. BEWARE THE FAÇADE SYNDROME! Some 3D models have what I define the Façade Syndrome of Hollywood Syndrome: a beautiful façade, painted with a single texture of perhaps flashy high quality ... but everything stops there. If the building has only one visible face, I'm glad to see it made one beautiful textures trompe l'oeil ... (instead of the model I can look at a beautiful photograph ...) but I hope to find interesting architectural reliefs. If, however, has other interesting side, I expect that - in addition to the findings of the main facade - the other sides are carried out in a credible and decent and not filled with simple color or texture is not seamless and standardized riptetive. Unfortunately some models stop only at the façade!	A12. BEWARE THE UNNECESSARY WEIGHT! In my opinion a good model should have a weight consistent with its features, with the complexity of its architecture and the quality of its textures – I consider each overweight an annoying construction defect, which although doesn't compromise the aesthetic aspect anyway restricts the manageability of the model with unneccessary weight and complexity. To reduce weight without sacrificing texture quality tyou can real my article Optimizing Textures in the Tutorial Section of this Blog.
A13. NOT UNIQUELY IN GOOGLE EARTH! The modelers can include models in 3D warehouse without making available the *.skp files - this makes more difficult (or impossible) to load it in SketchUp for a full examination. I do not like these models because I’m forced to examine them - only partially - in Google Earth. But I must admit that there are some such models very well made and that we must consider good!
A14..A20 - Reward...
A14. REWARD THE GOOD STRUCTURE! A good, strong structure is a desirable feature for a 3D model. A solid approach, understood both in terms of architecture (as articulation of the various parts of a building: body, coverings, domes, etc.), that in terms of textures (as coherence amongst themself and consistency between textures and the various parts of the architecture) gives the model a pleasant and reassuring professional appearance.	A15. REWARD THE TRANSPARENCY! I am inclined to like models that can be easily inspected and that are well documented. I appreciate for example that the model provides a URL for documentation (historic infos, plants, photos) very useful especially when the building is not universally know. I also give much value to a technical well designed and robust approach, such as layers presence, well structured and named groups and components, well named textures…
A16. REWARD THE GOOD TEXTURES! A good texture must be clear, clean, saturated in the right level, without disturbing elements, consistent with other textures of the model, properly sized in terms of kbytes ... It seems easy to obtain and apply good textures, but it is perhaps one of the hardest things. I admire and reward models with excellent textures!	A17. REWARD THE PLAINNESS! A model should be a good model without necessarily being complicated. Each model should be as simple as possible consistently with the structure and the characteristics of the represented object. There are models that appear simple and spontaneous, even when the represented buildings are complex and elaborated... To discover this secret we must see them up close and groped to understand the secret of their apparent simplicity!
A18. REWARD THE IMAGINATION! Sometimes I come across in a model adopting the solutions that I've never seen before: then I try to understand how the modeler has achieved this good result, and I also try to think in such cases I could implement the same solutions - anyway I try to make it a treasure for the future... It is worth rewarding that model and writing a positive review!	A19. REWARD THE SCENES! There are some interesting features of SketchUp that can be very useful for the model visitors: one is the Scenes mode that allows us to see the model from different points of view with a simple click, or enjoying a real-time animation... This function is almost indispensable - and most acceptable - when the model is very articulated and detailed even in indoor environments.
A20. REWARD THE “MADE WITH LOVE”! It's difficult to grasp the peculiarity of the made with love models... but when we look at one of these models, perhaps not perfect from a technical standpoint, there is spontaneous the thought “This model must have been much loved by its author” which is having worked a long time, trying to put a part of himself into those building, those church particularly dear to him…
A21..A23 - Towards perfection...
A21. PERFECTLY IN TUNE! (HARMONY) When everyone in a choir sings his part perfectly in tune and all the parts are perfectly synergic, then the listener is enchanted and captivated from those wonderful harmony… The same thing happens in a model when architecture blends with colors and textures, when the viewer is still admired by the whole model but also by all its details…	A22. GENIUS LOCI… Another small miracle happens when the model is not only perfectly in tune inside but also give us the precise idea and atmosphere of a particular place represented, causing the same sensation we felt if we were really in those place. Look carefully at the masterpiece of this Sweet: What better than this painting can recreate the environment of the room and the mysterious back room of the barbershop ... don’t we believe to hear the sounds of the instruments, to warn the heat of the stove? Rockwell has captured the Genius Loci!
A23. MORE THEN A 3D PHOTO… This tender painting of this Sweet confirm me that the great painting of Rockwell can tell us a lot more than a photograph - and likewise I believe that a great 3D model can express much more than a photographic 3D model. I appreciate, especially from a technical standpoint, the perfect 3D reconstructions of monuments presented also in 3D warehouse, and I admire the models rich in architectural details very precisely and realistically reconstructed, but here I must express my instinctive preference toward the models perhaps a bit more streamlined but more fresh and spontaneous, wich can better captur - at least for the performances in SketchUp and Google Earth - the Genius Loci!

 Section B - SOCIAL ASPECTS (Aspect IV)

B1..B6 - Beware...
B1. BEWARE ANONYMOUS! Become a member of 3D warehouse is easy and... absolutely free - just fill in the fields of a form and send to, there will be no credit card required! Once registered, you can rightfully make all user activities, include models in 3D warehouse, demand and obtain for them acceptance in Google Earth, make evaluations at your leisure… There are no limits! A user can also choose to write a profile, providing his own characteristics and addresses of his sites and his web activities. Personally I prefer the users who have a convincing profile, with a short presentation of themselves and their sites - and I tend to distrust those anonymous, maybe with a cryptic or esoteric user name...	B2. BUT IS IT FLOUR OF HIS BUG!? Every time you see in 3D warehouse a new beautiful model, which you immediately want to assign a beautiful evaluation. In fact, many generous colleagues instantly release their generous evaluations (perhaps of the type '--', ie without words). Carrying out an investigation a bit accurate (see other Sweets of this section) you may find that this model, as they say in Italy, “non è farina del suo sacco” (“it is not flour of his bag”) ie is not something that belongs to him...
B3. CONSIDER THE OTHER MODELS Before giving an assessment to a model of a modeler that I don’t know I always go to see the history of his other models, and examine them in chronological order. This investigation makes me see if there is an evolution in his style, and also reveals how long he works for making a model (as a rough approximately the time between the publications of two models) - there are modelers slow, fast... And sometimes I discover interesting or strange things!	B4. LOOK AT THE PREVIOUS EVALUATIONS Another interesting survey carried out before giving my assessment, or writing my review, is that about the ratings previously issued for a model from other modelers of 3D warehouse. This survey does not make me change the opinion I had about the model, but in some cases may mean that I do not vote more for the model, or vote for it expressing my opinion with different words.
B5. CONSIDER THE OTHER MODELERS You see here a close group of friends very well together. With friends we are right, we pass the happy moments, friends help us in times of need, they are ready to hel us and we are ready to help them. By analyzing the evaluations in 3D warehouse you can get informations and signals on circles of friends. Friendship is a wonderful thing in everyday life and also in 3D warehouse - but the friendship should not obscure the objectivity of the evaluations!	B6. FEELING IGNORED Some modelers - also very talented - are silent, working their models and never expressing their opinions. Others are very reserved and rarely express their evaluations and reviews toward the models of a few other modelers. Everyone has a conscience (albeit subjective) of the value of his own works within a certain entourage, and - frankly - being ignored in certain cases doesn’t encourage a clear relationship.
B7..B12 - Promote...
B7. RIGHT THE WRONGS! Poor, have stepped on the foot! (the others are watching and giggling ...) But I, being a Don Quijote, I want to repair the wrongs and protect the oppressed ... Beyond metaphor: when I see a good model with a clearly unfair (to say the least) evaluation, I try to give its Author my comfort highlighting its positive features!	B8. NOT PASS THE MERMAIDS! He caught a beautiful mermaid and not even noticing ...! has not looked good, probably thinks it is a swordfish or tuna ...! Carelessness? Sometimes the users of 3D warehouse pretend not to notice that a stunning original new model appeared there before their eyes, perhaps produced by a new modeler... None - or very few - want to admit its value, rewarding it with a positive assessment, with a favourable review!
B9. LEND A HAND! Sometimes I see some interesting models but showing some ingenuity, or inattention, which decreases their value. I too have received from colleagues several alerts about my models, that help me to solve certain defects. Mindful of these episodes, I try to give a hand with a positive evaluation but highlighting the areas for improvement - in some cases I send the Author a private message in which I give my point of view and some advice.	B10. MAINTAIN CONSISTENCY! He doesn’t know to wich sister give his flower, and his life ...! certain that his choice is very difficult...But if they were two models I would have not doubt: would give the same evaluation for both! Instead it happens very often that some people give a good mark to the pleasant sister and do not give any vote (or even a bad grade) to his more pleasant sister...
B11. HELP NEW ENTRIES! SketchUp popularized 3D modeling and every day new modelers show their work in the showcase of 3D warehouse... I personally am ready to welcome them with open arms, and to reward their early models, if they come with dignity and care. Sometimes - like all first works - theu are not fully mature, and manifest various uncertainties in setting or finishing, but certainly worth an encouragement!	B12. REWARD THE BOLD! I want to shut these Sweets with a witty and ironic picture: a zoo keeper who challenges calmly, as if nothing had happened, the ferocious king of the jungle! So some modelers - even novice - almost unconsciously face the most difficult attempts, perhaps with not too exciting results - but at least they show a lot of courage (maybe indicating new solutions…) and perhaps worth a reward!

I am well aware that My Personal Checklist is really… personal, ie subjective, and probably will not be shared by all players - but I hope that my reflections together with the beautiful pictures of Rockwell have been stimulant and hopefully or at least... Sweet!

if you agree - or even if you don't agree with  my vision, please use the COMMENT area to make remarks or comments and to share your personal approach!