Howdy, i decided to go the hard route and install a spiral staircase. Problem is the contractors are having an issue with making the stairs.
(http://i39.tinypic.com/1zxp8a0.png)
I can't get the left side to look right, after the third redraw i figured someone more awesome could maybe help?
Since I'm pretty sure the 2 sets of steps are copy pasted, so I'm gonna talk what to do for them individually and then duplicate. And I'm assuming your trouble is with the left part of the drawing?
Have you tried making the eye height be in the middle of the stairs (where they're the closest/vertical to the camera)? Cause right now it seems the stairs are at eye height at the 8th or 9th step from the top and not where the stairs are closest to the camera. It'll probably make the stairs look more boring but maybe it'll give you some indication what to do. You can always do that then slightly raise the side that's facing the column in the middle.
Second thing, the stairs look like they're separated from the column and, if that is so, the upper part should maybe even have a hole below it, although then the stairs will be left hanging in the air, so you should decide if they're attached to the column and how.
If you don't want them to seem like they're connected to the column, then they should be cut off where the steps are paralel to the camera on the left and right, but you're showing their sides.
The biggest issue for me is the circumference of the central column. Spiral staircases usually have a narrow column so they fit into a small space. These stairs take up so much space that a normal staircase would seem more likely.
Good points, i've tried to fix it a little. I think the right side looks better now. Still, drawing the left stairs is a pain.
(http://i42.tinypic.com/2hofbbn.png)
In this situation, I'd probably cheat and trace a 3d model:
(http://i.imgur.com/m9GZE.jpg)
This is not a very realistic spiral staircase, and I just realised that this is spiralling the opposite way, sorry. But it does show that your drawing is missing the underside of the steps as they come around the column.
@Chicky: yeah, that looks better, but the stairs need to go around right after the middle point/stair, the one that's vertical to the camera. But yeah, I'm bad at drawing things, I'd trace a 3d model.
@Ali: just make the instanced stair double the height so that other half is a triangle and it'll look nice, at least without textures. Then it's easy to thicken them as much as needed.
Sorry anian, I don't follow. What do you mean "double the height so that other half is a triangle"?
Perspective is also an issue. If two or more flights are supposed to look the same (for laziness or walkable area reasons), perspective has to go out the window. It can still look really good, of course; but the 3D model needs to be rendered in parallel projection mode in that case.
My god Ali, you are a lifesaver. That is super handy. Thanks for taking the time to make that render. I think that will work fine, but maybe a render in parallel will give a different result?
Actually, that third one looks fairly spot on. I'm a little drunk though, which doesn't help, at all.
Here's an orthographic projection. Hope it helps!
(http://i.imgur.com/5yDdW.jpg)
That's perfect, thanks Ali. I now think the previous projection works better, but it's good to be able to have the choice.
I'm going to pick this back up tomorrow, sleep etc. Will post an update when i have one.
Quote from: Ali on Wed 21/12/2011 01:11:21
Sorry anian, I don't follow. What do you mean "double the height so that other half is a triangle"?
Yeah, I guess I shouldn't be writing stuff at 2 am. ;D
So I meant this, first the box and instance it via array, then use the points of one instance and snap vertex to adjust the shape:
(http://i.imgur.com/9GJNC.png) (http://i.imgur.com/egJh9.png) (http://i.imgur.com/g3tHj.png)
It's been ages so i figured i'd show where i'm at with this. I'm really not happy with it, it doesn't have the same character as my other locations, it's functional but hardly polished.
I'm really not a fan of the way i've tried to light it, i've overlaid a layer of shadow at 66% transparency, with varying levels of grey. It's something i've not used before and looks messy. I like clean pixels and a low colour count, with one colour anti-alias where needed (like the steps).
The bottom of the image is crap, need's a rethink. Sorry about the copy pasta, i wanted the bg to be longer and i think it works.
(http://i42.tinypic.com/b656oj.png)
The torches are placeholder and would be animated, as would the lighting. The steps also need an underside, like in Anian's render.
Just an update really, it's far from finished. Advice on how to go about lighting it would be useful, i'm going for a cartoony feel.
Also colour - grey is boring, any advice?
Looks good, I can't imagine trying to point and click up those steps though! :o
this looks great. But wouldn't it be better if you add a brick texture to the center cylinder as well? ...and perhaps sandstone effect to the steps?
also, I'm not pretty sure but if those stairs lead underground it would look amazing in brown and show roots/skeletons in the cut sections...
It looks nice. I did notice that the central column leans slightly on the second level and very dramatically at the top. For lighting, I'd darken the part that is supposed to be in cross-section, as well as the sides of the steps facing camera (which are supposed to be in the wall).