Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with modelling

A splinter for my mind's eye

a non e mouse — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 15:29:27 -0800

Looking for some architecture/3D modelling tools to help visualise a home/internal renovation. I'm finding it increasingly difficult to imagine all the variables, functions and flows for designing our new kitchen - ideally something that is free (or at least cheap), but as featured as possible for a reasonably adept graphics oriented person to use.

OK, so strike a pose I guess?

chrisbucks — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 05:51:54 -0800

Where can I find some good resources about modelling and directing models, for photographers? I'm a self taught photographer, and have just landed myself a few shoots with a local street wear company, although I've realised one thing... I have no idea how to tell the models what I want, or actually I don't even know what would be a good pose for them to do. Occasionally I demonstrate myself what I think would be good, but would love some kind of guide or help understand what would be the best way to direct people. Resources on the web would be most appreciated but books will do as well.

IPCC/RCM climate data

allelopath — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 17:29:48 -0800

Need IPCC/RCM climate data. I am looking for climate data from IPCC 2007 for RCM (Regional Climate Models). I am told there are about 20 model runs. I need scalar data of precipitation (as a multiplier) and temperature (+/-) for the southwestern US. The data may be here somewhere: http://www.ipcc-data.org/, but I'm not finding it.

Regular triangulation of irregular mesh.

signal — Tue, 15 May 2007 07:20:50 -0800

Given a three dimensional triangular mesh M, composed of irregularly sized triangles, is there a program, plugin¹ or algorithm that will create a new mesh M' with the same overall shape as M but with regularly sized triangles (i.e.:all triangles having similar sizes)? 1: For 3dsMax, Rhino, etc. I realize that it's not possible to have all the triangles be exactly the same size and could accept a small variation, say about 10-20%. I also realize that some detail of M will be lost but could also accept that.

How should I learn to sculpt?

agropyron — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 14:23:04 -0800

I'd like to learn to sculpt. Where should I start? Books: I've gotten several books from the library and they've whetted my appetite, but none seemed like a good introduction to sculpture. Does anyone here have a recommendation for a sculpture book?

Spatial thinking: It seems clear that sculpture is all about thinking spatially and understanding lines and forms. I haven't been very good at this kind of thing in the past. Any recommendations for activities that will help me improve? If I'm a spacial dunce, should I just give up?

Materials: I bought some modelling clay. Seems like it'd be good practice for working with forms and shapes. Since I'd like to eventually carve wood and stone, I'll want to graduate to something where I carve away from a block of material to form a shape. Is wax good for that? Any other suggestions?

Classes: I've checked around and all the local sculpture classes seem to be advanced, and seem to focus on the techniques of working with various materials. Is there a different type of class I should be looking for that might be more of what I need?

(Googling this topic came up with some semi-helpful links, but most of them dealt specifically with modelling the human form and focused on learning anatomy and stuff. I'm not interested in starting with the human form; to keep it simple I'd like to deal with abstract shapes and maybe some animals for now.)

I want my hands to make love to the camera

barrakuda — Fri, 22 Sep 2006 05:55:18 -0800

Last night a friend remarked that I have beautiful hands. I have heard that before from many people. Inspired by vodka, the two of us decided that my lifetime calling is to become a hand model... the problem is: how does one become a hand model? So if any of you have any experience in the domain could you throw some light on the mysterious world of hand-modelling... note, i am not quitting my day job yet.

How much of a game is modelling?

sneebler — Wed, 16 Aug 2006 19:48:04 -0800

We need a quick introduction to the world of teen modelling. My friend's 15 year-old daughter has been "scouted" a couple of times, and he's not sure how seriously to take their recommendations, invitations to Milan etc. - all at the parent's expense. His daughter seems like a sensible kid (to me), and so far hasn't been particularly enthusiastic except for the opportunity for a bit of fun or a trip somewhere. He's wondering how much of this is for real, and when the games are going to start. Anyone know how this works, or have experience with teen models in the house?

Need Landscape CAD

signal — Thu, 30 Mar 2006 12:08:53 -0800

CAD for 3d sitework recomendations, please. I need to do the following: from an existing 2d siteplan, including contours, roads, lots and house-pads, as well as the elevation of each element, create a 3d model of the whole shebang. I need to do cut and fill analysis of the lots and pads, as well as generate longitudinal and transversal sections of everything.
I have been trying to do this with Civil 3d 2006, but find it (as par for Autodesk) buggy, inconsistent, with hidden 'features' 5 or 6 menu levels down and generally an unpleasant fellow to deal with. I have tried Vectorworks but it seems too basic for what I'm looking for. I thought of Land Desktop, but it doesn't seem to do grading to a feature line at all, only to a contour (I would gladly be proved wrong on this).
I need an application which will let me at the very least:
1- modify existing contours with a proposed road, given its centerline and spot elevations.
2- model the surface of lots and building pads, given spot elevations (the lots themselves will be graded, and the pads on top of that).
3- generate sections of everything.
4- calculate cut/fill and total retaining-wall areas.

I know quite a bit of CAD and do not mind using 6 different programs to acomplish this, but am a bit stumped right now.

Animal Builder

cgs — Fri, 10 Mar 2006 11:28:00 -0800

beginner 3d modelling program? here's my goal:

1. model simple animal shapes (a hammerhead shark, for instance)
2. be able to rotate and view the model from different angles
3. add some simple articulation (swimming motion)

ideally for mac, but i can do it at work if there is a great program for windows... animation would be nice, but not necessary.

thanks for your help!
-cgs

Question re: statistics and financial modelling

stuehler — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 18:19:05 -0800

Question about semi-sophisticated statistics and financial modeling - lets say you have N asset classes - each class has a mean rate of return and a standard deviation of returns. Also, assume you hold a portfolio comprised entirely of these N asset-classes, in certain proportions. How do you determine the probability that the portfolio might produce the a certain rate of return over P periods?

decision tree maker software?

Kwantsar — Thu, 22 Sep 2005 15:14:28 -0800

The best free or supercheap decision tree software? I don't have a lot of time to learn to use it, and I'll need it (probably) for only a few weeks, so ease of use is more important than features. A nice-looking output is a bonus.

Help me name an urban modelling application.

signal — Sun, 17 Jul 2005 09:21:14 -0800

Help me name an urban modelling application. I am working on an application that generates a 3d model based on a given urban area (streets, blocks, lots) and its zoning laws (maximum height, lot/total area ratios, sunlight angles, etc.). The output is a 3d model showing examples of the buildings that could be built according to each lot’s geometry and applicable codes. Images taken from the 3d model and showing the process can be found here.
My partner and I have been invited to present our work at two conferences (this and this) and feel this is a good time to name the application, so it’s not “that thing that the two Chilean guys did, with the modeling and stuff”.
The work so far has been done within AutoCAD (using AutoLisp), but we will probably be moving it over to a standalone Python application.
The name could be in English or Spanish and should not be at all cute or punny.
Keywords: urban, modeling, simulation, city, parametric, algorithmic, procedural, system.