3D models of Coventry

I've been assured by the BBC CWR producer he's on just after 2pm Helen

Very interesting. It's amazing how many people are hooked by Coventry's past and want to rebuild her.

Thanks for letting us know NY, good listening, it will be amazing when he completes the whole city centre. If only some interior photos existed, I want to go for a pint in the Royal Vaults.

Beers would be on me Osmiroid I know what you mean - there have been some tantalising images in places such as Butcher Row of shops where I would have loved to have peeped inside. Annewiggy helped me before with the only known shot I have seen inside The Kings Head in its final years (1937).

That's a great find, thanks for showing it, and thanks Anne

Hi all, It's Pete - the one making the model. It's really great to read all of your messages and so glad to know you like what I'm trying to do. I'll try my best to give you a first look at what's coming up with the model. I've recently been given permission by Boots to use their logo for the shop they had in Broadgate - had to make sure I wasn't in breach of any copyright. So the next film I am planning will be down Broadgate to the Market then Market Street out onto Smithford Street. I'm focused on the 1890s at the moment, mainly due to all the wooden framed buildings which are a challenge to model - no straight lines! If there are any details with the model which you spot which aren't right, please let me know, be as picky as you can. I already know some of the shop fronts in Hertford Street aren't right. Please feel free to ask me anything, or if you have any suggestions or particular views you would like to see I'll do my best to provide them. All the best Pete

Hi Pete. Your model looks fantastic. Seeing the old city emerge from the photos is magical. Makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end. I'm very much a beginner using modelling software although I'm hoping to do something similar to you but from 1610 to 1650ish so I can get in the wall and gates. I'm working on techniques to get the irregularity of the old buildings but I'm still collecting textures and trying to build simple model components. I'm using Blender and Unity and while the latter was relatively straightforward, Blender is a pig to use. My gothic arches have been embarrassingly lumpy so far but my leaded diamond glass looks just right. I was looking enviously at your model of the old cathedral. Very cool. It's a whole new language of tris, verts, bumped diffuse, decals, etc. If my model is a fraction as good as yours I'll be happy. Looking forward to the next instalment

Hi Pete, and welcome This is really exciting news, and I'm sure I'm right in saying we are all looking forward to seeing the developments. Oh dear, Helen, that sounds painful! Seriously, your ongoing project is exciting as well, and alongside Pete's, will provide such a wonderful insight into Coventry's past

Well MR they won't be supporting my flying buttresses that's for sure and they'd make very saggy vaults.

Great to see you here Pete Neil here that emailed you. Looking forward to further work! If I can make a request - I'd love to see the area around Butcher Row / Trinity Lane / Derby Lane replicated Nothing worse than a saggy vault Helen

Hi all, I need some help!! I've been contacting various people and places to make sure I have full permission to use the old photographs (it seems copyright of photographs is extremely complex!). I have been collecting books on Coventry for a while and have recently got hold of a Book (via ebay) - Coventry in the 1930s & 40s A collection of Photographs selected by Deborah Keene printed in 1988. Some of the images in the book I have not seen before in any other archive. I've tracked down the publisher who no longer exists, but the printer is still in business and may hold the original art work (including the photos!!). Does anyone know of Deborah Keene? (Coventry City Librarian from 1980 to at least 1988?) I have emailed the library to see if anyone can remember Deborah (or if she still works there). Other contributors include: Mrs H. Castle, Mrs S. Bracewell, Mrs G Chaston, Coventry Photographic Society (are they still about?) and Mills & Rockely. Does anyone know them, of them? Or where their photographs may have ended up (other than with the printers)? I understand this is a long shot but just want to make sure I don't cause any problems - especially as the photographs are so interlaced with the films they would be impossible to extract without redoing the whole clip. I've also contacted WH smith, Marks & Spencer and The Coventry Telegraph for permission and to see if they have any hidden images in their archives. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated. And Helen I admire anyone who can work with Blender - its like pulling teeth! but the results can be spectacular! Have you tried using sketchup?

Link to Coventry Photographic Society

Hi Coventry Rebuilt, I considered using Sketchup but must have found the wrong version because I downloaded a 30 day trial, which expired before I got started Success with Blender is slow because there are so many things to learn. I keep doing a bit and then watching some videos. Each time a bit more makes sense and sticks.

There is a free SketchUp version which starts out as a 30day trial of SketchUp Pro. At the end of it they ask if you want to pay for the Pro version. You just say no and carry on using the free one. I've been using it for a few years now.

Thanks AD, I may have to try it if I don't work out how to apply textures properly to my objects in Blender.