QE2 Rendering

[DGM]

Hi,

Over the course of a few years I developed a small portfolio of detailed ship renderings (mostly ships with personal/historical significance).  This came about as a by-product of my work which involves a lot of technical drafting and reverse engineering.  Over the last two months I developed a QE2 rendering, and with quite a bit of help from the information found in this forum.  I thought it was time I shared the end result with you. I can't think of a better group to critique it.

-Darren

[Barrie Evans]

Hi Darren. Is that a drawing you have done of the Q E 2 ?  Im not sure what a rendering is. I take it is something you have studied . If you have drawn it I think that it is fantastic. Well done! Sorry for my ignorance about rendering.
How long did it take you to draw the Q E 2, and is it possible to get a copy of it

In friendship
Barrie

[DGM]

Hi Barrie,

It is a good question you are asking.  I think what a sets a 'rendering' apart from a 'drawing' are the artistic embellishments of shadows, hull paint, and the use of differing line weights to create the illusion of depth.  If you were to take those elements out it would look very much like an ordinary outboard profile drawing. 

I'm attaching an example of a outboard profile that I found on the interwebs to give you a sense of how the two differ.

As far as getting a copy, yes absolutely.  I am working with a local shop to get prints on mylar film.  Once I have a grasp on what the costs are I will follow up and let you know.
 

[Lynda Bradford]

Hello Darren

What a talent you have to be able to do something as fantastic as this.  Like Barrie I did not know that rendering was so thank you for the explanation. 

Thank-you also for sharing.   

[Peter Mugridge]

Absolutely top rate; may I ask how big it is?

[DGM]

Thanks Peter,

The full size master measures 34" (86.36 cm) wide x 11" (27.94 cm) tall

[Peter Mugridge]

That's a decent size; it must have taken you a very long time to do?

[DGM]

I didn't keep track of all the hours spent, but it took somewhere between 2 - 3 months.  Mind you, even though this is done 'by hand' as it were the media is entirely digital.  I've done drawings of this size by hand on paper before. But when you invest 2 - 3 months it's an awful lot of value that can be ruined by simply spilling your coffee on it (I'll tell you that story sometime.... uggg).  Rest assured, there is nothing 'automated' about these renderings.
 
I'm developing a website where I can demonstrate the process and put up a gallery.   There is quite a bit of work that you don't get to see in the finished product.

[Bob C.]

DGM,
   Outstanding job and thanks for sharing!  I particularly like the unshaded drawing as it highlights the various shell doors along the ship's side.

[QE2forever]

Beautiful job, DGM. Congratulations!

Having done the colour renderings of all six Cunard Queens using what seems to be a similar technique to yours, I confirm this is definetely a «handmade job». Although the computer is used as a tool, nothing is automated and every part, every shadow, every reflection has to be manually drawn, put together and coloured - I'd say a bit like a model kit.

Don't want to be too technical here but what software are you using?

My renderings are vector objects made with Free Hand 10. As such there's no limitation in resolution and they could be reproduced on a canvas as large as the original ship if wished.

I'll be interested to see your website when completed.

[DGM]

Thanks very much QE2forvever.  Your piece is quite remarkable.  I use a combination of software, but it finished product is predominantly made AutoCAD.  The part that you don't see is the 3D modeling of the hull and superstructure.  For this I use a program called Rhinocerous (very popular in the marine industry). 

I've just started a rendering of the Rotterdam and you can see how this process begins in these two photographs.

[Lynda Bradford]

Very interesting topic.  I would love to hear more about your work. Also looking forward to seeing your web site.  Keep us informed.

[QE2forever]

Thanks for the details, DGM.

I'm not very familiar with 3D renderings, but if I understand well you could generate images of QE2 seen from different angles?

Well, our techniques aren't so similar after all. My drawings are in two dimensions only.