Virtual QE2 Model

[Michael Gallagher]

Not the best shots

[Bob C.]

Thanks Michael.  At least it’s a decent shot of the compass.  Will keep searching with web for the clock side and the controls.

[Rob Lightbody]

I Love that last photo!

Are they playing Top Trumps Liners?  I wonder which liner won.

[Bob C.]

It's been a while since I posted an update.  I haven't had much time to work on the model lately but here's a few glimpses of progress on the ceiling, bar area and Stairway A (for backdrop effect).

Next up is the linenfold wall.  I have some good photos of it but I'm trying to see if there is a pattern in the design.  If anybody recognizes or knows of one, please let me know.

Looking forward to adding accent lighting and rendering but not sure how long that will be.

[Bob C.]

Much to my disappointment, I haven't had much time to work on my virtual model in the last several months.  And, a long story made short, I have not been near the computer that has the software on it.  But I have ben looking at techniques and studying "mistakes" on the model that I have been making and am getting ready for a reattack on the model that should happen in a few weeks - when I am with my modeling computer again. 

Here is an example of the things I've been looking at for mistakes which is a comparison of the virtual with reality (thus the clever file name...lol!)

I very much look forward to sharing more progress with you sooner than later.

[Bob C.]

Happy New Year to all.  I am working on my virtual model again and have again run into a recurring problem with the dimensions of the rise (riser) and run (tread) of the steps in the stairways and am wondering if anyone can help.  The closest I can tell right now for Stairway's D and E, the rise is approximately 6 3/8 inches (16.2 cm) and the run is about 11 - 11 1/2 inches (27.9 - 29.1 cm).

The other problem I am having is the difference in the number of steps between decks between Stairway D and E.  All is good from 5 deck to 1 deck then it starts getting off by one or two steps from Q on up (D has more).  If anyone has an answer, I'd be happy to receive it!

I'm making the model in segments to keep the file sizes smaller and will eventually join the segments together.  As such, the deck levels must match which makes the number and height of steps crucial to success!

[Trevor Harris]

I love the work you've done with this model! Hopefully someday we'll be able to relive a voyage on her from our own computers.

[Bob C.]

The other problem I am having is the difference in the number of steps between decks between Stairway D and E.  All is good from 5 deck to 1 deck then it starts getting off by one or two steps from Q on up (D has more).  If anyone has an answer, I'd be happy to receive it!

Exciting news! (at least for me) The mystery of the extra steps is solved!  After several hours of looking at photos and videos today, I see now that all the numbers of steps between decks for D and E Stairway are equal.

The hidden gem of a detail took me a while to find but it is that Stairway D between 3 and 2 Deck and again between 2 and 1 Deck have 16 steps in a set of 5 - landing - set of 7 - landing - set of 4 (NOT 5!).  The same nuance applies to the steps between 1 and Q Deck and Q to U.  The nuance is massively subtle but something that is very characteristicly quirky of QE2 - and too long to explain properly here.

I'd be happy to explain in more detail at a future QSF Zoom call or by email/private message. If also desired, I'll tell you about how I derived horizontal and some vertical measurements about the ship (hint: think about some signs onboard and the 2000's carpet).  It's not quite walking about the ship with a tape measure (which I hope to do some day soon) but its the next best thing to getting that level of verified accuracy.

I love this project!

[June Ingram]

Great detective work !

[Lynda Bradford]

Good to see your are back to working on the virtual model of QE2. I am so impressed at the detail of the model. Looking forward to seeing more progress this year. 

[Bob C.]

In picking this effort back up, I went back to Stairway D (my favorite) where I started armed with experience and improved skills with the software.   Here's a rendering trial for your enjoyment.

Still need to work out a few quirks like texture/color variations and lighting but this go-round is working out very well.

[Lynda Bradford]

Looking forward to seeing how this part of the model develops, but looks like a good start 

[Rob Lightbody]

Looks amazing Bob.

What is your aim with the model?  Are you trying to model all the public areas?

[Bob C.]

Yes Rob, all the public areas and staterooms that I’ve stayed in.  Ultimately I’d like to find a way to put them all in one file and create connecting passageways so a seamless virtual walking tour would be possible.  As for now I have to split stairways into 2 or 3 files to get the detail I want.  Fortunately public rooms like the Double Room work on 1 file. Also fortunately, the file format I am using can be used by other modeling software should I discover they have better file size capacity.

[Bob C.]

I tweaked the carpet and wall colors a bit as well as some of the rendered materials reflectivity.  I also warmed the lighting up a bit (less white), added two spot lights that light up the directory board on the back wall and added some emissive material lighting on the elevator control panel (see the lit and dark pictures below).  I'm very pleased the way this worked out. A nice trip down 1969/1970's memory lane.  See relpy #14 at this link for a reference photo of 2 Deck (the below is 3 Deck) from 1974 - https://www.theqe2story.com/forum/index.php?topic=2296.0
 

So far I have 5 Deck to 1 Deck on this stairway.  Quarter Deck to Boat Deck coming.