Virtual QE2 Model

[Bob C.]

Thanks to Lachlan for helping me confirm my guesstimations of the Double Up Room widows with some hints from his awesome model!  Again the QSF enabled a collaborative resource to help keep QE2's legacy alive.

Here's a screen capture of my model's Double Up Room featuring the windows I just finished.  The entire lounge still needs wall and ceiling detail and furniture but its shaping up very nicely.

These windows, many of which have been blanked over, and the area just in front of them are where the shops would eventually move to in 1972. Prior to this the shops were on the Boat Deck between the Double Up Room and Stairway D.   

[Lynda Bradford]

Good to know that Lachlan could help with your question.  The Double up room is shaping up very well. 

[Bob C.]

I added some furniture but still need to work on the walls, ceilings and hideaway booths.  Lots of memories are popping up as I add bits of details and the room gets closer to completion.  As I loaded the photos, I had to do a double take at the thumbnails since they looked almost real.  Enjoy.

[Twynkle]

I added some furniture but still need to work on the walls, ceilings and hideaway booths.  Lots of memories are popping up as I add bits of details and the room gets closer to completion.  As I loaded the photos, I had to do a double take at the thumbnails since they looked almost real.  Enjoy.

Hi Bob

This is utterly brilliant! To do the Double Down room is truly awesome
As a matter of interest, are you using the same technique / formula for designing / drawing this as you would with a CAD for 3D printing?

And "copying" /replicating glass, and shiny metal  - as well as windows, table tops etc, there was a huge amount on board QE2....thinking of the doors with lovely handles and the round portholes on the swing doors onto the outside decking - Is this tricky?

[Lynda Bradford]

It's really starting to come to life.  The detail of the chairs and tables is fantastic, as is the detail of the windows. 

[Bob C.]

Hi Bob

This is utterly brilliant! To do the Double Down room is truly awesome
As a matter of interest, are you using the same technique / formula for designing / drawing this as you would with a CAD for 3D printing?

And "copying" /replicating glass, and shiny metal  - as well as windows, table tops etc, there was a huge amount on board QE2....thinking of the doors with lovely handles and the round portholes on the swing doors onto the outside decking - Is this tricky?

Thanks Rosie!  To answer your question about the technique, its pretty much the same.  The software I am using, Sketchup, is not a full CAD software but it can save files in formats that CAD software uses.  I have been toying with the idea of finding someone with a more sophisticated software and see what the file would look like opened in it.

On your second question about certain features being tricky, the answer is yes and no.  It is tricky to get the right glass tint, metal surface and other finishes as Sketchup is a bit limited in its selections.  I'm learning how to get better at this through a material editing feature though.

It is not tricky from the standpoint of being able to reproduce the geometry of an object.  It's been very easy for most of the 2D, horizontal measurements given the deck plans and general arrangement plans I have.  However, for the vertical measurements, such as doors and deck heights and the sizes of portholes, tables and furniture; I have to rely on photos and videos that capture the objects and scaling them to the estimated heights of various nearby objects but mostly people and their body parts (knees, hips, arm lengths, etc.).  For example, the Double Room chairs took about 4 or 5 attempts.  I "guesstimated" the chair height and width using the sitting knee height and shoulder widths of people in the chairs from family photos and advertisements and then placed it in the room to see if it all fit in context.  Even now, looking at it a day later, I may scale it down about another 3-5% - thank God for the scaling tool where I can reduce or expand complex objects with a few mouse clicks!

All good fun and a great hobby for me

[Rod]

Truly amazing.

[June Ingram]

Wonderful work, Bob ! Truly a great project to watch take shape and a very valuable project for future reference !

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

This is quite amazing! I cannot understand how it is even possible... but what a marvel to be able to see QE2 as she was, carpets, furniture and all!

I just wish the technology was already there to be able to step into these pictures...

Thank you so much, Bob .

[Bob C.]

Here's a virtual walk up the Double Room Staircase for your (nostalgic) enjoyment. 

[Rob Lightbody]

Here's a virtual walk up the Double Room Staircase for your (nostalgic) enjoyment. 

Bob, I've converted your video to an unlisted Youtube video, hope that's OK.

Its incredible, you should be very proud of what you've achieved!

[Bob C.]

Perfect Rob. Thank you.

[June Ingram]

Bob, absolutely wonderful ! Awesome work ! 

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

Quite amazing! I am in endless admiration for your work, and for the detail you have been able to incorporate, for instance the slight shading of the glass panels on the stairs. Congratulations!

[Rob Lightbody]

.... instance the slight shading of the glass panels on the stairs. Congratulations!

Yes I noticed that too - very subtle, but very effective!