The Missing Link

It’s been a while again since I have done a blog. The modelling of York is coming along, if not some what slowly. I have today uploaded one of the missing bits to the city walls. This is the bit in museum gardens to join St Leonard’s to the Multangular tower. I will be working on the main gates, lodge, wall and then Lendal tower this weekend as well as other models which are underway right now. The only problem is the weather is going wild right now.

Operation: 3D York

I have decided to enter the 2012 Google Model Your Town Competition. It’s been a dream to be able to do this competition for a while now. Now that it's back, I must enter and take a shot at the top. Looking over the rules of the competition I can enter all my wall models which will be a great boost. In the end it's more about quality than quantity so I won't be doing all of York. The aim I am setting myself is to keep myself limited to inside the city walls. There will be odd exceptions to this, as I would like to model the Station, Racecourse and Terry’s Factory. Other possible big outside York buildings too, that have cultural and architectural significance. Inside the walls I plan to finish all of the wall circuit. I am currently missing the bit around Lendal Tower. The other main area to work on will be the Medieval Parish churches of York; I have made 9 of them as it stands. There are another 12 to build, 2 of which have been built by others. This touches on a trickier subject of remodelling other people’s models. Although they might not be in the competition, what to do with them; Remodel or leave them? It’s something I will look into. Once the walls and churches are done I will be mainly working on doing building in York that show York’s history, culture and proud architecture. Its now time to launch operation, 3D York.

Into the fog

It’s been a really fogy day today in York. I managed to get out and take some photos for new models to build. Each day I feel I am getting closer to entering the model your town competition. I am still lacking the drive to fill the form out.

Rolling Thunder

As it’s the weekend I have done a model. I now feel on top of things at work so got into doing a few this weekend. Then a friend told me about the new model your town competition and my mind has started to get all stormy.

Please mind the gap

It’s been a long time now. I have been really busy with the take over at work. Now finally I have time to get back to modeling. Just another church for now. I aim to get one done a week until works finally sorted.

Almost time

I have been super busy sorting everything out. Sadly no time for modelling but I have been making more connections in the world to help the models. More to come soon…

Growing Web

I did a lot more networking today. All of which will come to light very soon. This will all be in aid of the big SketchUp adventure. Mostly today I have been adding more content to the website.

New Website: Version 3

I have wanted to do a new website for months now. The other was not bad. Just lacking a bit in content. I have been working on this new site since 6ish today. Its not 100% finished as of yet. How ever its looking a lot better then it used to. Lots more content to come to fill up the site nicely.

Another hot one

It’s been another hot Saturday. Sadly no photos for any new models. I will have a dig tonight for buildings I might have wanted to do a while back.

G3FX

Big changes tonight. I have updated my website with the new logo and a link to the York 3D model collection. This is all in aid of finally going to the news paper. Fingers crossed on that one. Then on this I have removed the “York City Walls” as the blog title and replacing it with “G3FX” as the walls projects now sorted. Next on the agenda is to do some models.

Year One

It’s been a year now making models for Google Earth in SketchUp. I had been dabbling with if for longer just never got round to uploading a model till the 30^th of June 2010. My first model was Raindale Mill. As a sort of birthday surprise I have updated to original model. As this was my first model it was a huge 4 megabyte file and rather shoddy compared to what I can knock out now. Using all the skills I have gained over the last year I did the mill up. Its now just under 2 megabits and looks a lot nicer.

In other news last night I finished my course work that has been stopping me do the models. From now on I will be pushing the modelling back into the works. More on that tomorrow…

Coast to Coast; Way of the Roses, Conquered!

I got back last night after completing the ride. It was the best ride I have done for a long time. When I got back I found that the library has gone in and the big bit of the city walls. Now all the walls are in. If not in a slightly wonky state. This will be the next big sort out. The next week I am going to be busy getting other bits and bobs done so won’t do any modelling.

Coast to Coast; Way of the Roses

I am all sorted for my big ride. I am now going to get off to work and then it’s off on the trip so I won’t be on now till Monday night. I can then start to do more models.

No models

I doubt I will do anything for a week or so now. I am busy sorting out my bike ride and course to do anything.

Explore York Library Learning Centre

Today I finished the beast model. It was the Explore York Library Learning Centre and took about 12 hours to do. It seems to have been rate moderate which sounds about right. Not sure what I will model now as I seem to be only able to think about my big ride :oD

The beast of models

I am working on a really impressive model but you’re just going to have to wait till tomorrow to find out what it is. I have pumped 4 hours into it so far and it’s looking great.

Yet another church

I didn’t plan on getting this one done tonight but 3 hours later it seems to be finished. I might finish off the last few models this weekend that I have photographs for then when I get back from coast to coast I will go on a nice big ride and get more photographs.

One week to go

Until I ride the coast to coast way of the roses.

Hit 50

I wanted to put this up last night but the net broke so couldn’t! I have finally got 50reviews for the Minster. I want to get it to 100 by the end of the year. Tonight I made a small signal box I photographed a while back now. I am now working on a small model to go next to the Minster. It should be done tomorrow.

Staying in

I ended up staying in and working on a model that I have had for a while now. I started another to but don’t think I can finish it as I have a mission texture. I have also reworked a building maker model as it needed to be better.

Home or Away?

It says it’s going to be nice weather for modeling tomorrow. I am wondering if its better to go get more churches out of town or get some done in town.

On another church front I got St Mary’s in Tadcaster done today.

All change again

I have finally got my new logo on all the models. I have also linked all the models to my website. Finishing off with uploading “the big bit” of the wall so that my wall models are total!

June hits hard

I am wiped out already. I have yet to properly upload my logo. I might get round to it tomorrow is not the weekend.

The New Logo

The new logo.

Role on June

May has been long and much has been done. June is about to come with huge changes. More on this tomorrow night if I survive the 1^{st of June.}

Rainy day

It rained all day. Some would say a typical ban holiday Monday. I worked on a model I took photographs for weeks ago on my Easter ride. The church of All Saints Terrington took about 4 hours to do. I might do another model tomorrow seen as I am off.

York Visitor Information

Was today’s model. I was going to add the new logo to it but will hold it till the 1^st of June still. I have fixed my blog sign in to as it was not working right so blogs are a bit behind.

New Logo

It’s on its way. I will let people see it on the 1^st of June to start the end of all months. That’s sort of started today with my mill.

That Fishergate Tower model

It’s come along rather nicely tonight. I still need to sort out the room and then its made to how it looks now. I will then do the alterations that have been proposed to it to show people how it looks. I should have both done by Monday.

All Saints, Appleton Roebuck

The first church I have done for a bit now. I still would like to get the 250 badge by the end of the month just when I will get the models done is unknown.

Onwards

 I know I have been lacking in doing the blogs a bit this month. Life is getting faster and faster. I foresee June been the month to end it all!

York, PA, Suburban house

Just a little something for a friend.

Inside

I have been working on doing a model of the inside of Fishergate Tower again. Not sure when it will be done. Its more for show and testing.

Back to base

I am back from my little cat sitting weekend. I am hoping to get things back to normal quick. I should also see some models get on tomorrow. Fingers crossed for the five.

Out in the garden

No models again as I have been far too busy gardening.

Tomorrow not today

I got a meeting mixed up what I thought was today but turns out is tomorrow so was not impressed. Also cat sitting the next few days so no models for a bit.

The axle is back!‏

Today I had another go at the course work. I have done a unit fully now. Only another 8 to go! I also did a bit to my website.

Coursework

It’s finally getting done. I have bashed away at it tonight and made a nice dent. I now have a list of things o do tomorrow. If I manage to get them done I will have made an even bigger bash. I hope to get 40% done by Monday. Then I want to get 10% done each week. Then ending the course in June all been well. I can then do more modelling and working on apps.

App

I have made an app!!! It dose not do much but opens a new path for me.

A cinema for a change

I got up feeling a lot better then yesterday. So much so that I have made two models and worked on a third. It all begins yesterday went to the cinema for a change to see “Thor in 3D” at the local Vue. Not that it’s that local been out of the city center! Before the movie started I got some photos of the building as its not to complicate. Then this morning I finished off Welborn’s church which was a St John the Evangelist. There seems to be a lot in the area. I got this done before work then after work did the cinema. I am now working on St Andrew, Bishopthorpe. It’s proving to be very tricky. I hope to get it sorted by Friday night

Fishergate Tower

It was the opening day for the tower today and I had a look round the inside. It was nice to see and should help on my model. No SketchUp models tonight as I have a huge head ache after a long day.

Google reply

I finally have heard back from Google about the five. It’s a bit of a mixed bag really as each model got a different type of reply. In the end I basically can try push the small models just they might not all get on. The other option is to make one big one. That might be the option I take if the five little models don’t go on. In other news I have been working on another church. It got stopped half way along as I started working on the interior for Fishergate tower.

St John the Evangelist

I have made two churches dedicated to him. The first was one from yesterdays ride down at Ancaster Selby. The second was from two weeks ago when I went over the Whitwell on the Hill. It was sunny by the time I got here but feel it looks ok. I will also be resubmitting my Micklegate Bar and the five again to see if it can get throw Google again.

38 miles and one model

I went on my ride today and had a great time. I managed to take photos for about 10 buildings. I have already done All Saints, Ryther. Not sure when I will get the others built as I need to be doing some school work now.

Voting over

Well I seem to have missed out on doing a blog yesterday. Not sure why that happened. Not that I did anything worth talking about. Now things are looking up a bit as the weather might be good to get out on the bike and then I can make some churches again.

Getting things sorted

Its taking tie to get things sorted but I am slowly getting there. I still have not got back to modelling. That should be more this weekend. No news on any other models yet which I feel should be more tomorrow.

Still wiped out

London really wiped me out and I have yet to get back into things.

Finally back

London was great fun. Now I must recover. I had a nice 5 mile walk throw London at night and then a long train ride back to York that’s wiped me out! Nothing else much o report tonight. Apart from I can’t see right. My eyes seem to be all blood shot :op Time for bed.

London Nights

I am all packed to go back to York. I shall be in for an interesting night :op More on that tomorrow when I get back.

London: Day 2

It has been hot here today. It was nice to see lots of London. Should get some photos up. In model news i have yet to hear anything from google about "the five".

Wedding!!!

I made it to London and got great photos of the wedding :oD

One more day

Then its London :oD I have not done anything model related today. I was hoping to hear back from Google about the five models of the wall that are missing. But nothing. I might get an update about it all tomorrow all been well :o)

Getting close now

I got the Strensall church done and now feel a bit wiped out. Only two more days till London :oD

St Mary the Virgin, Strensall

Should be finished by tomorrow night. I got a small Methodist chapel done earlier then got distracted by the Muppets treasure island :op

Yesterday’s big ride

I went for a 40 mile trip yesterday in the sun. I managed to photograph about 13 buildings but think I will only make 12. Even then its tricky to say as it was sunny by the end of it so I might just hold off doing some. I made one church last night. That was St Helen & the Holy Cross, Sheriff Hutton. This makes my model count to 200 now. How ever I will only be at 198 due to two models not been in Google earth so I still have a way to go before the 250 badge. It dose feel a lot closer now. Today I managed to get the church of St Martin, Bulmer and just now All Saints, Huntington. I might get another done tonight. Bellow is the stats from the ride.

40 Miles Covered
3 Hours 22 minuets
20.0 mph Average speed
69 mph Max speed

390 ft Max Elevation

9.0% Max Slope Up

12.1% Max Slope Down
12 Models photographed
1 Fixed up I-Pod, Bust the headphones this time!

Happy St Georges Day

I actually managed to sleep well getting about 9 hours sleep. I have not done much today just some more voluntary work. I came home and it got cloudy so should have gone off on the bike. It will be my plan for tomorrow as they say it should be cloudy all day. If I do go and it looks like it will be cloudy for a long time I might push the 60 mile and over 20 models photographed.

Restless night

I have a feeling tonight’s going to be a hard one. I got back to my volunteering job today and that’s made me have a lot on my mind so now I don’t think I will get to sleep. In turn this could be bad as tomorrow looks like it could be a nice dull day for getting photos for more models. In other news I got 9 models on Google earth. Still nothing back about the five round Micklegate Bar.

The next big ride

I might just have a huge ride coming up on Saturday. It’s all down to weather so I doubt it. If I don’t go riding I will get more to the website done.

Roasting

I haven’t done anything modeling wise today. Its been way to hot and sunny and yet more to come :op

Working on other bits

It’s been another sunny day out and seen as I was off work I lounged about at home. This lead me to start a bit of a re development to my website. It’s a bit hit and miss right now with all the pages looking very much the same. It’s going to be better in the coming week. I just need to add more content.

In other news I have petitioned Google about the five bits of wall round Micklegate Bar with the text I put on the group chat. Nobody seems to have noticed that or care so we shall see what Google say.

Sunny day

I managed to get a lot of gardening done at work today. Then I got lucky with some light clouds so managed to take photographs for three churches. Two of which have been done already! I am now a bit wiped out :op I have tomorrow off and it looks like another sunny day so probably no more photo taking. I might have a go at the other church which is Bishopthrorp but it’s a tricky one so we will have to wait and see…

Plotting

Not like to blow the houses of parliament up. Instead I have been plotting out all the churches in Google earth that I will add to my model collection. I would say over 200 buildings not all churches have been added. It seems a rather huge amount covering miles and miles of countryside. I also worked on my zoning. I have a boundary which I won’t go over for modeling this year. That’s zone 6, zone 1 is the city center, zone 2 is the ring road, and zone 3 is the county line. That just leaves 4 and 5. They are just a bit jagged right now and could move. Anywhos moving on to tomorrow all been well I plan to get three maybe four churches after work.

A tale of 5 churches

I got up really early today and went to the car boot down by the race course then got home to model like never before. I have managed to make 5 of the 6 churches that I got photographs for the other day. I now have done, St Nicholas, Askham Bryan, St Mary, Askham Richard, St John the Baptist, Healaugh, St James, Bilbrough and St Paul, Colton. I only have photographs of Copmanthorp left so tomorrow all been well weather wise I plan to go biking up North to gather some more photographs.

St Oswald's, Fulford

Got finished today. I have uploaded my photos from yesterday’s trip. Not sure when I will get round to making them as I have a plan to do another trip this Sunday.

Yesterday’s busyness

I had work from 8 till 1pm then went on a 30 mile ride. I got about 7 models photographed then had a night out. When I got home BT decided that the would cut the internet off so I didn’t have time to do this blog :op I got another 9 models into Google earth how ever the 5 bits of wall got taken out! Not impressed.

A new trip?

I plan to go biking after work to get some new photos for making models. It comes to weather again but fingers crossed. Also it looks like I might be going to London again for the wedding and get a holiday at the same time :oD

Time for a nap

Work really tired me out again today and there is more to come so I don’t know how the models will come along. I got another up today. I get the photos for it months ago now. I have started a pub in Fulford. Its not going to be amazing as the back is tricky. It will most likely be on by tomorrow. Now time for bed.

Five small models vs. one big model

Over the last 6 months I have been having a bit of a battle with Google over some models. The battle involves my models of “York City Walls” vs. another person’s model. It comes down to that the other modeller has done one big model and mine are five small models. Google have asked me to join me bits together to make one big model. I just don’t agree with this.

My main reason is that in Google’s own modelling criteria it says that “Models should not include more than one discrete structure each”. This was why I have split my models into five. Having the five over one big model makes it more interactive for a user in Google earth. It allows the user to click on each tower and wall section individually and pull up information about that individual section of the wall.

In the end what is better? Interactive models over five small models or one big model?

To support and help with this debate here are some links.

This is a link to the York City Wall’s Collection…

http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/cldetails?mid=dd6cd6fb26607db818ec36bc77997e83&ct=mdcc

This is a link to the big model…

http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=1c17cc8f0a480a98c218f098f051447f

Theses five are the models contested with Google. ..

http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=62aedfd521b878dd4388c8308e9f902a

http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=19fc6b7929e8dfa2f79fc185398b8311

http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=d1c52a8720d680f4f79fc185398b8311

http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=d80d0e4926d35a0bf79fc185398b8311

http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=f32222a82bdf8f63f79fc185398b8311

Reviews

I can’t believe that my St Leonard’s has 10 reviews already! I have been rather pushy today in getting more people to review my models. Mostly the Minster, how ever I noticed that the art gallery’s had over 1000 people look at it!!! I improved the textures a bit more to it. I think tomorrow all been well I shall get some photographs of Fulford church. Weather permitting!

St Leonard's Hospital

As it was sunny yesterday I did not go for a ride. Nor can I today as its again to sunny to go out. Instead I worked on St Leonard's Hospital. I took the photos back in January as it’s a part of the wall. Just I didn’t feel confident at doing it. Now with all my small church knowledge I feel a lot better at working the model and photos. It’s a nice small model to and will be nice to see live. It will also look nice once the library is done. I was going to do it but another person has started it so I will leave it. All been well this Tuesday I will be out riding as I have a day off work and its meant to be good weather.

Tomorrows mission

As its finally the weekend I have been sorting out a new SketchUp cycle mission. Just sadly it looks like it will be very sunny out in the morning. I plan to go to the car boot sale down at the race course then that might be it for the day.

A funny 101

I have managed to do 101 blogs now :op I think it needs the name changing to be more “my Sketchup talking” then the walls. I have been plotting out this weekends ride and the weekend after that as well as doing a model for a friend in America so look out for that once I get it done. Its hard to do a building you have never seen. I thought there would be a 3D layer upload today but nothing yet so maybe in the morning,

Stunned

A close friend died last week and its left me stunned. I got the final building done from last weekend’s trip. I have sort of been thinking what to get this weekend but the deaths shocked me a lot.

Not Impressed Again

I managed to get the farm house sorted at Wharram Percy. I have been working on a church in North Grimston. I should be abele to get that one by tomorrow night. I have been pondering about getting some new church photos tomorrow. I don’t know yet as tonight Google have told me they are taking down my bit of wall by Micklegate Bar again!!! I need to come up with a good come back to this as its really getting annoying now!

Worked out

I managed to get the Wharram Perry church done and uploaded. It looks really good! I am now in a bit of a jam as I have a course work hand in to do tomorrow and that’s got the better of me. It in turn its fried my brain! I should how ever get the Wharram Perry farm house sorted soon.

Yesterdays mission

So far so good. I got up and dint feel to stiff. I have made another new church as well as finishing one I started last week. I have started on St Martin's in Wharram Percy. It might take some time as it’s a ruined building. I would also like to make a nice job of it.

Thighs of steal

I coved 55 miles today on a truly epic bike ride! It started out wet and dark but then got better. To the point it got to sunny to take photographs of models so I headed home. I have already built one and uploaded it. I should get the others done in the coming week.

Itinerary

It’s now less then 12 hours before I set off on the grates Sketchup Cycle Mission. I have plotted out a rout which comes to about 40 miles. That’s just putting a line from A to B. I believe it could be shy of 60 miles! It all comes down to if the weather holds. Right now they are saying it will rain round 10ish. In the itinerary of the day I will be heading off to Warren Percy deserted medieval village. There is an old ruined church there and a farm building which I intend to do. Then the road then heads west and I clock three churches. I am not sure about there name. I head over to Kirkham Priory. I don’t intend to do that but might get the bridge there. Then it’s a big climb up Whitwell Hill to get the church up there and one in the village of Crambe. It’s a lovely down hill from there and possibly another church down then bottom. Finishing by getting the textures for the church in Bossall and home. It’s going to be an interesting day.