Awesome 3D model of Jerusalem

[Tarbicus]

I once had to do something similar for a job I worked on a few years ago, and the amount of research was necessarily enormous. I stumbled across this humungous effort last night, a 3D reconstruction of ancient Jerusalem by Stephen Montalvo, and it's one of the most impressive 3D models I've ever seen. Given the relevance of Jerusalem here, I made some quick and nasty renders:

[url:1uxol1kz]http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i311/tarbicus/jerusalem_xsi_01.jpg[/url]
[url:1uxol1kz]http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i311/tarbicus/jerusalem_xsi_02.jpg[/url]
[url:1uxol1kz]http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i311/tarbicus/jerusalem_xsi_03.jpg[/url]
[url:1uxol1kz]http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i311/tarbicus/jerusalem_xsi_04.jpg[/url]
[url:1uxol1kz]http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i311/tarbicus/jerusalem_xsi_05.jpg[/url]
[url:1uxol1kz]http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i311/tarbicus/jerusalem_xsi_06.jpg[/url]

I can't even imagine the amount of work that went into it, and it outstrips mine by a long chalk.

[M. Demetrius]

That's impressive all right! What's the link to the page where you found these, if it's public?

[Tarbicus]

It's a cgi model that's for sale on Turbosquid.com.

Here's the direct link to the model, which costs $150 to buy: [url:24lj6j6d]http://www.turbosquid.com/FullPreview/Index.cfm/ID/255597[/url]

The six renders were done by me this morning after I bought the 3D model last night (I was so impressed), and bear in mind they're very rough :wink: No textures, just the straight materials as the come in apart from some reflective properties and roughened rooftops on the houses. You're welcome to use the images, and if anyone wants other views let me know. I'll make images if and when when time allows, and see this as a nice 3D technical learning project for myself.

I can't emphasise how much work must have gone into the model itself as I had to do a similar, but far more limited, task for a film I worked on. Even the parts for the temple doors are named separately. The price for it may seem a bit high, but for something like this it's honestly very cheap.

[MARCvSVIBIvSMAvRINvS]

HA!!!!!!! and now paste this as a mod into Rome total war and sack Jerusalem yourself!

M.VIB.M.

[Tarbicus]

Thanks Gioi, look forward to seeing your stuff

Here's another view of Jerusalem with some better textures:
[url:c0bhltb7]http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i311/tarbicus/jerusalem_xsi_07.jpg[/url]

[Cornelius Quintus]

Ave Jim,

thanks, that's outstanding!

[Tarbicus]

It got better Heiko. The modelmaker included an optional Third Wall. It doesn't match some verisons I've seen of its layout, but I believe there is a debate about that and I am sure I have seen one resembling this:

[url:160if3p6]http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i311/tarbicus/jerusalem_xsi_07_3rdwall.jpg[/url]

The Romans breached this during the siege, at top left of the image, which gave them their first real foothold in the city.

[Jona Lendering]

The modelmaker included an optional Third Wall. It doesn't match some verisons I've seen of its layout, but I believe there is a debate about that and I am sure I have seen one resembling this:

[urlqbml7at]http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i311/tarbicus/jerusalem_xsi_07_3rdwall.jpg[/url].

As far as I know, this is correct. For a long time, it was believed that the area of the modern Damascus Gate was part of the third wall, but the discovery of traces of a mid-first century wall morew to the north appears to have settled the case. The Damascus Gate is, therefore, built on top of the Second Wall, as is shown here.

There's less certainty about the course of the western part of the Second Wall. Our model maker has chosen a straight line to the south ([urlqbml7at]http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i311/tarbicus/jerusalem_xsi_07.jpg[/url]), which is common, but based on the assumption that the modern church of the Holy Sepulcher indeed marks the tomb and Golgotha. Personally, I agree, but it is needs to be stressed that this is just an assumption.

All this being said, it is a lovely model.

[Jeroen Pelgrom]

hock:

[Tarbicus]

The modelmaker included an optional Third Wall. It doesn't match some verisons I've seen of its layout, but I believe there is a debate about that and I am sure I have seen one resembling this:

[url:2stjr37r]http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i311/tarbicus/jerusalem_xsi_07_3rdwall.jpg[/url].

As far as I know, this is correct. For a long time, it was believed that the area of the modern Damascus Gate was part of the third wall, but the discovery of traces of a mid-first century wall morew to the north appears to have settled the case. The Damascus Gate is, therefore, built on top of the Second Wall, as is shown here.

There's less certainty about the course of the western part of the Second Wall. Our model maker has chosen a straight line to the south ([url:2stjr37r]http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i311/tarbicus/jerusalem_xsi_07.jpg[/url]), which is common, but based on the assumption that the modern church of the Holy Sepulcher indeed marks the tomb and Golgotha. Personally, I agree, but it is needs to be stressed that this is just an assumption.

All this being said, it is a lovely model.

Thanks Jona, that's settled that for me then. I was so hazy on the Third Wall because I worked on a film about Jesus, and there was enough debate on so many other things I had to prioritise and keep changing the setup. This model also includes a slightly smaller Circus, which IIRC is debated about.

I'm wondering if the Coloseum is relevant to the siege period? I don't ever remember seeing it on any maps. I might also add roof tiles to many of the Upper City buildings which also IIRC is one popular theory. However, I get the feeling that the modelmaker has researched and dwelled on this so long that he's probably right.

[Artorius1960]

I have a bunch of photos I took of this model in 1980. It's built outside on the grounds of the Holy Land Hotel in Jerusalem. It's very impressive when seen up close.

I remember seeing pictures of it in a book about the Jewish Revolt that I read some time in the early 70s. It wowed me then, so I was very happy to see it in person.

I'll have to dig my photos out of whatever box I stashed 'em in.

[Tarbicus]

I have a bunch of photos I took of this model in 1980. It's built outside on the grounds of the Holy Land Hotel in Jerusalem.

I vaguely know that model from prior research. Is it the same thing as the 3D one I posted? I reckon the pools, the central south-running wall's shape, and the Third Wall would be the biggest giveaways. I do remember the Holy Land Hotel model has completely different stonework (white as opposed to stone coloured - and I know through bitter experience), and the western towers are different.

But if the cgi model is even an update of the stone materials then it's an improvement.

[Artorius1960]

The CGI model looks much like the stone model, which also has the third wall, but not the pools, I think. The most impressive bit of the stone model is the temple area and the Antonia fortress.

[Decimus_Vitus]

That is very impressive! As an amature model maker myself I can imagine the amount of time taken to create such a model.


http://www.ancientvine.com
Steve

[Artorius1960]

Nice work on Ancient Vine, Steve. What software do you use?