The next stage of the eagerly anticipated 3D Virtual Newcastle project is set to begin in August 2013. Thanks to the kind generous donors to the Vera Deacon Regional History Fund, the University is able to engage 3D Design & Illustration artist Charles Martin to add greater detail to his original models and flythroughs launched late last year and that appeared on the Front Pages of the Newcastle Herald. See: http://hunterlivinghistories.com/2012/11/29/virtual-newcastle-circa-1800-1830-ad/
The next phase will incorporate high resolution detail from a variety of key paintings and sketches held across the nation. Charles will be creating a computer generated 3D model of Newcastle as it existed in the Aboriginal/Pre-Colonial to Macquarie Period 1800s-1820s.
The project involves:
– examining early plans, artworks and documentation relating to the early Newcastle landscape
– create a detailed model of Newcastle at two time periods using GIS data as the building block
– create models in Sketchup Pro of early landforms, houses and structures, public buildings etc
– attention could be given to the obvious land and water edge forms, but also flora types and distribution.
– liaise with academics, students and community researchers to ensure model is as accurate as possible.
– overlay the detail from the paintings, engravings and artworks onto the 3D generated models and the place them onto the 3D landscape on Google Earth.
– generate fly throughs using visualisation software packages for distribution via web and databases.
Charles will be incorporating details from the paintings of Joseph Lycett and Edward Charles Close, that were recently on display in the historic Treasures of the Macquarie Era Exhibition at the Newcastle Art Gallery, and featured in the Weekender article by Mike Scanlon in the Newcastle Herald on the 20th July 2013.
Looking good! Next best thing to the Tardis!