context / site buildings

[trackie23]

I have been scouring these forums and the web for a good tutorial on this but haven't found much to help. I am trying to figure out the best/most efficient way to insert my model into its proper city context and site. The project has a large facade of glass, so simple approximate grey massing will not suffice for accurate reflections. There is also a city skyline about a mile away that can be seen in the distance. I tried google's 3D warehouse models for those buildings, but they look very tacky. The site is not easily accessible for me, and I'm lacking the proper photo documentation/camera angles to do a simple montage in photoshop. My workflow is sketchup->max (materials/lighting)->MR. Is modeling the adjacent context in detail (including roads, signs, traffic lights, etc) for reflections/details and photoshopping in the distant context/skyline the best route?

[notamondayfan]

it sounds like a lot of work, but how are you going to model the buildings accuratly if you dont even have any decent photos of them?

 

If you could get some photos of the buildings, I would mass the buildings in 3d, and map on the photos for your reflections.

 

I guess your workflow will depend on your time scales, budget, info, etc.