Allen memorial house at Carleton college was built in 1921 in memory of a Carleton student who died at WWI. Although, this house is simpler than many of the carleton campus housing and buildings, it took me a while to finish it up on SketchUp. Especially when I had to use the photo match process, I found it a lot more hard since it required a lot more attention to detail. My first attempt with Allen house a couple of weeks ago was not very effective. My model did not completely match with the photo and it was really frustrating. However, I used different online youtube videos. It was a learning experience that prepared me for my actual attempt. 
About a week ago, I started working on my actual model. At times, it was a bit frustrating not being able to get the right angle or dimension. My almost end result, however, turned out to be okay! Here are a few 2-D images of my final model.
Through out this process, I’ve learned useful SketchUp skills. I can now look at a picture and create a 3-D image of it. To me, this is powerful. This tool is so useful for Humanists as they study the past. Reading text about places and things that no longer exist is just one thing. It allows the Humanist to get context clues and ideas. However, having a 3-D image of something allows people, including Humanists, to see details that might be missing in the text. And because humanist are interested in the way the external world influences humans, having 3-D models is useful. It gives a whole new perspective.
Although I only have basic SketchUp skills, I can still utilize these skills to make presentation for classes and jobs interactive and rich. More than anything, through out this process, I’ve learned that patience is a virtue. Like many useful tools, the SketchUp process is learned from trial and error. Patience is key. Nothing comes easily. This process has also instilled with in me a whole new level of appreciation and interest for the Digital Humanities. As I was working on Allen House, I kept on thinking how cool and complicated it would be to create a SketchUp model of Lalibela, a medieval monolithic cave church in Ethiopia that was made out of one single rock. Because it was built in the 13th century, I wonder how difficult it was for workers to complete it without essential tools to carve rocks and dig. Hopefully, I get the time to (maybe for winter break) attempt to apply the skills I’ve learned building Allen House to try and do a model of Lalibela. If I could find any archives, text or information on the process, it would be super cool to create a time lapse 3-d image of Lalibela at different time periods. It would be a really cool project.
Moral of the story: SketchUp is a really cool tool and if you ever get the chance, take advantage of it!
p.s.: still need to work of adding texture and last minute details to my building.
Nice work on the house! I like the amount of detail you put in, even with the little tapered pillows on the porch. Your final product seems really, really true to the original house, with the little wall siding decorations and everything on there. It’s also awesome that you’re enjoying SketchUp so much–recreating Lalibela through the ages would be such a cool project for winter break! I’d really like to see that if you’re able to do it.
I second what Pallav said: I would love to see a model of Lalibela! Although you wrote that you still need work on the textures, the model looks complete to me. You chose textures that do a good job of distinguishing the banners from the second-story windows and other building elements. The dark shading of the original photograph made it difficult to tell these apart! I would not have noticed that there were banners hanging on Allen House if I hadn’t looked at your model. This touch makes it truly representative of the time period. Great job!
Selam,
I agree with Pallav and Clarissa that the Lalibela cave churches would be an amazing candidate for 3D simulation. And I think you might be up to the challenge with the level of skill and attention to detail this model demonstrates. You’ve captured not just the essence of the building, but many of its period features, from the banners to the pillars and siding. Great work.
“And because humanist are interested in the way the external world influences humans, having 3-D models is useful.” I completely agree with what you said there. I’ve been thinking a lot about how models are useful to the humanities, and I think you’re right to identify the use of space as a key part of that. I’d love to see your model of Lalibela if you get around to it!