Building a Colosseum: A Modeling Challenge

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Welcome to my journey of building a 3D model of the Roman Colosseum! I’m aiming for a scale model as accurate as possible, using information I can gather online. I’ve managed to get the basic dimensions: the outer wall is 189 meters by 156 meters by 48 meters, and the spectator wall is 88 meters by 55 meters by 5 meters. All measurements are in meters, and I’m using Blender units for scaling.

I’ve started by creating the base circles for the outer and inner walls, each with 80 vertices to match the 80 pillars of the outer wall. However, I’ve run into a snag: the walls are elliptical, which means that when I scale them, their lengths don’t remain consistent.

Here’s the problem: I need the walls to have the same length, but when I scale an elliptical shape, the lengths of the edges change unevenly. This means the scaled ellipse won’t accurately represent the Colosseum’s walls.

Finding Solutions

I’ve come up with a potential solution, but I’m not sure if it’ll work. My idea is to find the average length of all the edges and apply that length to each edge. However, I’m concerned this might distort the elliptical shape. This approach would also be quite time-consuming and may not result in a perfectly accurate model.

That’s why I’m turning to the community for help! I’m wondering if there’s a more efficient way to create an ellipse with consistent edge lengths. Maybe there’s a technique using the rotation tool, array modifier, or screw modifier?

Perhaps there’s a simple option I’m missing? Is there a way to non-uniformly scale a circle or rotate an edge to create an ellipse with equal edge lengths? Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Exploring Options

Here’s a tip: An ellipse is an oblique intersection of a cone. Try this:

  1. Create a cone and a circle.
  2. Enable the “closest face” option with “project individual elements” in the snap tool.
  3. Switch to top view (Num7) and select the circle in edit mode.
  4. Scale the circle down and drag it sideways.
  5. Disable the snap tool and rotate the circle to align it with the ground.

Another tool to consider is the “XYZ Math Surface” found in the “Add Mesh: Extra Objects” addon in user preferences. This tool allows you to plot vertices using mathematical functions. While I haven’t been able to achieve equal distances with it yet, someone else might have a solution.

This modeling challenge has shown me that even something as seemingly simple as an ellipse can be tricky to model accurately. I’m excited to continue exploring and learn from the community!

Community Insights

I reached out to some experienced modelers, and they shared some valuable insights:

  • A fellow modeler shared their experience with creating a Colosseum model back in Blender 2.49. They noted that it’s a complex model, especially the interior, which is almost, but not quite, an ellipse.
  • The exterior shape has a complex equation with over 120 parameters, making it challenging even for a computer.
  • The level of precision required significantly affects the difficulty. Achieving accuracy within 1 meter is extremely difficult.
  • Adding stairs and other architectural details further increases complexity.
  • A good strategy is to model one quarter of the Colosseum and then use the mirror modifier to create the full shape.

They also suggested searching the forums for previous discussions on Colosseum modeling, as there are at least two other threads on the topic. One of the most effective methods is to use four ellipses to represent the Colosseum.

I’m eager to explore these suggestions and continue learning! Thanks to everyone who shared their advice and experience. I’ll keep you updated on my progress.

Let’s build this Colosseum together!

Reference photo

Building a Colosseum: A Modeling Challenge
Building a Colosseum: A Modeling Challenge
Building a Colosseum: A Modeling Challenge
Building a Colosseum: A Modeling Challenge
Building a Colosseum: A Modeling Challenge
Building a Colosseum: A Modeling Challenge
Building a Colosseum: A Modeling Challenge
Sofia Romano
Sofia Romanohttps://rometravelguide.info/
Sofia Romano is a seasoned travel writer with a deep passion for the history and culture of Rome. With years of experience exploring the city’s hidden gems and iconic landmarks, Sofia shares her insider knowledge through captivating stories and detailed guides. Her writing brings Rome to life, offering readers a unique perspective on how to experience the Eternal City like a local.
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