3D Environment - Modeling Buildings in Maya

I started modeling my Wild West scene for my 3D environment project, and struggled a lot! At first I really didn't understand how to model in Maya. The first building I created was the Capitol Bar, as it was quite simple yet also had some complex features which I wanted to try and get out the way. I used a lot of edge loops, which created lots of unwanted edges on my model. For some reason I can't delete them either, so I may have to remake this model.

Capitol Bar Model Front

Capitol Bar Model Wireframe

Capitol Bar Model Top

After looking at some tutorials on the Maya help page and on YouTube. Mike Hermes's video on modeling a medieval castle helped a lot, as he explained modeling for beginners. I used this video to help make my church door, and this helped me work out how to make a basic arch and how to attach it to other shapes.

Mike's video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtOsLUPFtdQ&t=1861s

I based the church off of San Miguel Catholic Church in Socorro, New Mexico. It is one of the oldest Catholic churches in the U.S, and it is situated in New Mexico, which was one of the states in the Wild West. It was easy to find a photo of the front of the church to model off, but getting a photo of the side and back was more difficult. In the end, I guessed a lot of the details and the scale of the back buildings, but I didn't add too much as it will be hidden in my camera shot.

Church Model Side and Front

Church Model Wireframe

Church Model Top

REFERENCES

After modeling the church and bar, I wanted some smaller buildings to fill in the gaps, and for variety. I was going to make a bigger jail, but I ended up making a small jail instead. For this building I used edge loops and extruded the sides to create beams. I also extruded the windows inwards and added the bars to make it look like a jail. The building seemed too simple, so I added lots of slats to the front. After making all the slats, I realised there was too much detail, however it would be perfect for my building in the foreground.

Jail Model Side and Front

Jail Model Wireframe

REFERENCE

I then focused on making some simpler buildings for the side of the shot, so the scene will look full but not too confusing. I used this real estate building photo to model off, but I would call my building a generic, filler building. As shown in the wireframe, the structure is very simple. I only used some edge loops, extrusions, and cubes. 

Real Estate Model Side and Front

Real Estate Model Front

Real Estate Model Wireframe

REFERENCE

Again, I modeled a very simple building to fill some space. I wanted to model a building which had a thin front panel, as many wild west buildings had this feature. I didn't put much detail in it as I wanted to put the detail in texturing, and it was going to be a building which was quite hidden. I based it off this laser cut replica, as the image showed the front and side so I knew what I needed to model. I used the other buildings to get the correct scale.

Simple Building Model Side and Front

Simple Building Model Wireframe

REFERENCE

I know my models are not great, or perfect, but I've never modeled in Maya before. I think this is a very good attempt for my first try at modeling, and I'm proud of how quickly I was able to pick it up. After a day I managed to make the church, and everyday I model I keep getting faster. I need to improve on labeling my outliner, and start working out how to add textures and cameras.