EDIT 2:
I'm happier with this lighting, it seems a bit more natural, whereas before seemed a bit bright and dusky. I'm still fiddling with the glass, I might look into Mental Ray glass textures rather than the normal Maya ones, but I'm not sure hw long that will add to render times.
EDIT: Street Progress. The further away from the camera the buildings are the less time and detail they take, so the progress is a bit quicker now. Still have to start the other side of the street though!
I'm struggling a bit today, it may be because of the shitty weather or the fact I only slept for a few hours, but my day is definitely going better than Phil's as I'm not stuck in a Spanish airport (Though at least he has seen the sun recently). I've taken a break from the buildings to work on the London Bus, but it is not going too well. I've never modelled a vehicle before so it is looking a bit square and doesn't have much charm. I'm hoping to improve it using textures. Here is what I have so far. I still need to sort out the textures on the windows and the wheels.
The reason for the box is because that is where the bus will be hidden, it will be crashed into a shop.
Obviously it's not finished to the extent you want and don't take this the wrong way, but this could look really bizaare and out of place (in a bad way) if you put this in your scene, especially since the shop front model is really good and quite realistic. Almost like the equivalent of putting stick figure people and making them the focus in a piece of concept art or something.
The suggestion of a crahsed bus might be a better idea, tyre skid marks on the road, shattered glass etc.
Thanks for the post Tom.
I stuck it in the scene and it did look out of place, so like you say, it might be better to just compensate for it. Might have to re-visit this bus once I've got a bit better with Maya.
Hey Sam, your making some good progress on your scene. Can't wait to see how it all fits together :) Maybe some bumpmapping on the bus texture could help bring it alive.
Hi again Sam... the scale on your pavement slabs is off, the reference image has approx 3 tiles to the arched doorway, you have just over one, its a quick fix that will make a noticeable difference.
AH Cheers Simon, overlooked that. Really does make a difference