The Michelangelo Library 3D model pays tribute to a remarkable work of architecture from the 1500s, made from tons of reference images, going through the process : Autocad > SketchUp > 3dsmax.
If you want to take a crack at it, here are the 2D base files and Autocad drawing I used : Base image Pack
The impulse of the Project
This building is one of the very first projects that I’ve discovered in architecture school in the History of Architecture classes. I remember very well the teacher being passionate about this building and understood why later.
It stroke me as a brilliant piece of art within a building, thought provoking, very well executed. On top of that it was designed by an artist that I didn’t know was also an architect, the one and only Michelangelo.
Considering the apparent simplicity of this space (with all the symmetry and repetition of elements), I always wanted to revisit this project by immersing myself into it.
That is by recreating in a 3D model, to better understand the logic of the design and identifying the very peculiar proportions of the vestibule and the staircase.
My final result
The final 3D files in skp, 3dsmax and fbx format are on display there on my CG trader profile.
The most important thing in this project for me was to be as close as possible to the actual dimensions in the 3d modeling of the vestibule. It required a lot of guessing when recreating it in 3D, coming from old looking reference plans and sections, but after a few days of work I would say I’m pleased with what I ended up with :
Final render of the 3D model of Michelangelo’s library 
Final render of the 3D model of Michelangelo’s library 
Final render of the 3D model of Michelangelo’s library 
Final render of the 3D model of Michelangelo’s library 
Final render of the 3D model of Michelangelo’s library 
Final render of the 3D model of Michelangelo’s library 
Final render of the 3D model of Michelangelo’s library 
Final render of the 3D model of Michelangelo’s library 
Final render of the 3D model of Michelangelo’s library 
Final render of the 3D model of Michelangelo’s library
Along the way, it was also the occasion to learn a lot about modeling techniques in sketchup and render techniques in 3dsmax.
A few difficulties met on the modeling of the complexe shapes of the volutes around the staircase. Only possible in 3dsmax software, with the use of turbosmooth modifier and edit poly stacking, with the following result below :
This is the double upside I’m looking for when studying/recreating a project like this one.
Making of Michelangelo’s Library 3D model
For this project, I kept expanding on my custom method, the one I started with on my Casa de Papel model. The more accustomed I get to this method the faster I can get it done hopefully.
Step by step
1. Setting the objective : recreate the space as close as possible 
1. Setting the objective : turning 2D representations into a 3D model to be looked at with limitless possibilities 1. Setting the objective : recreate the space as close as possible 
1. Setting the objective : the overall space is more important than the shapes of singular elements. Those will be simplified. 
2. Making a reference image library : Pinterest board 
Choosing the base image for detailed drawing 
Aligning the image in Photoshop before importing into Autocad 
3. Drawing the 2D base in Autocad 
This is where adjustments have to be made to respect the logic of the design : symmetry, repetition in dimensions 
Using symmetry to only work on half the plans and sections 
3. Drawing the 2D base in Autocad 
3. 2D lines ready to import into SketchUp 
4. Sketchup file set up: units, base image, scale 
4. Sketchup file set up: units, base image, scale 
5. Modeling using components and layers 
6. Making efficient scenes using section cuts 
6. Making efficient scenes using layers visibility 
6. Making efficient scenes: the stairs’ working scene 
7. Final touch in Sketchup 
7. Final touch in Sketchup 
8. Importing from Sketchup into 3dsmax : layers management critical 
8. Importing from Sketchup into 3dsmax : keeping the layers as they are 
8. Importing from Sketchup into 3dsmax : keeping the layers as they are 
9. Cameras, materials, lighting 
10. Final renders on Vray : adjusting lightmix values 
10. Final renders on Vray : wireframe override 
10. Final renders on Vray : textures by layer 
10. Final renders on Vray : textures by layer 
10. Final renders on Vray : playing with materials 
10. Final renders on Vray : front view
- Setting the objective
- Making a reference image library
- Drawing the 2D base in Autocad
- Sketchup file set up: units, base image, scale
- Modeling using components and layers
- Making efficient scenes
- Final touch in Sketchup
- Importing from Sketchup into 3dsmax
- Cameras, materials, lighting
- Final renders on Vray
Timelapse video
Here’s a quick preview of the process of modeling the project in SketchUp, before importing it in 3dsmax and rendering it with Vray. 30 hours of modeling crammed into 1 hour timelapse video.
Conclusion
The Michelangelo Library 3D model project follows the same path than my previous ones, coming from 2D images to a lot of guessing (the fun part) and testing in 3D.
The digitalization of this space in SketchUp was tedious and hard, it was easy to lose myself on the way, especially on the stairs modeling and the 3dsmax importing transition.
Then it really began to take form once this was textured and lit in 3dsmax and Vray. Only then it started making the beautiful intricate parts of the design shine on the screen.
The magic of Michelangelo’s space started to appear, now in the palm of my hand. Sort of.
Now, on to the next one.