City of Tomorrow: Future City Update!
June 20th, 2013

Update: Our team at Video Copilot has created 2 high quality future buildings for the community-built future city pack. The image above was created with just 2 buildings so imagine what is possible with a few great submissions from you. I'll bet we could combine the futuristic buildings with some more modern buildings from Metropolitan for an amazing hybrid metropolis!

We're going to do our part and make a few more buildings but we'd love for you to be part of this project.
For a few more details check out the previous post to get started!

3D Specifications:

  • Medium to High resolution models
  • Maximum polygon count of 100K (Metropolitan buildings are around 20K Polys)
  • 3D Max, Cinema 4D, Maya, Blender, OBJ (quads)
  • Square texture maps 1k, 2k or up to 4k
  • Diffuse Map, Specular
  • Optional Maps: Illumination (The future is bright!)
  • JPG, PNG textures maps

Project Details
So recap, I had this idea was to make a free model pack of futuristic buildings and our team will package them all up together and host the download. Crazy idea, but so far we have got a ton of great interest and I'm ready to set a deadline!

Submission Deadline:
JULY 20th 2013

We'll create a little webpage for submissions and all that stuff next week!

Andrew Kramer
POSTED:
12 years ago
97 Comments
Niek
12 years ago
Andrew,

Do you have any update on this one?
I am also checking every week, but it seems nothing happens...

You are probably busy with other very exciting projects, but can you give us an indication about when we can expect the package?

Please, please keep us updated!

Thanks a lot for your very inspiring tutorials, I (we) love it!
Rick
12 years ago
Agreed with Niek on every word! I look forward to it!
Kit
12 years ago
I've been excited and checking back weekly since this was first anounced.... any rough guesses on an ETA ?
Steffen
12 years ago
City of Tomorrow: Future City Update!
'd appear when the 3D model up to now it is still nothing to watch
12 years ago
What ever happened to this?
12 years ago
You are the best!! It's a shame that you aren't in Argentina.
Derp McDerperson
12 years ago
We should just create one on our own at this point. He forgot about us
METÄ°N
12 years ago
perfectt ...you re my idol
Timato
12 years ago
A city that looks like a Oil refinery? No thanks...
ron
12 years ago
i hope the future would be surrounded by trees and eco-friendly skyscrapers...
Lucas
12 years ago
Any chance of an update or tweet about when to expect this? Looking forward to it. Thanks!!
Simon
12 years ago
Think we totally wasted our time creating 3D models for this as there was never a submission form

Good way to build respect within the community Andrew - Nice One!
FADANI
12 years ago
Amazing pack. 3D Element, speacaily metropolitan.... I tried this pack model and all the others, just wondering if you can make a destroyed cities or some cracked walls... You know cahotique scenes of war movies or war actions where it we'll be able to use the 3d models like helicopters, tanks
Ok... just idea i get, i did some like that with C4D... but still not profesional like this one, I mean all the packs here
prathamesh
12 years ago
when will your summer is oover Andrew sir ?

where is new model packs .. please we cant wait for this
12 years ago
Any updates on this awesome city pack?
Harold Kho
12 years ago
Oh Man! Just read this post. So wanted to contribute and be part of the Collective. Look forward to the pack though.
Renan Amagan
12 years ago
hi sir can you make a tutorial of virtual ads?
nika-21
12 years ago
amazing pack!when will it be downloadable
Victor Petrov
12 years ago
where is it Andrew!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! its past the dead line
almostdarkslide
12 years ago
Hello Mr Kramer, is the future still bright? It looks like the 20th of July is in the past... we miss you!
Tristan Barnard
12 years ago
Can't seem to find an upload link or page etc....
John Kammer
12 years ago
20 July came faster than I could have imagined and I only got a couple built. Meanwhile I can't find a reference to the upload site? Anyone? Beuhler?
Caleb
12 years ago
So does anyone know where the submission form is, since they are due tomorrow?
12 years ago
Looking for that submission page.....
Jun Aguelo
12 years ago
The end is near for the futuristic city.
12 years ago
was able to get 5 models just need to work on getting the texture sheets refined and a little poly clean up can see them all here http://majorfx.com/Future-city
victor petrov
12 years ago
omg you are amazing my friend
12 years ago
Where do we post submissions?
Drael
12 years ago
Hi,
A friend of mine who is a up-coming musician asked me to do a video for him. So since I've been doing a lot of tutorials from here, I used Metropolitan and also built a 'MASSIVE' city in 3D max with some unique buildings.

He made a quick 'in progress' video to show how things are going. Mistakenly, he mentions that some of the building we're all built by me, which of course they are not. He didn't realise.

But I'd like people to check out the proccess. Some of the building I have in the main city could be used for this future pack, if you like the Andrew?

Also, I'd like to shout out to my friend, Rusheffect. If you like his music, follow him on Twitter, his website and soundcloud. Enjoy. And thanks Andrew for an excellent recourse through this site.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyK2nW2sEGI

www.rusheffect.com

https://soundcloud.com/rusheffect

There are some great free music downloads there too
Eric Lin
12 years ago
Anyone who knows Homeworld 2
someone apparently rip the model obj with the texture, I tested, works nicely with element 3d, they are game model so it's not very high poly, but just for fun to play around with it
http://www.orbithangar.com/download.php?ID=4026
I don't own the model so I suggest you don't use it for any commercial purpose, since they belong to the game company that made this.
here is a test image:
http://www.ttyi.net/images/battle_cruiser_test.jpg
B. Moye
12 years ago
Will you have to have purchased Metropolitan City Pack in order to use these futuristic city models in Element 3D..?
12 years ago
My progress so far. It's still very ruff, some Details are missing and the texturing is going to be a hard one

http://www.rovermonkey.com/vcp/fcity_01.jpg
http://www.rovermonkey.com/vcp/fcity_02.jpg
Drael
12 years ago
Andrew? Is this still on?
I'm a professional videogame developer, and have been working on a building in my spare time to submit. I'm away next week until past the deadline date, so need to be able to submit my work by the 12th July, yet there is still no news.

Understand you are very busy, just an update would be most welcomed.
Thanks.
12 years ago
Maybe this project is abandon.
Fede
12 years ago
Is this project still on?
kipster
12 years ago
so... where is the official uploading area? "we will make a website next week" didnt really pan out.
12 years ago
This is a fantastic idea and a large part of what motivated me to finally purchase Element and Metropolitan. Thank you for setting this up, and thanks to everyone who contributes!

Can I suggest maybe some more color in the buildings? For example, neon accents and digital signage with abstract patterns (I'm not sure if there's a way to make that animate, but that would be cool). Maybe some billboards where we can add our own image or video advert. It's good to see that Andrew made some circular buildings, and really odd shapes are good, too!

Again, thanks! I'm just now starting to learn how to work with Element and C4D and I hope that I'll eventually be able to contribute something to a future pack.
Vinnie K
12 years ago
The digital signage option could be animated like the way the iPhone screen image was animated in an earlier blog item.

The only thing what needs to be done is that the screen image of the digital signage is one single imag for that layer.

Than you can upload a video and set it as a textured layer in E3D.

That would be very awesome....

imagine 5th in the 21st century with you own animation...!!!!!

Vinnie K.
Vinnie K
12 years ago
What i ment to say:

" Imagine 5th Avenue in the 21st century with you own animation...!!!!!

Vinnie K.
DHRUV
12 years ago
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7k0vwmvL5w4
AMAZING INDIA HD LOGO
MUST WASH !
PLEASE SUGGEST SOME MODIFICATION !
THANKS!
daryl
12 years ago
Oooh! Can't wait! Looks fantastic. Thanks!
prathamesh
12 years ago
this is my random model collection v2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaA-CzYUiEY&list=LLdHeQs95tVITWxSLEqtNdvQ&feature=mh_lolz

check my other models also
12 years ago
Here is my exclusive project !!!!! A remake of the Knife Teaser with Projectfiles to download !!! Dont forget to subscribe

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmoWc-59BEA

NativeVFX
12 years ago
Here is my exclusive project !!!!! A remake of the Knife Teaser with Projectfiles to download !!! Dont forget to subscribe

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmoWc-59BEA

NativeVFX
Victor Petrov
12 years ago
very nice andrew but might i suggest a building that has lots of glass. I found that the buildings that had more glass looked the most realistic. hope you read this
Thor
12 years ago
I could help making props for the city, because Im not really an architect..
prathamesh
12 years ago
this is my Animal model pack . it realy nice check this out . and also check my other models for element 3d

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzpxKFbREkI
romilton11
12 years ago
realmente incrivel mas eu seu um amador mas gosto muinto de efeitos espesiais tanto que procuro asistir filmes como os vingadores captão america homem de ferro e etc... onde não falta efeitos espesiais mas eu peso por favor fasa uma espesie de quiti bazico de efeitos 3D peso iso porque tenho o after efects mais procuro fazer efeitos do melhor geito posivel obrigado
Shawn Miller
12 years ago
This is a great idea, Andrew. Could you also use some CG spherical panoramas?

Thanks,

Shawn
Shawn Miller
12 years ago
Uhhh... skies that is, CG skies.

Shawn
Hooman
12 years ago
i have already created one with all stuff . so can i send the model to your site Email mr kramer ?!
Erik Aaron
12 years ago
i made a few already and then it dawned on me. Can we use STUDENT version software for this?
solidframe
12 years ago
Where can I post my models/progress/etc?
NanD
12 years ago
Finally we have a deadline date was looking for it.
One question though. Don't you want bump maps for the buildings?
12 years ago
It's hard to post any progress on that project, when all of your comments are being recognized as spam
12 years ago
VFX Breakdooooooown by NativeVFX

http://youtu.be/Pgz2dvEbwmI

NativeVFX
Simon Powers
12 years ago
Here's my draft starter. Still loads to do on it - Detailing, Texturing etc

http://i40.tinypic.com/2qsqluw.png

Any positive criticism welcome
12 years ago
Hi Andrew and VC crew!

I would love to share my original sci-fi buildings with you!
Couple months ago I was working on a personal project where I wanted to create a helicopter from the Halo series flying on a futuristic BG.
For this I created a lot of CG buildings in a sort of procedural way to be painted in Photoshop later on.

Here is the link to my project:
http://kaminariartworks.blogspot.ca/2013/04/facp-halo-unsc-falcon-project.html

Anyway. If you want take a look to the project I did and if you think my buildings can be useful for this idea let me know!
Warren
12 years ago
doooood! that was so cool! those bldgs would make a helluva sweet contribution!!! very generous offer!
lasse
12 years ago
I hope to see something similar to Blade Runner here
That would be awsome
Daniel Browne
12 years ago
Hi Andrew i would love to chip in on this group project after all you have given us... is there any chance you and the VC team could texture my models i send to you, i cant seem to un-rap and texture them in UV mode to save my life.

cheers
thbellucci
12 years ago
I am working on a model, does it need to be all quads or can there be some tris???
12 years ago
Can somebody please create the NYC Twin Towers ?
Henry
12 years ago
Here's a little more inspiration: http://features.cgsociety.org/newgallerycrits/g59/234759/234759_1255512677_large.jpg
The bridges are very cool.
prathamesh
12 years ago
waw bridges are realy nice idea
HOJO OKWUDIRI
12 years ago
I LIKE THIS ANDREW CRAMER. I WANT TO KNOW IT LIKE U PLS
Emmanunel
12 years ago
This is awesome, i love, really futuristic.... the texturing is awesome... weldone!
Smileski
12 years ago
Hey Andrew, this is cool I would like to join but I'm not good at texturing, which program do you use to make diffuse texture? (To be correct on the object)?
carlos alexandre
12 years ago
Someone answer me because my modelas exported from blender, textures do not work within the 3D Element
Trevor Powers
12 years ago
they need to be an .OBJ file
Shawn
12 years ago
Looks great! I just have to find the time to do some modeling. Really neat what can be done with just two buildings. Others have asked several times about ruined buildings. Would they be acceptable? I don't think I have the skills to model them, but not all futures are as blue and techy as yours, Andrew.
Joel
12 years ago
How about models of bridges well in this case futurist ones ? I would make one but I cant model. Maybe someone else could do it? I think its a great idea since we don't have any.
Matin
12 years ago
Love em!
In the futuristic cities we will need good reflection maps, sometimes reflection maps don't match that good with the scene, I suggest if you can add the SSAO (Screen Space Ambien Occlusion) Then I believe you also can add Screen Space Reflections. That'd be great!
I also have an idea for the environment maps that they could use illumination maps, for more realistic reflections. Thanks so much man, we all appreciate it.
Neo420
12 years ago
I was working on something like this before & left in between... Here is the render image

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/9752/lu61.jpg
Gay James
12 years ago
Andrew we want vehicle model pack first please
12 years ago
Sir
I just want to say "THANKS A LOT"
12 years ago
I love this project for a futuristic city. Another thing I would totally love is wood textures in my pro-shaders.
Sinus
12 years ago
Just a question: can't we include normalmap o bumpmap?
anyx
12 years ago
Great idea,

Maybe if you put a little tutorial about your 2 buildings conception, many people could help...
Rhys
12 years ago
Looks amazing Andrew!
Tom Crotty
12 years ago
Hey Andrew, I would happily submit something, but I live in Australia, and my final year of high school is really heating up, and I'm afraid I have no incentive to contribute to this. Perhaps there could be some kind of reward for entries? Maybe 5% discounts on some content if you submit anything, maybe 15-20% for entries that make it into the final version?
12 years ago
It looks like a cinematic trailer with downloadable projectfiles !!!
Check up

http://youtu.be/47H6OHN__xU


NativeVFX
reza irani
12 years ago
Hey Andrew...what's up about E3d v2 ?do you have a Specific date to update? give us a good news.
12 years ago
Hey, I tried to submit previews to previous post, but probably your Spam filter removed the links.
When Submit Page will be available and what will be guidelines for 3d models organization?

Thanks.
Haggai
12 years ago
As future city is being updated, I believe that in future Element 3D will be able to Model, Rig and Animate 3D models all inside of AE... Thanks to Kramer
12 years ago
Actually, it's not really that hard to create futuristic buildings, even for people who don't have advanced CGI modeling skills.
In fact, you just need lots of creativity.
For example: Take a look at the cylinder-like building.
The gamers would probably think that the building kinda looks like a Flashbang or so.

So what I'm saying is, you could even use weapon props or any little object people would normally notice on a weapon or on a vehicle, and you could give it some more specific detail to make it look like a futuristic building!

Hope it helped
Paul Smith
12 years ago
Sorry i also use 3ds max
Paul Smith
12 years ago
Hi Andrew. will it be possible for you to make a short basic tutorial on how to texture and save the models. i would realy like to be a part of this and don't want to mess it up.
12 years ago
Hi Andrew, all
As well as a futuristic city could we also work on maybe a runied city/post apololyptic city.
Thanks
rezvan
12 years ago
hey andrew , does it matter what renderer do i use for my models ? vray or mental ray ?
Kevin C
12 years ago
I'm guessing there are not a lot of planes or flying cars in the future. All of those antennas would be dangerous. Looks good though.
mike
12 years ago
I thought the obj have to be exported in triangles before using it in element 3D but here i see quads.
Tom
12 years ago
I'm very much looking forward to this release, and I'd love to submit some work to it!
James
12 years ago
Those are beautiful...
Malcolm King
12 years ago
I'd love to submit something but I use Lightwave, and i'm not sure that my UVs will carry over with my OBJ's. Will this be a problem? Speaking of, are there limitations as to how we UV map our textures? And also, do we have to model with subdivisional surfaces off?

Thanks!
Damon Lemke
12 years ago
Hey Andrew, Can we model smaller things such as street lights or maybe the odd UFO?
Kevin
12 years ago
Amazing..... When can we expect an Element update for AE CC?
12 years ago
I cannot wait for this! It's a seriously brilliant idea!
12 years ago
Very nice. Good stuff to get the rest of us motivated!
12 years ago
Vehicles takes time to model.
12 years ago
I have more ideas and because of that, I still have to start modelling. I got the deadline.
monproduction
12 years ago
Andrew we want nature pack to , with animals and trees .. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_gYhE7wel8
Monproduction
12 years ago
#Forever alone
bwoogie
12 years ago
Would still love a tutorial XD
12 years ago
There is no doubt that Andrew will deliver a very good intro/tutorial to this thing. Videocopilot has actually never dissapointed which is very rare these days! We should all be very thankful for that!
Ashley Hakker
12 years ago
But what about the vehicles pack(s)? A lot of us are dying for info on that.
12 years ago
That pack will be later this year and the aircrafts this Summer. Can't spoil the details but they are very high quality models...
James
12 years ago
I have NO doubt they will be very high quality....which is why I am waiting for yours...(I need a commercial airliner, I'm assuming that's gonna be in there?)
prathamesh
12 years ago
but andrew sir we want vehicle model pack first pleaase
Darren
12 years ago
but...it is already the Summer.......
James
12 years ago
prathamesh....no no no.. we definitely want the aircrafts first.
WM
12 years ago
Aircrafts 1st! Still waiting on that heli from Element 3D training and private and commercial jets would be clutch. I work in Aviation.
12 years ago
No no no! We want that plugin that composites everything for you with one big button first. In fact - instead of the button can't we just have voice control? Buttons are way too much work dude -_-
Clay
12 years ago
Andrew,
Why do you make us wait???? Give us something How about a teaser trailer for the aircraft? You could do this in 10 minutes!!
prathamesh
12 years ago
but i want vehicle pack first cuz car texturing is so hard .
there is lots of material . .
make some trailer Andrew sir . dont make us wait please
prathamesh
12 years ago
when will your summer is oover Andrew sir ?

where is new model packs .. please we cant wait for this
12 years ago
Andrew i hope this will be the Future!
fan
12 years ago
I hope not!
Ryan
12 years ago
Woooah, Looks awesome!