Centuries in Motion

“Centuries in Motion” is a virtual tour created for Sir William Borlase's Grammar School, transforming their 400th Anniversary Exhibition into an immersive historic showcase.

This project features a detailed 3D model showcasing the school’s historical evolution, allowing viewers to explore its past and present through advanced modelling and animation techniques.

Client

Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School

Tools and Techniques

Blender for 3D modelling and animation, custom textures created with Photoshop, colour grading in Davinci Resolve, timeline editing in Premiere Pro

Role

Modelling Animation Texturing Editing Motion Graphics

In September 2020, during the Covid pandemic, Borlase needed to devise a new way to showcase their annual Open Evening. Social distancing presented challenges to the usual format, so a video was created allowing our community to visit Borlase online. This innovation sparked new ideas for how the school could be presented in the future.

Introduction

Early Texturing

The main goal of 'Centuries in Motion' was to showcase the history of Sir William Borlase's Grammar School to current students and alumni. The project aimed to evoke memories for alumni and foster an appreciation for the school's evolution over time. The challenges included accurately modelling the school in various historical states, creating custom textures, and ensuring the animations were both engaging and informative.

Goals and Challenges

Clocktower Photoscan

With extensive research and development, we approached the project in sections, starting with the current site and working through each building. Custom textures were created where needed, using reference images to ensure accuracy. A significant challenge was developing faster methods to build the site without compromising on unique details. By utilising similar objects and techniques, we were able to speed up the process while maintaining the quality and distinctiveness of each element.

Approach and Creative Process