Observation Skills and CG - An Introduction to Computer Graphics for Artists - page 45

Fig. 3.3 Two ways to make a
gradient are obviously
different in close-up, but less
easily spotted in normal
conditions unless carefully
observed

Fig. 3.4 This mosque detail
is made of 3D sections that
only repeat in specifi c
combinations with other
modular pieces. To discover
these relationships requires
careful attention to detail

3.3.3 Scale

Large-scale objects tend to be diffi cult to interpret, just as extremely small scale
objects are diffi cult to measure. If you look at a modern jet airplane, you will see
that almost every part of it is curved. No matter what part you look at, it curves away
from you. Plan drawings for the same plane will reveal that the largest sections are
totally straight. The error in seeing curves where curves don't exist comes from a
couple of factors combined: fi rst, airplanes are so large that they cannot be viewed
in one glance unless from a great distance. Up close, every straight edge is beveled
to the point where it has a graceful curve running its entire length. This contributes
to the overall impression of a great many curves, and can result in incorrect models
if you don't pay careful attention.
Because of the inherent diffi culty of non-human scale objects, it is a good idea to
have some way to double-check your observations. For large objects this might be
satellite photos, contour maps, or site plans. For extremely small objects, you may
have to rely on microscopic photographs or extremely sensitive measuring instru-
ments, like a digital micrometer.