British Museum Sketchup + Vray

'SketchUcation' is one of my favourite site to learn about Google Sketchup. I found a tutorial about curvy roof which was talking about British museum roof, http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=24305

(not my picture)

In the tutorial, we need few plugins and I was really confused how to use them like the person did. So I just tried to make it without the plugins. 

First of all, we need to draw one circle which is going to be the centre one. Then, make other bigger circles one by one. There are two things you have to be careful. In Sketchup, you draw circles but it is not round circles we normally think. They are circles which are composed by straight lines.

Click the right button on the line of the circle, then choose 'Divide' option which you can decide the number of lines on the circle. The left circle above is 10 and the right one is 100. I used 36 like the person in the reference tutorial. By using 36 lines, we can get a end points on each axes, red & green. Think about a clock then could be easier to understand.

Another thing is that you have to use 'Offset' function to make the other bigger circles rather than making them from the same centre point. If you make the circle using second option, the direction of the point on the circles are random, also you might have to divide individually.

After drawing the circles, we are making the three lines which are the base line of the roof structure. One straight line and two curve lines. The two curve lines are exactly the same but opposite side. They are drawn by following the points on the circles in diagonal way. You will get very nice round shape :D

Anyway, we have to make walls based on the three lines. Draw a new line between the ends of curved lines and pull the surface up. Then, delete the parallel line of the new line. 

The height doesn't need to be specified but has to be taller than the bread shape part we will make. One tip is making the parts. Whenever I make an object, I always make it as a group. It makes everything separated and tidy.

Using the same circles, we have to make a model which is the shape of the roof. The angle of the roof is totally up to you but if you choose a crazy shape, then it might make you crazy too. So I chose very a simple one.

Delete the side vertical lines and leave leave the curved top part. Now, we have to combine the two parts, then click the right button on your mouse and select 'Intersect faces'. When you choose 'with model', new line are coming up on the intersection part between two parts.

After getting rid of two parts, you will see the new lines which is exactly the same shape as the previous three lines but now they are curve following the bread shape part.

Draw any shape at the end of the main lines. This shape will be the shape of the roof frame. I put square on the picture at the begging but circle this time. Drag the circle following the line using 'follow me' tool. I love this tool. It's really useful to make any continuous thing such as door frame, skirting.

Turn and copy the tree line component using 'Rotate' tool. Use the centre point and the points on the any circle because they have the same divided points. You can use default tools or plugin tools to copy them.

Lastly, render the model with Vray and Taraaa!

This ceiling shape is not exactly the same as what I want but still I have learn the basic principle of the structure. British museum roof structure is little bit more difficult and complicated because they are circle inside and square outside. I have been working out how to do that but unfortunately haven't made them yet. Hopefully I can post the structure soon. If you know how to do on Sketchup, PLEASE let me know :)