While we've had medieval ones, they all seem to be fortress in nature rather than fantastical. It would be great to see a construction set where one could have separate walls, towers, spires, gargoyles, pulpits, etc, like one sees in all of the classic fantasy storybook castle images. Zippy had a great castle as an example of what I mean, but have it as a construction set so you could build any type castle you might need for a scene. I thought about trying to do this myself, but I think it's a bit beyond my capabilities...

Great idea!I second the motion on this one...maybe more storybook like than realistic...A place where Rapunzel could really let down her hair.:)

Hi. I've given your idea a lot of thought. There is one problem that is impossible, at present, to resolve, and that is the poor quality lighting in Poser. The problem is that Poser can light a fixed castle model fairly well, but the more one divides a building up into sections, the more problems there are with the lighting as Poser then has a nasty habit of adding shadows at section borders where there aren't any. This is not a problem with more sophisticated 3D software, but it is a headache with Poser. I would also add that Poser is very memory greedy and the more castle sections you add the slower the software gets. This is something that can only, possibly, be remedied as computers get more powerful in future years. Personally, I prefer buildings that are authentic in both look and structure. In practice this means that it is important to remember that castles were built to a plan, usually a defensive plan and so every door and window had a reason for being there and it is very difficult to construct lots of alternative sections to provide variety without getting lost in architectural complexity. I guess that I'm trying to say that such a project is beyond both my computer and my modelling ability, but that doesn't mean to say that I won't ever make more castles, but they will be fixed designs.

I've had fairly good luck in poser getting rid of unwanted shadows by going to object properties and setting the piece so it doesn't cast shadows...ie getting rid of structure shadows that fall on the backdrop such as a sky. I understand the limit of hardware and software. I did a Halloween scene and then couldn't render it because I didn't have enough memory.:( I realize what I was wishing for may not be realistic in terms of actual medieval construction, those kinds of castles I have, but sometimes want to engage in pure fantasy...the storybook kind.:) Perhaps it would be possible to do addons to existing paks..I have no idea if this is feasible..but it doesn't hurt to wish.:)

Attached Link: http://www.renderosity.com/freestuff.ez?Form.Contrib=derjimi&Topsectionid=0

Thanks Jimi! I think it's an excellent start and plan to put it to use soon as I redo my system:) I'm running out of harddrive room so have to make space.:) Thanks so much!

Have you looked at the castle construction kit in the marketplace? It seems to do everything you are asking for, but I can't tell if it is the right style, or within the price range that would work for you. The summary is at:
http://market.renderosity.com/softgood.ez?ViewSoftgood=12680
I've been looking for a product project and would consider doing up a fantay castle kit for the marketplace, but not as featured as the item linked above, but with a different style perspective (and at a lower price).

Thanks for the info Folded, but I already have Lord Warrior's Castle Kit and it's excellent for realistic type renders. I think what we are really missing is a fantasy type castle, something reminescent of fairytales in design but with the light and airy look of Camelot with a dash of Aladdin....LOL...don't ask for much do I? :) I'll see if I can find a pic of something close.

Something like this? (Found this through google image search...)

oh that one is great!

Well I have the idea then. Now to see if I can make a go at it. (I deleted the picture as I wasn't sure of it's copyright status.)

I understand that.:) Can't wait to see how it goes.

I really like the spires! Looks like you're up and running full tilt with this.:) Can't wait to see the rest.

Sorry, I didn't get back to the thread before this. Actually lost track of it. The Castle Construction Kit in marketplace is a bit too fortress for the uses I need. I am looking for something much more storybook. George's Castle in Free Stuff was a pretty good example, but wasn't what I was thinking of. I didn't get a chance to see the reference pic Folded, but that looks pretty good...

Thanks Derjimi, will check out your Tower Kit!