Dutfield's Yard Video

[richardh]

Couldn't the killer have hidden himself in the privy toilets or even just in the dark spot between the toilets and the back of the No.42? that way he could slip out of the yard between the stationary cart and No42 while the cart driver's attention was on the body.

Good point, Robert. Hearing the approach of the horse and cart, I've always pictured the killer flattening himself against the wall, pushing the right-hand gate away from the wall perhaps 5-6 inches, and slipping sideways into the opening as far as possible. Diemschutz's attention was fixed on Stride's body, and in the darkness he likely wouldn't notice the killer's profile against the dark wall. The width of the cart would be important to know, I guess, but if Jack was interrupted by Diemschutz (as I believe he was), he could have pushed the gate slightly open to conceal himself after the cart had passed through. Perhaps it was this movement, and not the presence of the body, that caused Diemschutz's pony to shy away.

John

[The Good Michael]

It is my opinion that Dutfield's Yard is the most important piece to iron out. The more we understand its dimensions and little hideyholes and passages, the more we may lose any certainty we may have had that the same killer of Nichols, Chapman and others wasn't at work here. Also, one could also conjecture the ease with which a club member or cottage-dweller (often the same) could have mingled, washed up a bit, and mingles again. Or how someone could have killed, heard a cart approach and easily avoid discovery. I eagerly look forward to the refinements and suggest that Richard should present his model(s) at the JTR conference. This kind of thing is groundbreaking.

Mike

[Dr. John Watson]

Great work Richard.

Now, this is a big ask : is it possible for you to show one of the doors ajar in the way it would be if someone were hiding behind it, allowing for the width of the pony and cart?

Good point, Robert. Hearing the approach of the horse and cart, I've always pictured the killer flattening himself against the wall, pushing the right-hand gate away from the wall perhaps 5-6 inches, and slipping sideways into the opening as far as possible. Diemschutz's attention was fixed on Stride's body, and in the darkness he likely wouldn't notice the killer's profile against the dark wall. The width of the cart would be important to know, I guess, but if Jack was interrupted by Diemschutz (as I believe he was), he could have pushed the gate slightly open to conceal himself after the cart had passed through. Perhaps it was this movement, and not the presence of the body, that caused Diemschutz's pony to shy away.

John

[Damaso Marte]

Thank you for the kind comments and encouragment.

I have managed to narrow the yard and still maintain a match with goad's maps - I have to admit that I was a bit off with the positioning of the buildings on the right hand side. Also I have adjusted the height of the buildings.

Question:
Are you happy with the doors/windows configurations of the left & right yard buildings?
Is the grating in the right place? (it is according to Hutchinson's Dutfield's yard photo of 1909).
What about the toilet block?
Should the vids be silent or 'talkies'?
Should the vids be B/W and scratched or clean and coloured (or both)?

I'll get to work on ver2 which will improve the textures and add proper doors and windows in place of the (temporary) shutters.

And yes, once I've finished on Dutfield's Yard I will start on the next location. I think I'll not revisit Miller's Court yet as I've done lots on that location already. Maybe Hanbury? what do you think?

definitely talkie

[Dr. John Watson]

Thank you for the kind comments and encouragment.
Question:

Is the grating in the right place? (it is according to Hutchinson's Dutfield's yard photo of 1909).
What about the toilet block?
Should the vids be silent or 'talkies'?
Should the vids be B/W and scratched or clean and coloured (or both)?

And yes, once I've finished on Dutfield's Yard I will start on the next location. I think I'll not revisit Miller's Court yet as I've done lots on that location already. Maybe Hanbury? what do you think?

Richard! You've done a fantastic job! For the first time, I could actually enter the yard and walk around - and I still don't know how you managed to do that with only a bare-bones map and a photo taken from the street! I'm amazed at the accuracy and detail of your model, even to the loo. Frankly, there's not much I would change, except perhaps the location of the grating: It seems to me one of the witnesses (either constable or doctor) recorded that Stride's feet as almost touched the edge of the open gate, and that the grating was close to her head. I tried to picture her body in that position, and I wonder if the grate shouldn't be a little further away from the door and closer to the open gate? I'll try to find that testimony, along with her height, and see if that helps. I personally like the black and white version, although color would certainly enhance things; why not do a colorized version, then leave it up to the viewer to photo-shop a black-white version if desired? I would also lighten it up and make it a daylight view. As for adding sound, I wouldn't, and I would think clean instead of scratched. For your next project, I'd vote for Hanbury - I don't think anyone has gotten that exactly right, especially the position of the body vis-a-vis the steps and fence. I've always thought the witness who sat on the door sill fixing his shoe couldn't see the body because the open door blocked his view of the area between the steps and fence. Although the victim's feet likely protruded beyond the steps, they would have been nearly invisible in the early morning darkness unless you made a point of looking.

Forgive the long-winded post - your skill and attention to accuracy and detail assures that whatever project you undertake, it will be a great success.

John

[richardh]

Rob, Do you mean the gate? (the one with the Dutfield's Yard signage?)

Great work Richard.

Now, this is a big ask : is it possible for you to show one of the doors ajar in the way it would be if someone were hiding behind it, allowing for the width of the pony and cart?

[Robert]

Great work Richard.

Now, this is a big ask : is it possible for you to show one of the doors ajar in the way it would be if someone were hiding behind it, allowing for the width of the pony and cart?

[richardh]

Thank you for the kind comments and encouragment.

I have managed to narrow the yard and still maintain a match with goad's maps - I have to admit that I was a bit off with the positioning of the buildings on the right hand side. Also I have adjusted the height of the buildings.

Question:
Are you happy with the doors/windows configurations of the left & right yard buildings?
Is the grating in the right place? (it is according to Hutchinson's Dutfield's yard photo of 1909).
What about the toilet block?
Should the vids be silent or 'talkies'?
Should the vids be B/W and scratched or clean and coloured (or both)?

I'll get to work on ver2 which will improve the textures and add proper doors and windows in place of the (temporary) shutters.

And yes, once I've finished on Dutfield's Yard I will start on the next location. I think I'll not revisit Miller's Court yet as I've done lots on that location already. Maybe Hanbury? what do you think?

[Caligo Umbrator]

I've completed a first version 3D walk-around of Dutfield's Yard. I've put it on youtube and I'd like feedback on the layout of the cottages /toilets/design etc. The voice over is a bit crap but I wanted to show how the final version will look once I've got everything satisfactory. The intention is to create a piece of 'film' that depicts a home movie of someone walking around the real yard.

Once I get feedback I can continue to improve the accuracy of the layout and then create a final realistic video.

Here's the link:

YouTube Dutfield's Yard Ver1

Hope you like.

Hello, Richard.
Full compliments to you for this work.
I do a bit of 3d work myself but nothing like this. From your earlier posts I understand you only started on this about 3 weeks ago.
The modeling and texture on this dutfields yard video look fantastic.
I see on your blog you have some interior shots in colour.
This isn't a criticism, rather a compliment in a way - would you be able to do all the work you've done so far in colour?
I realise there may be aesthetic reasons for desaturating and adding grain, as it gives it the look of a movie/photograph taken at the time. I feel colour could add some real insight.
Anyway, keep up the good work and thank you.
Caligo.

[Cogidubnus]

Great job Richard and very helpful...my only minor criticism might be the quality of the yard surface back in 1888...but thanks anyway...as others have said, it's pretty extensive isn't it...wonder if it'd feel much more confined in the dark?

All the best

Dave

[bladen7273.]

Very nice Richard! You did a good job. I think being able to see the location like this really opens up the minds eye.

You wouldn't by chance have any other murder sites would you?

Carl

[SirJohnFalstaff]

Excellent work!

While there was no direct escape route, you can see how the murderer could have hide for a little while and just come out after several bystanders had shown up, and quietly leave. Possibly...

[Damaso Marte]

This was very helpful. I was amazed at how wrong my mind's vision of the murder scene was!

[paul g]

You tube.

Really good found it so revealing.

Only request is could you do one for every murder site of the canonical five.

[Peter Griffith aka gryff]

I've completed a first version 3D walk-around of Dutfield's Yard.
...
Hope you like.

Very nice richard - I really like the texturing. What is the polygon count?

Did I run across you on the Unity forums? A model of Miller's court?

cheers, gryff