Archi-Me - Launches to Transform 3D CAD Models (?)

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To be honest we are always a little skeptical of press releases and tend not to post direct quotes as they often simply over-hype a product. As such it is with interest that we find the following:

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MOOFU, a fast-growing UK company focusing on emerging technology, emerging markets and emerging people, today announces the launch of Archi-Me, a new solution that enables designers to create fully interactive avatar-based virtual environments from 3D CAD models.

Archi-Me changes the way designers and clients imagine, visualise and test projects by creating high-quality environments that people can explore in much the same way as in a computer game, with an avatar and user-friendly interface.

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The clip below details the system:

The clip is not all that impressive and the with systems based around Unity or OpenSim via the ArchNetwork it looks like Archi-Me has a lot to live up to - but as the press release carries on -

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MOOFU has launched Archi-Me after receiving an exceptional response to calls for early adopters from companies in the UK, USA, India, Italy and New Zealand. The technical team has created stunning virtual environments for schools, recreation buildings and a luxury villa.

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Perhaps we have got the wrong end of the stick on this one but we cant see designers using the system with the current state of the avatars/lighting compared to others on the market (?)

See www.archi-me.com for full details.

Feel free to agree or disagree via the comments....

realXtend: SketchUp and Dynamic Shadows in a Virtual World

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The image above by Visibuild, a host and solutions provider for the AEC industries, is running in realXtend, currently in early phase alpha, it is a platform to watch. The main attraction for us here at digital urban of realXtend is the ability to import models via Revit, ArchiCAD, SketchUp, 3DMax etc, something that Second Life still lacks in any quick and easy form.

The technology demo below provides an insight into the possibilities:



With a notable rendering quality, combined with the dynamic shade and shadows, realXtend creates an interesting and comparably low-cost way to experience an architectural design.

If you are at all interested in Virtual Architecture we recommend a trip over to The Arch Network, set up by Jon Brouchoud it focuses on the communication of architecture via Virtual Worlds. We will be taking a closer look at realXtend while our development using Unity is put on hold (our Mac was stolen).

The Unity work will return as soon we get a replacement laptop sorted and our files restored via Time Machine.

See The Arch Network for more details on SketchUp models running in realXtend.

Digital Urban City Exhibition Space: Downloadable Preview

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The following exhibition space is a proof of concept, looking at the ability to share and display city datasets and simulations within an interactive game engine. Available for download on both the PC and Mac (intel) platforms the space is the result of a few days work with the Unity Engine, it is intended to be viewed in the spirit of development rather than a completed product.

The room includes our first 'crowd and delegate' models direct from 3D Max, created as basic wander and avoid simulations they provide the building blocks of emergent behaviour within the cityscape.

City wide data sets can to be honest be very 'dry', the whole point of digital urban is to look at new ways to outreach, visualise and ultimately communicate urban data. The ability to include 3D models via ESRI ArcScene is a notable step forward, pictured below is the retail and office space in London measured on a 500m grid. We note some polygon issues here but these are known and we think we have a way to fix them - its to do with the way ArcScene exports, the model forms the centre of the exhibition space:

The room features various architectural models, including the Swiss Re building and the GLA in London, it also features a number of our latest output movies, the London LiDAR and Second Life Agents are of particular note.

The model is, as we mentioned, proof of concept, the next step is the addition of themed rooms and a more organised structure. We think the concept of virtual exhibition spaces is a strong one, so as ever any comments are most welcome, if you would also like to know how any of it was done just ask, as is the spirit of digital urban.

Download the model for Windows XP/Visa (221 Mb zip file)

Unzip the file, open the folders and run the Exhibition1.exe file.

Download the model for Mac (Intel) (222 Mb zip file)

Extract and simply run the .dmg file.

We recommend running the application in 'Window' mode at 1024 x 768: use the mouse to look around, W/S move forwards/backwards, Space to jump, click and drag the digital urban cube to throw it around...

30 Days in ActiveWorlds: The Story

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30 Days in ActiveWorlds was a project aimed at documenting the development of a virtual environment from the beginning to end, the point where a plot of virgin land would develop into a community with a urban layout.

In a sense the project was similar to an early days 'Big Brother' in that the community was watched and logged 24 hours a day with webcams beamed around the world showing the latest activity.

In the days long before Second Life it provided an early look at life, love and architecture in a virtual world. Read the full story in the paper 30 Days in ActiveWorlds - Community, Design and Terrorism in a Virtual World (pdf link)