The next level of 3D Animation

December 25, 2007


If Jos Stam has his way, 3D animation will soon be subject to all the laws of physics. Waves crashing, leaves blowing in the breeze and candles flickering will be as random and realistic as they appear in real life.

Jos Stam is one of the lead developers for Autodesk, the software company that produces Maya, the world’s leading 3D modeling software. Maya is responsible for many of the special effects in modern movies as well as some of the 3D animation seen in 3D Walkthroughs and Interactive 3D presentations.

Stams, newest concept, a module for Maya called Nucleus, would involve teaching visual effects software all the fundamental laws of physics and then letting it do the grunt work for you. Think of it as a unified field theory for animation — the animator can simply plug in the variables:

Wind speed: 25 knots
Wave height: 7 feet
Ship’s mass: 46,000 tons
Ocean depth: 7,000 feet

The result would be a totally realistic animation of waves crashing over a ship in gale force winds.

Additional details might include air and water temperature, time of day (for lighting effects), wind direction, etc. With the parameters set, hit Enter and voilá — the software would crunch the numbers and spit out the finished scene. At least, that’s the theory. In practice, while algorithms for individual components (fire, water) already exist, integrating them all together has proven to be hideously complicated.

Source: Wired.com

An article in Wired.com describes Stam’s effort in more details and gives more examples of how Nucleus, once completed, could change the future of animation as we know it. It even points out the irony that would exists for film makers if Nucleus was successful. As effects produced by this module would be subject to the laws of physics, they would be as random as they exist in the real world, and hard to control when filming a scene.

3Dwalkthroughs.com will be following the developments of this module as it offers our entire industry a new way of taking all of our 3D products to the next level of realism.

The full article can be found here>>>


3D Window Display Created from a Wii Controller

December 22, 2007


3Dwalkthroughs.com has just started looking into how the Nintendo Wii Controller can be used to help improve the experience when navigating through a 3D Walkthrough or Interactive 3D Floor Plan.

Imagine being able to control the view of a 3D Walkthrough simply by turning your head. We recently came across a post on Gizmodo.com that describes how this might become possible.

Johnny Chung Lee, a PhD student from Carnegie Mellon University has created a headtracking device which he calls the Wiimote. The wiimote creates an amazing 3D view which chnages as you turn your head or lean to the left or right.

The effect requires you to wear a sensor bar (or any IR-emitting headband) and place the Wiimote by the screen. Essentially, your head becomes the mouse which controls the 3D view on the screen. One of the drawbacks of this method is that only one person can view the effect at a time. For gamers this might be a problem, but for the purposes of interacting with a 3D Walkthrough this might be a great solution.

Our creative team will put this on our punch list for 2008.

The You Tube video describing the Chung Lee’s device can be found here>>

For other interesting projects that Johnny Chung Lee is involved with please click here>>>


Nassau Physicians Foundation

December 21, 2007

3Dwalkthroughs.com is proud to announce that our interactive services division, Launchsight Solutions, has been selected to build a website for the Nassau Physicians Foundation.

The Nassau Physicians Foundation was started by Dr. Bilha Fish, founder of the Pathways Women’s Health. PWH was established as a division of Manhasset Diagnostic Imaging in 1995, and due to its success has recently relocated to a new 7500 square foot contiguous facility.

Pathways Women’s Health offers the newest technology in diagnostic testing in a peaceful & aesthetically pleasing atmosphere that was created with the intention of easing the stress many confront while waiting for testing & results. This unique center also celebrates women & their creativity by exhibiting artwork of female artists from the Long Island area & has a psychotherapist on staff who assists those who would benefit from relaxation techniques to reduce any anxiety related to testing.

It has been Dr. Fish’s goal to go beyond the focus of the diagnostic testing by offering techniques, medical & ancillary, ancient & new, that facilitate both physical & emotional health & emphasize the connection between the two. She committed herself to providing an extensive Complimentary Health Seminar Series, offering SUPPORT GROUPS for women coping with all forms of cancer, developing a WELLNESS PROGRAM to focus on prevention & stress reduction & initiated a free ADOLESCENT HEALTH EDUCATION SERIES,”THE UNBEATEN PATH.”

Pathways offers MAMMOGRAPHY, ULTRASONOGRAPHY, BONE DENSITOMETRY, CARDIAC STRESS TESTING, & CORONARY CALCIFICATION SCORING while its parent, Manhasset Diagnostic Imaging offers a full range of diagnostic imaging such as CT SCAN, OPEN MRI, X RAY, NUCLEAR MEDICINE, FLUORO, AMNIOCENTESIS, & MRA

The Nassau Physician’s Foundation will be comprised of some of the top doctors, business people, and philanthropists in Long Island.

The NPF website will serve as a valuable resource for visitors who would like to learn more about the Foundation or looking for a way to get involved.

Our interactive division is excited about the possibility of integrating some of the virtual world technology we have been working with over the past year. While might be a ways down the road, we believe it will create a truly unique and cutting edge experience for site visitors.


SiteSeer3D - 3D Views of Local Geography and Points of Interest

December 20, 2007


3Dwalkthroughs.com just came across a new technology to help remote viewers get a good sense of local geography, homes and points of interest directly from their computer.

Idaho based, SiteSeer3D Inc., has developed an online application that allows real estate agents to show buyers 3D views of areas that surround a particular home for sale. The technology differs from Google Earth and Microsoft Live Maps as it interfaces with local MLS feeds which provides details on any home for sale including: listing photos, tours, physical characteristics, associated flyers, mortgage calculators, community links and resources etc. The above screenshot illustrates a bird’e eye view of our office location. The view was generated by using the SiteSeer3D application.

Another interesting feature of the SiteSeer3D technology is that a real estate agent can use a remote tour guide feature, to control the tour while explaining all the points of interest to their client.

We will continue to play around with the site but so far we are impressed with its functionality.

About SiteSeer3D
The SiteSeer3D™ plug-in is a web based mapping application that allows consumers to interactively explore a realistic 3D map composed of satellite imagery, a digital elevation model and value added data layers such as parcels. Additional data is added to the map by allowing consumers to search the MLS and other databases to display results that match their specific interests.

The 3D map is interactive, meaning that by using a computer mouse or keyboard, the consumer can virtually “fly” around the map and even change perspective from looking straight down to looking at an angle that will show the horizon and mountains. Customization occurs by allowing customers to search the client data set and request data that specifically meets their interests. Results of the user’s search are displayed on the 3D map and are hyperlinked to additional information.

Using the SiteSeer3D™ web mapping application, consumers can virtually visit the location of listings for sale from the comfort of their own homes or offices. Seeing the location of the listing on the 3D map with the additional data layers provides the consumer with additional insight into a listing that could not be obtained without an actual visit to the location. This insight will help consumers focus their search to listings that best meet their ideals and will eliminate costly travel and time expenses to properties that are not suited to their needs.

Service Description

The SiteSeer3D™ plug-in is sold in two configurations.

SiteSeerMLS is designed with the specific needs of real estate agents in mind. This product is purchased at the MLS level. One username and password protected web page interface is created with the MLS branding that will be accessible to all the members of the MLS. The search portion of the interface allows access to the additional non-public MLS data. Additional tools such as the ability to map un-geocoded listings will also be available. Localized data such as ownership, city/county zoning or demographics will be available. Providing agents with local relevant data will set SiteSeerMLS apart from other services.

SiteSeerPublic is designed to be used by the public to search for available listings specifically from a real estate agent or office website. SiteSeerPublic will be linked to a real estate agent or office website. This level of service will provide branding embedded into the search page that will direct the consumers’ interest in found listings back to the agent or office that provides the search link. The interface on this service will be highly intuitive and simplified to best meet the needs of the public.

How it is added to your website

Virtually any web designer or realtor can embed the SiteSeer map into their website easily without being an expert in web programming, databases or geography. SiteSeer takes care of all that for you by hosting and geocoding the MLS data and serving up the 3D map and data layers which results in a reduction of software, hardware and overhead costs for you. Our database technicians will work with the MLS data feed to make sure our Servers mirror the information you have. We will review the MLS rules and provide you with a small piece of html code that contains the link to the branded SiteSeerMLS or SiteSeerPublic tool and a graphic for you to add to your website.

Source: SiteSee3D website


Sketchpad in NY Times - The Use of 3D Floor Plans and 3D Renderings To Tell An Interesting Story

December 16, 2007


3Dwalkthroughs.com often finds interesting articles about architecture and real estate in the Sunday online edition of the NY Times. This week there was an audio slideshow titled, Grandeur in One Room, which describes how an architect took on the challenge of transforming a studio space into a much more impressive and elegant living environment.

The story makes use of 3D Floor Plans and 3D Renderings to show how the space will look once the development is complete. Anyone that has ever looked to buy real estate in NYC, (and not members of the Rockerfeller family) knows how small of a space their money will buy. After seeing what can be done to a studio apartment, maybe there is hope after all.

About The Project

The Cotton Exchange at 3 Hanover Square in NYC was converted into co-ops in the late 1980’s. Henry Stolzman a partner at PKSB Architects was given a challenge to re-design 2 studio apartments within the Cotton Exchange, which both contained the same layout. The designs transformed the studio spaces into loft-like spaces with the bed concealed by a curving screen. A long hallway (gallery) was also created in one of the studios which had a built in kitchen and desk area, creating a processional effect within the room. An 18ft wide 2 step staircase was built to separate the rest of the studio from the gallery. The raised floor also gave the perception of larger windows with better views.

Source NYTIMES.COM

A slideshow that describes the process can be found here>>


3D Virtual Lower East Side (VLES.com)

December 15, 2007


Over the past past year 3Dwalkthroughs.com has been writing about the convergence of social networks and 3D virtual worlds. 3D environments create an immersive and much more interesting way of interacting within a social network than flat 2D social environments.

The music industry is pushing the pace of this convergence seemingly faster than any other industry. Almost every day a new or existing band is announcing a performance in one of the 3D virtual worlds, such as Second Life or There.com.

We just came across a new 3D virtual world which was conceived by MTV. VLES, short for virtual lower east side, is focused specifically on the music industry and modeled after the lower east side of Manhattan. I firmly believe that as the convergence of 3D virtual worlds and social networks continues, the 3D virtual platforms with a specific target audience are the ones that are going to be successful.

About VLES

What is VLES?
vLES is a new online social network that revolves around New York City’s Lower East Side—a Mecca for young bands and music. It’s also where artists, fashion designers, and promoters mix together in a big melting pot of trendsetting, partying, music-loving insanity. We asked these people for their help in creating a digital replica of their neighborhood. It’s called the virtual Lower East Side (vLES) and now you can be part of it.

What Goes on Here?
Imagine you had the means to attend concerts from today’s most groundbreaking bands night after night, for free. Well, now you do. No matter where you live you’ll have the opportunity to see uncut live performances at recreations of legendary LES venues, like virtual Pianos and virtual Cake Shop. We’ve also made it easy for all you struggling bands to share your music with the world, with the potential to land real gigs and television spots.

Who did this?
Originally conceived by MTV Music Group, we teamed up with the Virtue group for Music Production, Marketing and Creative Consulting. The Virtual World was built by Doppelganger. The corresponding website was put together by the Donat Group, with the Artistic Guidance of Signature Creative.

Source: VLES website


YouTube and New Location Markers for Google Maps

December 14, 2007


According to an article in Wired News, Google Maps has added new location markers showing videos from YouTube, books from Google Book Search, and geo-tagged photos from Panoramio.

If you do a search in Google Maps, and there are relevant photos, videos or books in that area, blue place markers will open the content in a typical Google Maps pop-up window with a preview. YouTube videos are also embedded, so you can watch them without leaving the map. The YouTube videos are plotted according to geotags that YouTube users have placed on their content.

One of the criticisms of Google Maps is that have been limited to external data exclusive to Google services. Regardless, 3Dwalkthroughs.com thinks the new location markers are extremely valuable for integrating 3D Walkthroughs, 3D Renderings and 3D Floor Plans into Google mapped locations throughout the world.

If a development project is under way, and 3D assets have been created, location markers can be a very effective way for foreign investors to search for investment properties from remote locations. Google has also recently launched community map features which can help people find things like places to eat, events, and other activities. The community features content is all generated by users.


Spector Group Featured in Today’s Newsday

December 13, 2007

Marc Spector, friend and advisory board member of 3Dwalkthroughs.com, was featured in today’s Newsday for his companies role in the Lighthouse Project in Hempstead.

We recently visited the new headquarters of the Spector Group in Woodbury, Long Island and were blown away by the look and feel of their new space. Any doubt a new client might have before going to meet with the Spector Group will surely be erased the minute they walk through the door.

We are looking forward to creating 3D Walkthroughs, 3D Renderings and 3D Floor Plans for some of their future development projects.

The full Newsday article is below.

Newsday.com
Spector focusing on Lighthouse Project, in pieces
Patricia Kitchen

December 13, 2007

If you want to see what’s likely one of Long Island’s most supersized to-do lists, take a look over the shoulder of Marc Spector.

That’s because Spector, 42, heads the Long Island office of the Spector Group in Woodbury, the architectural and design firm named associate architect of record for the massive Lighthouse Project in Hempstead, proposed by Islanders owner Charles Wang and Scott Rechler, chief executive of RexCorp Realty Llc.

That means that while Baltimore-based Development Design Group Inc. will be focusing on designing the overall master plan for the 5.5- million-square-foot development, Spector Group - assuming the project gets a green light - will zero in on designing the components: 30-story twin towers, a five-star hotel, a conference center, a sports arena and a shopping area.

“People are going to identify with particular buildings. Those pieces are what I’m concerned with,” says Spector, who keeps pencil and paper near his bedside for late-night brainstorms. Asked how many sketches and models his team created for the initial plan submitted in November to the Town of Hempstead, he says, “You should only know!”

And that enormous project is only one of many.

During the summer, Spector assumed the reins of day-to-day operations of the Long Island office from his father, Michael, who started the firm in 1965 and who is now doing design and business development for the firm. (Spector’s brother, Scott, 45, heads the firm’s Manhattan office.) In addition, Marc Spector oversaw the redesign of the Woodbury office, a 25,000-square-foot building, as well as the staff’s relocation there from North Hills early in the fall.

High-profile megaprojects are nothing new for him and his group, which has designed, among others: RexCorp Plaza in Uniondale, Jericho Plaza, CA headquarters in Islandia, and the headquarters building of the former Symbol Technologies in Holtsville. Of course, not all are corporate jobs: The firm is also involved in redesigning buildings in the Great Neck school district, including Great Neck North High School, Spector’s alma mater, from which he went on to get bachelor’s and master’s degrees in architecture from the University of Michigan. (”Go, Wolverines” is still his cry.)

Spector says he understands well the principles of creating strong partnerships and calling in help when needed. Indeed, to ensure a smooth management succession, he, his dad and his brother worked for several years with a family business consultant to help the transition “occur seamlessly and without disturbance to the client base.”

While the business’ core principles - inherited from his father and late grandfather, who also was an architect - remain unchanged, he says he knows he’ll bring his own subtle imprints. For one thing, his style may be a little more informal, and he may communicate more with senior managers.

Plus, says Jane Felsen Gertler, the firm’s associate director of marketing, “Marc is naturally more technology-savvy, so he is constantly accessible and communicative via phone, BlackBerry, computer. The flow of information is so rapid, and he is continually on top of every situation pertaining to the office and our clientele.”

Still, something’s got to give, right? Family life? Projects piling up at home?

Perhaps not. Following in his father’s footsteps, Spector brings his three children, ages 13, 11 and 6, to job sites over the weekend, to do what longtime family terminology characterizes as “going to see the dirt.”

As for home projects, he says architecture/design is his hobby as well as his profession, so he’s seen his Roslyn home as a “residential lab.” He’s overseen five additions to the house, with the sixth to come this spring. “My wife is waiting for the next construction crew to start again,” he says.

Source: Newsday.com


Spector Group Featured in Today’s Newsday

December 13, 2007

Marc Spector, friend and advisory board member of 3Dwalkthroughs.com, was featured in today’s Newsday for his companies role in the Lighthouse Project in Hempstead.

We recently visited the new headquarters of the Spector Group in Woodbury, Long Island and were blown away by the look and feel of their new space. Any doubt a new client might have before going to meet with the Spector Group will surely be erased the minute they walk through the door.

We are looking forward to creating 3D Walkthroughs, 3D Renderings and 3D Floor Plans for some of their future development projects.

The full Newsday article is below.

Newsday.com
Spector focusing on Lighthouse Project, in pieces
Patricia Kitchen

December 13, 2007

If you want to see what’s likely one of Long Island’s most supersized to-do lists, take a look over the shoulder of Marc Spector.

That’s because Spector, 42, heads the Long Island office of the Spector Group in Woodbury, the architectural and design firm named associate architect of record for the massive Lighthouse Project in Hempstead, proposed by Islanders owner Charles Wang and Scott Rechler, chief executive of RexCorp Realty Llc.

That means that while Baltimore-based Development Design Group Inc. will be focusing on designing the overall master plan for the 5.5- million-square-foot development, Spector Group - assuming the project gets a green light - will zero in on designing the components: 30-story twin towers, a five-star hotel, a conference center, a sports arena and a shopping area.

“People are going to identify with particular buildings. Those pieces are what I’m concerned with,” says Spector, who keeps pencil and paper near his bedside for late-night brainstorms. Asked how many sketches and models his team created for the initial plan submitted in November to the Town of Hempstead, he says, “You should only know!”

And that enormous project is only one of many.

During the summer, Spector assumed the reins of day-to-day operations of the Long Island office from his father, Michael, who started the firm in 1965 and who is now doing design and business development for the firm. (Spector’s brother, Scott, 45, heads the firm’s Manhattan office.) In addition, Marc Spector oversaw the redesign of the Woodbury office, a 25,000-square-foot building, as well as the staff’s relocation there from North Hills early in the fall.

High-profile megaprojects are nothing new for him and his group, which has designed, among others: RexCorp Plaza in Uniondale, Jericho Plaza, CA headquarters in Islandia, and the headquarters building of the former Symbol Technologies in Holtsville. Of course, not all are corporate jobs: The firm is also involved in redesigning buildings in the Great Neck school district, including Great Neck North High School, Spector’s alma mater, from which he went on to get bachelor’s and master’s degrees in architecture from the University of Michigan. (”Go, Wolverines” is still his cry.)

Spector says he understands well the principles of creating strong partnerships and calling in help when needed. Indeed, to ensure a smooth management succession, he, his dad and his brother worked for several years with a family business consultant to help the transition “occur seamlessly and without disturbance to the client base.”

While the business’ core principles - inherited from his father and late grandfather, who also was an architect - remain unchanged, he says he knows he’ll bring his own subtle imprints. For one thing, his style may be a little more informal, and he may communicate more with senior managers.

Plus, says Jane Felsen Gertler, the firm’s associate director of marketing, “Marc is naturally more technology-savvy, so he is constantly accessible and communicative via phone, BlackBerry, computer. The flow of information is so rapid, and he is continually on top of every situation pertaining to the office and our clientele.”

Still, something’s got to give, right? Family life? Projects piling up at home?

Perhaps not. Following in his father’s footsteps, Spector brings his three children, ages 13, 11 and 6, to job sites over the weekend, to do what longtime family terminology characterizes as “going to see the dirt.”

As for home projects, he says architecture/design is his hobby as well as his profession, so he’s seen his Roslyn home as a “residential lab.” He’s overseen five additions to the house, with the sixth to come this spring. “My wife is waiting for the next construction crew to start again,” he says.

Source: Newsday.com


Spector Group Featured in Today’s Newsday

December 13, 2007

Marc Spector, friend and advisory board member of 3Dwalkthroughs.com, was featured in today’s Newsday for his companies role in the Lighthouse Project in Hempstead.

We recently visited the new headquarters of the Spector Group in Woodbury, Long Island and were blown away by the look and feel of their new space. Any doubt a new client might have before going to meet with the Spector Group will surely be erased the minute they walk through the door.

We are looking forward to creating 3D Walkthroughs, 3D Renderings and 3D Floor Plans for some of their future development projects.

The full Newsday article is below.

Newsday.com
Spector focusing on Lighthouse Project, in pieces
Patricia Kitchen

December 13, 2007

If you want to see what’s likely one of Long Island’s most supersized to-do lists, take a look over the shoulder of Marc Spector.

That’s because Spector, 42, heads the Long Island office of the Spector Group in Woodbury, the architectural and design firm named associate architect of record for the massive Lighthouse Project in Hempstead, proposed by Islanders owner Charles Wang and Scott Rechler, chief executive of RexCorp Realty Llc.

That means that while Baltimore-based Development Design Group Inc. will be focusing on designing the overall master plan for the 5.5- million-square-foot development, Spector Group - assuming the project gets a green light - will zero in on designing the components: 30-story twin towers, a five-star hotel, a conference center, a sports arena and a shopping area.

“People are going to identify with particular buildings. Those pieces are what I’m concerned with,” says Spector, who keeps pencil and paper near his bedside for late-night brainstorms. Asked how many sketches and models his team created for the initial plan submitted in November to the Town of Hempstead, he says, “You should only know!”

And that enormous project is only one of many.

During the summer, Spector assumed the reins of day-to-day operations of the Long Island office from his father, Michael, who started the firm in 1965 and who is now doing design and business development for the firm. (Spector’s brother, Scott, 45, heads the firm’s Manhattan office.) In addition, Marc Spector oversaw the redesign of the Woodbury office, a 25,000-square-foot building, as well as the staff’s relocation there from North Hills early in the fall.

High-profile megaprojects are nothing new for him and his group, which has designed, among others: RexCorp Plaza in Uniondale, Jericho Plaza, CA headquarters in Islandia, and the headquarters building of the former Symbol Technologies in Holtsville. Of course, not all are corporate jobs: The firm is also involved in redesigning buildings in the Great Neck school district, including Great Neck North High School, Spector’s alma mater, from which he went on to get bachelor’s and master’s degrees in architecture from the University of Michigan. (”Go, Wolverines” is still his cry.)

Spector says he understands well the principles of creating strong partnerships and calling in help when needed. Indeed, to ensure a smooth management succession, he, his dad and his brother worked for several years with a family business consultant to help the transition “occur seamlessly and without disturbance to the client base.”

While the business’ core principles - inherited from his father and late grandfather, who also was an architect - remain unchanged, he says he knows he’ll bring his own subtle imprints. For one thing, his style may be a little more informal, and he may communicate more with senior managers.

Plus, says Jane Felsen Gertler, the firm’s associate director of marketing, “Marc is naturally more technology-savvy, so he is constantly accessible and communicative via phone, BlackBerry, computer. The flow of information is so rapid, and he is continually on top of every situation pertaining to the office and our clientele.”

Still, something’s got to give, right? Family life? Projects piling up at home?

Perhaps not. Following in his father’s footsteps, Spector brings his three children, ages 13, 11 and 6, to job sites over the weekend, to do what longtime family terminology characterizes as “going to see the dirt.”

As for home projects, he says architecture/design is his hobby as well as his profession, so he’s seen his Roslyn home as a “residential lab.” He’s overseen five additions to the house, with the sixth to come this spring. “My wife is waiting for the next construction crew to start again,” he says.

Source: Newsday.com