American Cannibal Voted Best Documentary of 2007 by Kurt Loder of MTV

3Dwalkthroughs.com is excited to announce that American Cannibal was voted the best documentary of 2007 by Kurt Loder of MTV.

As associate producers of the American Cannibal we are very pleased with this announcement. The movie has been released on DVD and is available for purchase at video stores nation wide. It will also start airing on Showtime in the middle of January and continue into the beginning of February.

About AMERICAN CANNIBAL(2006)
American Cannibal pushes beyond Fahrenheit/911 and Supersize Me to break new ground in documentary territory.

Rather than forcing situations and twisting facts to tell a story, filmmakers Perry Grebin & Michael Nigro spent two and a half years twisting real life itself, and the result is the story.

The filmmakers began American Cannibal in 2004 as a bold social experiment with reality. The set in motion real events that allowed them unlimited access to the results, pushing their cameras deep into the glitterdome of reality-TV production to emerge with an equally bold exposé.

They watch as struggling writers earnestly pitch TV ideas, eventually selling out to the man behind the Paris Hilton sex tape. The sadistic, shameless reality show they churn out is documented from start to finish: from throwaway pitch to manic auditions through train-wreck production.

Alongside the drama, the filmmakers interview prominent producers, psychologists, network execs, celebrities and “D-lebrities,” who offer candid insight and scathing judgements on our society.

American Cannibal is a documentary as wild as the story behind it: a shocking, hilarious, bona fide portrait of our celebrity-driven culture and the appalling lengths we’ll go to for entertainment.

Blog For Google 3D Warehouse (First Pick For 2008)

At the beginning of every month 3Dwalkthroughs.com selects our favorite 3D model from Greg Rose’s blog which highlights new 3D building models as they are added to Google’s 3D Warehouse.

Our monthly selection is based on impressive: architecture, level of detail, level of realism etc.

For the first pick of 2008 we have chosen the 700 Eleventh Street in Washington DC.

About 700 Eleventh Street
Located in Washington DC and bordering 11th NW, 12th NW, and G Street NW, 700 Eleventh Street was completed in 1992. The building was designed by architects Skidmore, Owings & Merrill and Melvin Mitchell Architects. This high-rise building has 13 floors, a height of 199 feet and sculptures by Richard Hunt located on the west side plaza.

Source of Actual Photo: Emporis.com

In Vision Inkjet Printer - Create Full Color Physical Models from 3D Data

One of the benefits of the entire 3Dwalkthroughs.com suite of products including: 3D Walkthroughs, 3D Renderings,3D Floor Plans and Interactive 3D products is the ability to view a property from anywhere in the world before it is built.

Sometimes, however, the ability to touch and feel a physical model of an architectural design can offer benefits that cannot be derived from computer generated models.

London based, Thinglab have created a service that takes computer based 3D models and literally “prints” them into an actual, physical model using a specialised inkjet printer.

The process involves breaking the 3D model down into cross sections, and then printing them a layer at a time, from the bottom up. The specialized printer can even print complex models with holes in them. This is mandatory if windows and other architecutal details are to be shown accurately.

The printer is available to buy, although due to the cost it is not really aimed at the home market. Using the ThingLab service a single model can be created starting at around $600.00.

In addition to architectural models, the printer can also generate realistic topography models as well as 3D objects, medical devices and more.

For more information about this service you can check out Thinglab’s website here>>>

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

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

Private Beta Launch of BigStage Technology - Personalized 3D Avatars Created From Digital Photos

Pasadena based, Big Stage, announced a private beta launch of their new technology that lets users create and share life-like, 3D avatar images of themselves. Big Stage’s breakthrough technology creates 3D animated avatars from digital photos in about 30 seconds. The avatars can be integrated into famous movie scenes, TV shows, video games, music videos, social networks, virtual worlds and more.

“Big Stage is collaborating with studios, television networks, brands, and a host of Hollywood writers, directors and producers to secure a continuing selection of immersive content,” said Big Stage co-founder and EVP of business development Jon Kraft.

“We are also launching a powerful open platform through which both professionals and users can take any image or video and easily Big Stage-enable it.”

3Dwalkthroughs.com has been working with a virtual trade show company that could certainly benefit from Big Stage’s 3D technology. One of the weak links with the 3D virtual trade show company we have been working with is the look of their generic avatars. The ability to integrate a 3D avatar which more closely resembles a live person into one of their trade shows, would make the interaction more real, and thus more effective.

Big Stages private beta launch is supposed to go public in early 2008.

About Big Stage
Big Stage is a media company whose breakthrough technology allows users to easily create and integrate a life-like 3D avatar of themselves into everything from famous movie scenes, TV shows and video games, to music videos, short video clips, virtual worlds, still images, user-generated content, instant messages, e-mails, social networks and more – instantly. Big Stage will launch to consumers in the second quarter of 2008.

Source: Business Wire

UpNext- Detailed 3D Map of Every Building in NYC

UpNext, a 4 person New York City start-up, has created a facebook application that bridges the gap between the 2D maps and images seen on Google Maps, Live Maps, and Yahoo Maps. It also brings a new level of functionality to Google Earth and Virtual Earth.

UpNext has launched an extremely detailed 3D map of Manhattan which shows almost every building in the city. In addition to the impressive detail of each building, UpNext’s technology includes the following features: Users can pan and zoom within the 3D map,click on a building to get its full tenant list or even type a specific address to fly directly to the building. Another unique feature of the UpNext technology is the ability to set filters which highlight nearby restaurants, bars, stores, hotels, museums, or sports facilities.

Integrating the UpNext technology into Facebook gives their 3D map added value by allowing a user to benefit from the experiences of all their Facebook friends. The application includes a friend slider for easy sorting and viewing all the places they’ve rated.

3Dwalkthroughs.com thinks the UpNext technology could be a perfect complement to our Custom 3D Walkthroughs, 3D Renderings and 3D Floor Plans by serving as an entry point to our Manhattan based presentations. The ability to learn so much about an area surrounding one of our development projects in Manhattan is extremely valuable to our clients, expecially one viewing the property from a remote location. Hopefully UpNext will get the investment they are looking for so we can utilize their application in other parts of the country.

Exercise in a 3D Virtual World?

Interested in riding a real life exercise bike in an immersive 3D virtual world? This ability may not be too far off in the future.

Researchers from the Queensland University of Technology in New Zealand have designed an IT gaming program which coupled with a stationary exercise bike allows a biker to interact/control a virtual setting.

The gaming program uses two Nintendo Wii remote controls - one attached to the rider’s leg, and another receiving a signal from an infra-red light on the rider’s helmet.

The signal controls the “virtual setting”, providing users with the feeling of cycling through the backdrop of their choice.

Source: tvnz.co.nz

The research team hopes to take the system one step further by displaying the images using video goggles, instead of projected onto a screen, providing a much better virtual experience.

3Dwalkthroughs.com predicts that in the near future the ability to better control real time interaction within 3D Virtual Worlds such as Second Life will lead to the launch of virtual health club.

We will also be able to promote that along with one of our custom 3D walkthroughs effectively showing a property before it is built, it will also help to burn calories…yes we are joking about this one.

3D Virtual Worlds Used For Trade Shows

In the past year 3Dwalkthroughs.com has come across various 3D virtual technology platforms focused on the trade show industry. Companies like IBM, Cisco, and others are using virtual trade shows as a way of cutting costs and attracting a larger worldwide attendance.

3D virtual trade show platforms are created to look exactly like actual trade show exhibition halls. In contrast to virtual world platforms such as Second Life, virtual trade shows are much more professional and are created specifically for business environments. We have seen virtual trade shows platforms with and without actual avatars that can walkthrough the virtual environment. In most of the platforms we have seen you can upload a picture, chat with booth representatives, and attend pre-recorded or live sessions.

Virtual Trade Show events typically cost less than live events and often result in more targeted leads. Many people we have spoken with do not think virtual trade shows will ever replace live trade shows completely, rather complement them by attacting more attendees from remote locations.

One virtual trade show platform we discovered recently is Unisfair. Founded in 2002, Unisfair tradeshow offers a 3D collection of booths, live and recorded presentations, trackable analytics, and a combination of online collaboration tools with social networking elements.

We are currently in the process of working very closely with a 3D virtual trade show developer to improve the level of reality they offer in their virtual environment. We believe as more companies such as 3Dwalkthroughs.com with an expertise in creating realistic renderings work with virtual world platform developers, the overall experience will become more immersive, interactive and enjoyable.

ad:tech - Media - Marketing - Media Trade Show

Yesterday the staff at 3Dwalkthroughs.com attended the ad:tech tradeshow at the Hilton Hotel in Mid-town Manhattan. Of the last 10 trade shows we have attended covering various industries, this one felt the most energetic and packed with exhibitors.

Ad:tech is an interactive advertising and technology conference dedicated to connecting all sides of today’s brand marketing landscape. Worldwide shows blend keynote speakers, topic driven panels and interactive workshops to provide attendees with the tools and techniques they need to compete in a changing world.

One of the most interesting aspects of the show was the amount of new companies with social networking applications and 3D virtual world technologies. During the show we spoke with quite a few of these companies and were amazed to see that they were just as excited to hear about our 3D Walkthrough technology. It seems like a common theme of all of these companies is the desire to improve the realism of their 3D world graphics. They all seemed to be actively looking for companies to help them with this effort.

With Intel planning on entering into the 3D world arena, we all agreed that processing speeds will quickly rise to a level which would allow for more realistic 3D graphics in real time. The fact that so many of these companies are presenting at such a prestigious trade show validates our recent focus on virtual world technology. It usually takes us a few days to organize all the material we accumulate at trades shows before we start our follow ups. After the dust settles we will post about any promising technologies we uncovered at the show.

3D Virtual Trade Show on October 19th in Second Life

Depo Consulting Ltd will host a virtual content developers trade show from their virtual business park inside Second Life Metaverse on October 19, 2007. Attendees may visit the expo HERE>>> Admission is free for both attendees and exhibitors.

The “2007 Virtual Business & Products Expo” will showcase projects from a variety of developers and offer a full day of presentations from various Second Life visionaries. According to Depo consulting, the theme of the expo is “Beyond Storefronts- Harnessing the Business Potential of Virtual Worlds.”

The goal of the expo is to create a collaborative environment where small to medium 3D virtual world development companies, freelancers and entrepeneurs can discuss the potential of the future 3D internet.

3Dwalkthroughs.com plans on attending the Trade Show in hopes of meeting with potential strategic partners and hearing about new plans already in the works. As we have mentioned in future posts we are excited for the day when the level of realism that can be achieved in the various 3D Virtual Worlds is on par with the level of realism we can achieve with our 3D walkthroughs and 3D renderings.