You can grab the widget (and see it running) via Chumby.com.
2009-12-28
Live Weather on a Chumby
We have a feeling this is perhaps only of interest to a very small audience... but if you have a Chumby, live in London or just want to know the weather in London via a live feed from the du roof then your in luck. We have knocked up a quick 'Chumby Widget' to display live weather data.
You can grab the widget (and see it running) via Chumby.com.
You can grab the widget (and see it running) via Chumby.com.
2009-12-24
Mashups: A Literature Review and Classification Framework
Future Internet continues the tradition of publishing online high quality peer reviewed papers. The latest paper byBrandon Beemer and Dawn Gregg entitled 'Mashups: A Literature Review and Classification Framework' is a timely and indeed useful reference for anyone working in the field.
The papers abstract is as follows:
The evolution of the Web over the past few years has fostered the growth of a handful of new technologies (e.g. Blogs, Wiki’s, Web Services). Recently web mashups have emerged as the newest Web technology and have gained lots of momentum and attention from both academic and industry communities. Current mashup literature focuses on a wide array of issues, which can be partially explained by how new the topic is. However, to date, mashup literature lacks an articulation of the different subtopics of web mashup research. This study presents a broad review of mashup literature to help frame the 1subtopics in mashup research.
What better on a snowy Christmas Eve than to download the latest paper from Future Internet?
2009-12-22
Asset Tracking Anywhere 3D Master Planning Tool
3D tools for urban planners are too be honest few and far between. There is a strong need for simple integration between a GIS, 3D model database and a communication suite for architects to upload models direct for consideration within the master planning process. As such we are particularly intrigued by Clover Point's Asset Tracking Anywhere 3D Master Planning Tool.
The movie below provides an overview:
The movie below provides an overview:
The 3D module is tied directly a web GIS linked to real world coordinates, clicking on any object brings back the related meta data and presents it through the interface. The system also access inside buildings and indeed underground.
The engine is designed to accept most common types of 3D models, C4D, Sketchup, 3DSMax, Revit and many others. This allows users, such as Architects, to login via the web, given they have the appropriate rights, give a UTM or position off a monument and scale, and upload their models.
The models are then 'dropped' into the 3D world and the whole system is updated. Many of the other attributes in the model, such as the trees, are placed directly from GIS data, for example if trees are moved in the GIS the 3D model changes as well.
Use Case's include:
· Competing Architects do not see each other's work, due to the inherent security system, but the Planners can see everything. Planners can toggle off and on buildings and complete density studies and forward thinking community plans.
· Planners can use the model in community meeting and stakeholder presentations. It's interactive with controls that are similar to a gaming engine, they are very easy and configurable.
· Engineers, Planners and Architects work together with spatially accurate data to plan future developments. Engineers, for example, can go underground to examine the subterranean infrastructure prior to the plans being placed.
In short, we like the sound of the system, we have not used it ourselves yet but if we manage to get hold of a copy we will post a review.
More information on the whole system see www.cloverpoint.com
2009-12-21
Medieval Dublin 3D Model
The ability to view the city over time is core to data exploration and integration within a GIS. It also allows lots of nice visuals to be created and one excellent example is Medieval Dublin - From Vikings to Tudors - an interactive DVD box set that illustrates life in Dublin between 800 and 1540 AD:
The DVD explores a 3D model of the walled city, visiting a Viking house as well as strolling down a medieval street.
For more details see http://www.medievaldublin.ie/index.php
Also, take a look at the Silverlight Deepzoom version in the hunt for something rather more seasonal...
The DVD explores a 3D model of the walled city, visiting a Viking house as well as strolling down a medieval street.
For more details see http://www.medievaldublin.ie/index.php
Also, take a look at the Silverlight Deepzoom version in the hunt for something rather more seasonal...
2009-12-18
CityScape 1.8: GIS and OpenStreetMap Import Options
PixelActive have released a new version of their CityScape software. We are a picky bunch here at digital urban but the demo of CityScape is impressive, especially the ability to import native GIS data, OpenStreetMap and export to AutoDesk. Combine this with Unity and you have a powerful city creation tool, complete with traffic.
Admittedly CityScape is priced for high-end users ($19,000) - but the free demo is a blast and a must download for anyone interested in building cities.
See http://pixelactive3d.com/ for download and more details.
Admittedly CityScape is priced for high-end users ($19,000) - but the free demo is a blast and a must download for anyone interested in building cities.
See http://pixelactive3d.com/ for download and more details.
2009-12-16
CityEngine 2009.3
The latest version of the CityEngine (2009.3) includes features such as advanced roof types and global texture mapping to make the creation of large urban 3D models even easier. We are big fans of the CityEngine, especially with its ability to import OpenStreetMap data for street layouts.
The movie below details the new City Wizard to create and generate whole cities from pre-defined templates with only a few mouse clicks:
Another nice touch is the ability to download a use a 30 Day trial, even if you have used a previous version.
What better way to spend your Christmas than building cities? Head over to http://www.procedural.com/cityengine/ for full details.
The movie below details the new City Wizard to create and generate whole cities from pre-defined templates with only a few mouse clicks:
Another nice touch is the ability to download a use a 30 Day trial, even if you have used a previous version.
What better way to spend your Christmas than building cities? Head over to http://www.procedural.com/cityengine/ for full details.
2009-12-11
How the 3D Engine is Changing the World: The Guardian
Keith Stuart has a good article in today's Guardian Newspaper entitled 'How the 3D Engine is Changing the World'. Keith notes that John D Carmack, the programming legend behind the Doom and Quake games runs an aerospace company as a relaxing diversion from his role as technical director at games developer, id. Which goes to show that 3D engine design isn't rocket science – it's far more complicated than that.You can read the full article online, including our thoughts on Google SketchUp....
2009-12-10
Virtual London - Available via Skape World January 2010
Its been some years coming but finally a high resolution, photomapped Virtual London model is about to be released. Its been produced by Infoterra under their new 'Skape' initative which we wrote about a few months ago. The results are quite simply stunning and possibly the best 3D city model we have seen to date.
We don't have the full facts and figures yet, but the model launches to Skape users in January/February 2010. Its nice to see Infoterra taking the lead on this, they were the company who helped us out with our early Virtual London work and one of the few companies actively involved in University based research and sharing their data.
Take a look at http://www.skapeworld.com/ for more info.
See also the Skape Blog for the latest news on the software, views and development.
We don't have the full facts and figures yet, but the model launches to Skape users in January/February 2010. Its nice to see Infoterra taking the lead on this, they were the company who helped us out with our early Virtual London work and one of the few companies actively involved in University based research and sharing their data.
Take a look at http://www.skapeworld.com/ for more info.
See also the Skape Blog for the latest news on the software, views and development.
2009-12-09
Historic Mapping on iPhone/Android - Walk Through Time
Walking Through Time is a research project developing iPhone and Android apps that architectural historians, conservationists and tourists to swap the Google base map for a historical map - i.e., allowing a user to 'Walk Through Time'.
The movie clip below provides a neat guide to the concept:
In short, we really like this, the ability to load up a historical map based on your current location opens up all sort of possibilities from historical tours through to viewing the changing layout of the city over time.
The project is funded through a JISC grant and is collaboration between Edinburgh College of Art (ECA) and Edinburgh University (UoE) with development led by Chris Speed and Ian Campbell of ECA with Tim Urwin, EDINA / UoE, Petra Leimlehner, UoE,Peter Pratt, UoE, Karlyn Sutherland, UoE.
The app is currently in prototype form - keep an eye on http://walkingthroughtime.eca.ac.uk/ for more news on a release.
The movie clip below provides a neat guide to the concept:
In short, we really like this, the ability to load up a historical map based on your current location opens up all sort of possibilities from historical tours through to viewing the changing layout of the city over time.
The project is funded through a JISC grant and is collaboration between Edinburgh College of Art (ECA) and Edinburgh University (UoE) with development led by Chris Speed and Ian Campbell of ECA with Tim Urwin, EDINA / UoE, Petra Leimlehner, UoE,Peter Pratt, UoE, Karlyn Sutherland, UoE.
The app is currently in prototype form - keep an eye on http://walkingthroughtime.eca.ac.uk/ for more news on a release.
2009-12-08
Search the City - Google Goggles
Object recognition linked to search engines is possibly the next big thing and Google's newly announced Goggles app for Android is a neat example:
Scanning bar codes is now so 'November 09' now you simply take a picture of the object, of course this extends to buildings, allowing you to effectively scan and search the city...
Scanning bar codes is now so 'November 09' now you simply take a picture of the object, of course this extends to buildings, allowing you to effectively scan and search the city...
2009-12-07
Interested in a digital urban/casa course?
At the moment we are sitting writing a curriculum and course structure for our proposed Masters. The aim is to run the course from next September at the Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis, University College London, home of digital urban.Which brings us to our question - would you be interested in a course based around the blog and the work carried out at CASA?
At the moment, to gauge reaction, we just need a simple answer, yes or no - the poll is in the sidebar and your answers will be gratefully received....
New York City Timelapse - with camBLOCK
New York has arguably one of the best skylines for timelapse, in fact perhaps only Hong Kong pips it to the post of the best skyline in the world (?). Steven M. Bumgardner spent a couple of weeks in Manhattan with Canon 5DMII and variety of lenses:
Its really nicely done, the motion control shots were captured using a camBLOCK in a pan and tilt set-up...
A New York City TimeLapse from Steven M. Bumgardner on Vimeo.
Its really nicely done, the motion control shots were captured using a camBLOCK in a pan and tilt set-up...
Urban Abstract
Picked up via UrbanTick - Art Director Jopsu Ramu from Musuta Ltd. (a multidisciplinary design agency based in Helsinki & Tokyo) has created together with Shun Kawakami (artless Inc) an artist and designer from Tokyo - a digital art piece titled Urban Abstract. This digital art piece is being shown as the November break bumpers on one of the biggest commercial TV channels in Finland: TV Nelonen:
We really like the section at 1.14 - the 3D city is nicely done. The artists have plans for new pieces and are currently looking for interesting projects to work on and to continue this Helsinki - Tokyo collaboration.
The website urban-abstract.com works as a part of the piece and creates an extra dimension for the clips shown on TV.
Urban Abstract from Musuta on Vimeo.
We really like the section at 1.14 - the 3D city is nicely done. The artists have plans for new pieces and are currently looking for interesting projects to work on and to continue this Helsinki - Tokyo collaboration.
The website urban-abstract.com works as a part of the piece and creates an extra dimension for the clips shown on TV.
2009-12-04
Power Outage on the du Servers
The main power supply over in the florescent lit basement where the digital urban servers sit is being shutdown over the weekend for testing.As such the blog will be missing images here and there so please accept our apologies for the shoddy nature of the posts over the next 48 hours.
Once all the safety boxes are ticked we should be back up and running in time for a new week...
2009-12-03
Canon G9 Timelapse 1080p with CHDK
The movie below is our first timelapse test using the Canon G9, a power supply and the free CHDK firmware 'addon' for a range of Canon cameras.
Music 'City Lights' by Ox on MP3 Unsigned.
As mentioned, movie was created by capturing a 5 mega pixel image every 5 seconds, this allowed enough resolution to do the pan in post processing as well as the ability to crop out sections of the image.
As long as we got the settings correct you should be able to run the clip at 1920x1080 via YouTube. CHDK allows a wide range of Canon cameras to be used as timelapse rigs - indeed it arguably makes Canon the first choice for anyone wishing to creating an HD timelapse.
The movie is our first test, the technique should allow some good 'stacked night time images' of the city to be created - the image below was created from 8000 images to reveal activity in the sky above a city at night:
The image was created using a simple webcam - see our tutorial for more details, with CHDK we should be able to enhance this considerably.
Music 'City Lights' by Ox on MP3 Unsigned.
As mentioned, movie was created by capturing a 5 mega pixel image every 5 seconds, this allowed enough resolution to do the pan in post processing as well as the ability to crop out sections of the image.
As long as we got the settings correct you should be able to run the clip at 1920x1080 via YouTube. CHDK allows a wide range of Canon cameras to be used as timelapse rigs - indeed it arguably makes Canon the first choice for anyone wishing to creating an HD timelapse.
The movie is our first test, the technique should allow some good 'stacked night time images' of the city to be created - the image below was created from 8000 images to reveal activity in the sky above a city at night:
The image was created using a simple webcam - see our tutorial for more details, with CHDK we should be able to enhance this considerably.
2009-12-02
HTML 5, GeoStyle Sheets and Vectors: Cartagen
Perhaps we need to get out more, but we are getting quite excited about the possibilities of HTML 5. The ability to build applications that run naively in the browser without the need for plugins will allow agencies such as the police, government, health service etc a to view data that is currently restricted due to rules on installing plugins/software on networks.
As such imagine our joy when we discovered Cartagen - a vector-based, client-side framework for rendering maps in native HTML 5. Written in JavaScript, it uses the new Canvas element to load mapping data from various sources, including OpenStreetMap. In short, Cartagen lets you make beautiful, customized maps with a simple stylesheet.
Maps are styled with Geographic Style Sheets (GSS), a cascading stylesheet specification for geospatial information – a decision which leverages literacy in CSS to make map styling more accessible. However, GSS is a scripting language as well, making Cartagen an ideal framework for mapping dynamic data.
Head over to Cartagen for a look, thanks a lot to Kirk of MossCreekMedia for sending this one in.
As such imagine our joy when we discovered Cartagen - a vector-based, client-side framework for rendering maps in native HTML 5. Written in JavaScript, it uses the new Canvas element to load mapping data from various sources, including OpenStreetMap. In short, Cartagen lets you make beautiful, customized maps with a simple stylesheet.
Maps are styled with Geographic Style Sheets (GSS), a cascading stylesheet specification for geospatial information – a decision which leverages literacy in CSS to make map styling more accessible. However, GSS is a scripting language as well, making Cartagen an ideal framework for mapping dynamic data.
Head over to Cartagen for a look, thanks a lot to Kirk of MossCreekMedia for sending this one in.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)