The procedural buildings generator from http://www.tysonibele.com/ has eaten up quite a lot of our free time in the week since its was released. With updates coming thick and fast it now includes automatic texture creation complete with an included texture pack.
If digital urban gave out awards, this plugin would win a big shiny gold one, fantastic stuff and so refreshing to see this level of quality without an equally high price tag.
Head over to http://www.tysonibele.com/ for the download.
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….
We have another job vacancy here at CASA – its actually my old job as ive just changed roles within the lab.
If you would like to become part of the CASA team then below are the details and how to reply:
Duties and Responsibilities
This is an ESRC-funded research position working on the Generative e-Social Science (GENeSIS) project. This post is funded until 30th September 2011. The main purpose of this post is to develop urban simulation models, specifically in London and the South East and to interface the model with CASA’s London database.
Key Requirements
The ideal candidate will have a PhD in a related area, substantial programming knowledge and considerable experience of working with large-databases. Modelling skills are essential (for example agent-based or land use modelling) and a background in Urban Studies (eg urban geography / urban economics) is highly desirable.
Further Details
An information pack containing further details of the project is available from the main application page.
Closing Date 23 Oct 2009
Latest time for the submission of applications midday.
Interview date Thursday 5th November 2009.
Infoterra Ltd, is a UK based provider of geographic information products and services. We have worked with them quite a lot over the years and they are one of the leading innovators in the field of commercial photogrammerty. It is therefore of note when they send a press release round regarding a brand new 3D city mapping service launching later this year which it says “will have to be seen to be believed”.
Named Skape, it aims to provide B2B professionals with presentational 3D city and mapping data as well as high accuracy building information of the UK’s major cities, all captured by the company’s own dedicated fleet of aircrafts and sensors.
The movie below provides a first look at Skapes output:
The days of grey scale buildings seem to of gone, with Google launching its automated photorealistic cities – see out post on 3D Birmingham – and Infoterra rolling out a similar commercial service it looks like we are entering a new phase of digital cities.
Skape will be launched to the market later this year. To register interest and to receive updates prior to launch, please visit www.skapeworld.com.
See also the Skape Blog for the latest news on the software, views and development.