Coastal Concepts Blog

3D Models

Thought it might be important to point members over to a new project; www.estate3d.com.

Basically the site allows you to have any real-world building shown in the Google Earth 3D buildings layer for $99 USD.

The service is easy to use and is an ideal way for you to get any real-world or proposed real-world 3D models created.

The 3D buildings are then live in Google Earth and, via the Google Earth API, can be embedded on any webpage.

See this recent example of a Virginia School:

(Google Earth Plugin required)

Keep up to date with all things to do with 3D and Google Earth on the Estate 3D blog

Also, become a fan of Estate 3D on Facebook.

All the best.

The Dark Side of Social Networking

Of all the great things achieved through the internet, it is sometimes good to reflect on the not so good.

Saw this on the digital urban blog and couldn't resist posting it here.

pleaserobme.com describes itself as an effort to raise awareness about the stupidity of some people's use of the location-aware systems associated with Twitter and Google Buzz etc. For example, posting "I'm just going out for a while" when your home's location is available to the whole world through your social networking efforts.

In quite plain English, the site picks up when you post things such as "just leaving home" and links to a map showing your now (presumably) empty home. The concept is hilarious but only in the sense of people's ignorance, the whole being robbed thing is not hilarious in my opinion.

See www.pleaserobme.com for more

Speaking of human ignorance and its hilarious online consequences; the issues associated with the huge influx of non tech-savvy individuals to the online world, due to social networking sites such as Facebook, was highlighted recently when readwriteweb (a well known blog) wrote something entitled "Facebook Wants to Be Your One True Login". Amusingly this page ranked higher in Google's search listings for the words "Facebook Login" than the actual Facebook login page.

As a result, Facebook users who simply Google the term "Facebook Login" and click the top result ended up at readwriteweb's blog page. The resulting comments on the readwriteweb page are a reflection of the affected user's tech 'savvyness'.

One such user wrote: This is such a mess I can't do a thing on my facebook .The changes you have made are ridiculous,I can't even login!!!!!I am very upset!!!

Another: What is going on? You are totally confusing me. Knock-knock. Anybody there? Let me in. Katherine

We all have to start somewhere I guess, but once passed that starting stage it's hard not to gain some amusement from the ignorance of others.

On an entirely different note, my updates on this blog are a little sporadic of late as I am currently out of NZ but still fully contactable through the usual avenues. I am in Southeast Asia, you can read about the trip on blogspot: http://ashandjessscott.blogspot.com

Sorry about the lack of direct links; link tool isn't working and I'm too tired to fix it right now.

O3D, The Internet in 3D

In late April 2009, Google released an API called O3D for the creation of rendered, 3D, interactive scenes right within your web browser.

This has been a sort after and well discussed possibility for many years, and as you will know if you keep up with this blog, 3D is (in my humble opinion) quite simply the superior format for our minds to manifest and interact with ideas.

Here is a very cool example of the API at work called the O3D Home Designer, it shows off the immense potential of this plugin, not to mention how fun it is to play with.

Google have been updating and working on O3D ever since they initially released the software which was done at a partially developed stage. It was released early on (in Google's own words): "as part of a conversation with the broader developer community about establishing an open web standard for 3D graphics".

The O3D concept is not at all original, Hypercosm have written their own programming language to create a pretty impressive product that is similar to O3D and there are many other similar products out there, but as Google has proven time and again (to Hypercosm and Co's possible detriment) they can take an existing idea and transform it into something game changing.

Fantastically, the software is open source, allowing a community based development mentality and encouraging the user community to take some ownership for the product.

Google has proven that such open source projects can be viable and the corporation's astronomical success has been a major divergence from the original closed intellectual property mentality of such tech juggernauts as Microsoft. Speaking of which, I just read an interesting NY Times article which I thought cast some insight into the Microsoft business model. Read it here.

Getting back to the point, I think a 3D browser experience is the future and it won't be long before it is the standard way of accessing information online. There is a mentality shift required by the broader public from 2D web to 3D but this will most likely occur naturally once the superior format becomes widely accepted. Perhaps instead of browsing through amazon.com like a catalog, we will potentially walk around a virtual mall and see the products on shelves, we might even walk past or interact with other shoppers/users. This will make the internet a more intuitive and engaging experience. I am sure Google sees this too and is hoping to make O3D the means for the web as a whole to begin such an evolutionary step.

Extra reading for those who are interested:
Stephen Shankland's opinion on O3D
Gigaom had this to say about O3D

We are currently looking at O3D for our own products and services, if you would like to know more or discuss anything I've written here, email me at: ash@coastalconcepts.org

Apple iPad

The Apple iPad is here, and it looks set to change the way we do things.

It is a 15mm thick pad with a multitouch screen, and no keyboard. You can browse the net, watch videos, use email, and waste excessive amounts of time on Facebook; so it serves 70%* of computer users wonderfully.

Basically it 's a revolutionary netbook. It doesn't have the power to run significant applications, or more than one at a time. After all its processor is only 1Ghz (same as Google's new Nexus One phone), but as with everything from Apple it's sexy (read aesthetically pleasing).

Apple claim that the processor is software specific and is therefore much more efficient than other mobile processors, but it won't take long until someone tears the machine apart and sheds some light on that and other claims made in the official iPad video below.

Watch the official video:

So it appeals to a broad audience, and it certainly does appear revolutionary. Yet, as with any new high profile product, it already has its detractors. A Brazilian news piece reads:
"It doesn't have a camera, neither an USB port. Doesn't run Flash pages. It executes one task at a time.
Despite being a portable device, doesn't come with GPS. Unless you use overalls, it won't fit your pocket.
The description fits like a glove for Macintosh Portable, the first attempt from Apple to create a "minicomputer" -- in 1989.

I'll round up the negatives by saying that the iPad:

does not support flash (no streaming internet video/youtube)
can't do more than one thing at a time (no multitasking)
doesn't have a camera of any description
has very few plugs/adapters; you need a USB adapter just to plug a USB wire into it!
what were they thinking when they named it?

But I'm only detracting from it to be different because everyone else is raving about it.

To round up some of the positives:

it seems that the iPad is cool (as all things Apple are)
will popularize the multitouch screen interface
doesn't cost much (starts at $499 US)
and as always Apple has crammed a lot into a small place

But I'm afraid Steve Jobs and Co may have been resting on their technological laurels on this one. As I said earlier Google's new phone (which fits in your pocket) has a processor which is just as powerful as the iPad's. The iPad's typing interface has also been heavily criticized by many early users. I could present endless positive and negative points about the iPad but those presented above are the most glaring. Read Gizmodo's more comprehensive review if you want more.

I love the multitouch interface of iPhones and I'm sure this is no different. I also love the way Apple keeps the world on it's toes....despite their detractors everyone lifts their head and pays attention when Apple does something new, because they are a revolutionary company.

I am also confident that Apple will work hard to develop the iPad further as they recieve feedback from the marketplace.

It doesn't suit my purposes but it does suit many passive internet/computer users. Perhaps one day multitouch interface will be developed into something more powerful that can be used for design and drawing. Watch this incredible video by Bruce Banit to see what I mean.

I thought this video was amazing, send me an email if you would like to discuss anything mentioned here or anywhere on my site: ash@coastalconcepts.org

*Please note that this is a wild assumption and contains no semblance of research, but most likely stems from the fact that 70% of the internet users I know spend a lot of time on Facebook.

Live Google Earth Textures from Webcams

That's right; Big Brother could already be watching (although its very unlikely). Live3D have launched an application that works in with Google Earth (GE) to 'wrap' web cam textures onto buildings within GE.

This means you can view buildings in GE as they look right at that moment. For example, you might watch a student walk across the face of a building on the Washington University campus, St Louis (The campus where Live3D was developed).

I'll let Live3D's video explain the application:

Scared? Me too.

The privacy issues associated with such applications have often been debated. Google's Street View raised many of these, but what we have here is a whole new ballgame. Whats the next step? Live satellite imagery in Google Earth? Surely that is an invasion of privacy? In the United States, the general rule (with some exceptions) is that there is no reasonable expectation of privacy in a public place, thus implying that Google (and anyone else) is usually free to take photographs in public places.

Which almost sounds like a license for Google to show what they want.

Live3D was brought to my attention via the Digital Urban Blog which shows this scene as an example of the application in action. There are at least five building faces shown in the scene that are updating live.

I had a go at creating my own scene with a local surf report camera so that the current surf conditions could be displayed on my local beach but I must be missing a vital step as I can't seem to make it work. You can have a look at the scene here. Email me if you get it to work.

Personally I think this is a very interesting application, despite its potentially invasive attributes. We must remember, however, that this application is only utilizing web cams that are already available to anyone on the net, all it is doing is interfacing them with Google Earth. It does show what might be possible though.....

As far as I can tell this is just the tip of the iceberg, and the potential for such "live" real world applications, five years from now, is staggering.

ash@coastalconcepts.org

The Seven Great Walks of New Zealand

In late November last year, I had the pleasure of taking part in what was called the "7in7". It involved a man called Malcolm Law running the seven "Great Walks" of New Zealand in seven consecutive days, hence the name "7in7". Here is the site: 7in7

You can read my brief post prior to running in the event here. The event was held as a fundraiser to get some money together for the Leukemia and Blood Foundation of New Zealand

Mal put in a huge effort for the whole seven days. I had the opportunity to run the first day with Mal, around Lake Waikaremoana. At the end of day one, I was knackered. Mal, on the other hand, was just warming up....he still had six days to go.

It was a tough, warm day; 8.5 hours round the Waikaremoana 'Great Walk', but well worth it and a good time had by all. I will struggle to patiently tramp now and will want to run everywhere.

I couldn't believe that Mal would be going through another six (probably harder) days. But he nailed it, with the support of his wife, friends and supporters it was a fantastic event; over NZ$75,000 has been raised so far.

Check out Mal's account of events on his blog, and remember to support the cause.

I'm the grinning idiot on the left, the rest were uber-runners comparatively, Mal is second from right.

The event will be 'wrapped up' so to speak with a documentary comprised of material from dedicated cameraman Dimi who got the good and the not so good times on film. As a part of this documentary I am helping put together some graphics....this involves showing the tracks in Google Earth. I thought I may as well make the track files public so people can view them in Google Earth and see exactly were Mal ran.

Download Google Earth here if you don't already have it.

Simply click on your desired track and then hit 'ok' it will then load in Google Earth.

Keep your eyes on this blog to find out when the documentary is available/showing.

If you would like to use these .kmz files commercially or publicly please contact me.

Or if you would like me to create some .kmz files for your needs then let me know.

Contact me via: ash@coastalconcepts.org

Askaro: Ask the locals

Want to know something about a neighborhood? Ask the people that live there.....

Adding to the vast amount of geographical information publicly available through Google's applications such as Earth and Maps, which have additional content such as Street View (photos taken from the street displayed in Google Earth) and Panoramio (user photos from anywhere available in Google Earth) etc, is Askaro. Askaro is a way of asking geographically relevant questions about anywhere. For example, you might ask how much going rate is for a cup of coffee in Devonport, NZ. You place this question, on Devonport, on the map (map provided via Google Maps API), and hope to get an unbiased answer from the people that live there.

Any user can ask a question about an area and any other user can answer that question. Askaro was created by the same photo sharing entrepreneur who created Panoramio (Eduardo Manchon), the company that allows you to see any user's photographs displayed on location in Google Earth. Panoramio was sold to Google to work in with Google Earth; perhaps Askaro is intended for a similar transaction.

Eduardo is now leaving Google to pursue the development and marketing of Askaro.
The service seems big in Spanish speaking countries and inevitably has been used in most other large countries/cities but looks as though it doesn't have much of a following in NZ. It seems a complex system for such easily shared information but with the right kind of marketing and a simplification of the interface it just might catch on.

As is often the case, a great idea still needs great execution for it to work. Check out Askaro for yourself.

ash@coastalconcepts.org

Deelip Menezes: CAD software guru

For those of you that are heavily interested in the world of CAD, I recommend you check out a blog by Deelip Menezes.

Deelip is the owner of Sycode, a software company that, in its own words: "develops cutting-edge software solutions for the Computer Aided Design (CAD) industry. Our solutions are in the form of standalone applications or plug-ins that work inside major CAD systems". Their slogan is "software made simple".

Deelip talks extensively about the CAD industry on his blog and although his posts can sometimes be a little boring to those of us not involved in the software and political workings of CAD, it is also very informative and serves to keep many up with the play on the inner workings and latest events of the industry.

You can check his blog out at www.deelip.com or check out Sycode at www.sycode.com

However, if your interest is specifically in 3D modeling and you enjoy the odd interesting side note, remember to subscribe to this blog either by the RSS feed provided or through our newsletter.

In light of that, I am currently beta testing some exciting new 3D software that has the potential to revolutionize the way 3D models are created... so stay in touch, I will be posting about it shortly.

Wolfram Alpha, Google with a brain

Wolfram Alpha is set to change the way we view and access knowledge. It is already changing the way many architects, engineers and designers do their work.

If you have no idea what I am talking about, Wolfram Alpha is a self described 'answer engine'. The vision of Wolfram Alpha is to (as described on the site): "make all systematic knowledge immediately computable and accessible to everyone."
The "About" section of the website goes on to say: "We aim to collect and curate all objective data; implement every known model, method, and algorithm; and make it possible to compute whatever can be computed about anything. Our goal is to build on the achievements of science and other systematizations of knowledge to provide a single source that can be relied on by everyone for definitive answers to factual queries."

In a sentence: Wolfram Alpha wants to be a place where you can find out anything that can be computed. As an example, if I type in [Google Microsoft] I get a comparison between the two corporations. Wolfram Alpha interprets my input as a financial query (I can change this interpretation to an internet domain) and gives me a comparison of current share prices, market capitalization, number of employees, revenue per employee and much more. All of these resulting categories can be expanded on to give me even more info. I can then change Wolfram Alpha's interpretation to 'internet domain' and I have a comparison between Google and Microsoft's websites (google.com vs microsoft.com). I now have a description of each domain's owning entity, their location, daily page views, daily visitors and on and on.

Wolfram Alpha isn't just constrained to corporations by any means, remember, they are trying to make all computable information available. If I type in [H2O] (water), I get a 3D diagram of the compound's structure, its molecular weight, boiling point, density and so on.

If I punch in [16^2/33] it interprets that mathematical equation accurately and gives me the various ways it can be presented (as a decimal, as a mixed fraction etc). It is just as accurate with highly complex mathematics and can present answers and equations logarithmically. I'm not a mathematician's fingernail so won't get into that.

The brainchild of Stephen Wolfram, Wolfram Alpha shows some amazing promise

I personally think Wolfram Alpha has great application in the 3D world as well, it allows equations to be calculated accurately and quickly. When modeling a precise object, I can have Wolfram Alpha open to give me exact dimension calculations. I can also get the volume of an object from Sketchup, search the desired material in Wolfram Alpha and work out the actual weight of an object. I can also get tensile strengths of objects and perform strength analyzes on objects and work out breaking strains much faster and more easily.

Here is the first part of a two-part video series which exhibits this new tool's amazing capabilities well.

I think Wolfram Alpha is a fantastic concept and is proving to be executable in the real world which even Stephen Wolfram himself had doubts about, a great testimony to the organization's determination and vision of a potentially world changing product.

We were all amazed by Google and the way it 'changed the game' in the world of internet search engines. But all it gives you is web pages. The user has to judge relevance, trustworthiness of content, they often have to troll through results to find what you are looking for, and then perform calculations on the information found. Wolfram Alpha's greatness is not in what information it makes available (Google has cataloged almost all public information under the sun) but the way it makes information accessible. There must be some serious interpretation algorithms in there somewhere for it to accurately interpret some of the bizarre requests I gave it, go there now and try your own: www.wolframalpha.com

To discuss anything on this blog, or to make suggestions, email me at: ash@coastalconcepts.org

3D mouse?

I know what you're thinking, and I have been thinking the same: My mouse already does 3D. But 3Dconnexion has a unique way of controlling interfaces and drawing programs.

3Dconnexion

With the unrelenting march of technological advancement forever causing nausea in some, and companies' ever determined efforts to discover and market 'the next big thing' we undoubtedly get left with an exponentially growing mountain of what can only be regarded as techno-garbage. It is with some cynicism therefore, that I embrace any new technology these days. However, it is almost daily that I hear the exasperated cries of "RSI" from those using 3D software, so perhaps we have before us the opportunity to create some peace.

I can hardly comment from the RSI camp as my $15 logitech notebook mouse serves me, at times for 10 hour+ drawing marathons, without the slightest hint of geek's wrist, AKA computer user's repetitive strain injury . Have my genes just become more desirable?

3Dconnexion are actually an arm of Logitech and this is their latest contribution to the world of mousing: the SpaceNavigator. It has actually been on the market for around three years but having no need to switch drawing systems/tools I obviously haven't been paying enough attention.

They have also decided to dress Darth Vader's mothership up as a human-computer interface device and fittingly called it the SpacePilot Pro:

You can check out the full range of 3Dconnexion's high end CAD and computer animation products here

Also check out this brief video from 3Dconnexion showing how the device works.

Personally I get by fine without such high falutin paraphernalia. My personal system utilizes keyboard shortcuts as much as possible, allowing my mouse hand to stay within the drawing area and my left hand to control tool and function changes. This saves a lot of unnecessary mouse movement and if you aren't already utilizing keyboard shortcuts I suggest you test whether it alleviates RSI before switching to an unfamiliar system.

Therein lies the issue, 3Dconnexion's interface is completely different to what our muscles and minds are used to so I'm sure there is at least some sort of learning curve involved when switching to their hardware. I find the switch in interface between Skethup and Alibre a hard enough adaptation let alone changing the entire way my hand interacts with the machine. But to some, who have tried everything else, this may be a major improvement to the way they work. If you have had a go with any of 3Dconnexion's devices let me know your thoughts and I can put them up here.

A good review is available from trustedreviews.com by clicking here. They give the device 7 out of 10 overall.
Personally I am going to stick with my arcaic device that serves me well and actually resembles a live mouse. But if you must, you can pick up one of 3dconnexion's baseline models, the SpaceNavigator, yourself from Amazon.com for around the $100US mark.

As is always the case, direct all comments and abuse to ash@coastalconcepts.org

3D is the best, get into it

I'm almost afraid to say this, but if you disagree with '3D being the best way to design most objects' then you may have been living under a rock for the last decade.

I can almost hear the traditionalists loading their shotguns and climbing onto their horse's backs as I write this.

I'll admit that there are good designers about who still use traditional 2D design methods, I have heard rumors of some Formula One designers sticking to such methods, and if you are creative and insightful enough to be designing Formula One cars and would like to debate this point then please send me an email and I will humbly apologize for my ignorance. However, I could debate that such designers would be even more well utilized if they adopted an effective 3D format.

A personal experience I have witnessed of the transition from 2D to 3D design is with my father; he owns an innovative engineering company that designs forestry equipment. He has historically done all his conceptual design in 2D, and he did it well. He is very innovative and has come up with some very revolutionary ideas through conceptualizing and designing in 2D. However, I recently helped him to get started with 3D software, after the initial learning curve (this is the cost of any new software), he was away. Now he calls me up to excitedly ask if I know about such and such features that he has just discovered. Sometimes he even points things out to me that I didn't know about (very rarely).

My point is that the transition to 3D, although it involved a learning curve, has been, in his own words; "empowering" for my father. It has improved the efficiency of his design process and therefore his business to an immeasurable degree.

2D Is Dead:
To this end I would like to point out a short article I wrote on the quickly decaying battle between the 2nd and 3rd dimensions. It is entitled "10 Reasons Two Dimensional Design is Dead and 3D Modeling is the Future".

This link will take you to the article on Ezine Articles' website. Apparently I am now an "expert author" on the site (I think this means I have published one article there).

If the link doesn't work read the article here:

10 Reasons Two Dimensional Design is Dead and 3D Modeling is the Future

Just as the mighty pen has been superseded by the computer in drawing, 3D design and modeling has made 2D redundant.

To some this is painfully obvious, but to those who still need convincing, here is a list of my top ten reasons that there is no room for 2D design in the 3D future.

Anyone can understand it: Have you (or anyone you know) ever looked at a set of plans and weren't quite sure whether 'that' line should be 2.... or 10 meters into the page?
With 3D modeling this is no longer an issue; real time rendering and shading affects allow 3D models to look very similar to what they would in real life, allowing anyone, from the experienced architect to the prospective client to understand exactly whats going on.
It's so simple and self-explanatory, that they are now using 3D in schools to teach kids the design process. I remember sitting in my tech drawing class looking out the window at a 3D world and wondering why drawing that world had to be so boring.
Kids these days don't know how good they have it.
We live in a 3D world: Everything we do in our day to day lives is in 3D. From pulling on your socks in the morning to making yourself a piece of toast; you are working, and thinking, in three dimensions. Therefore, your mind understands 3D better and is more productive when thinking in that format.
Its engaging: Imagine you are a builder showing Mr and Mrs Jones their prospective house plans. Chances are they can't visualize what all those lines represent. However, if you show them a 3D model and allow them to move it around (with the mouse, of course), virtually walk through it, judge the lighting from different angles, consider colors, consider what effect the sun might have at certain times of the day (....I could go on); they are much more engaged and excited about the project and therefore more likely to give it the go-ahead.
Mistakes are minimized: When a project has been modeled in 3D, there is a much lower likelihood of the designer/s being able to say; “Oh no, I forgot that bar would intersect that wall”, or something similar (insert your own experience here). This is because things can be considered from all angles in 3D. It also allows everyone involved to get on 'the same page' so to speak. This helps eliminate the; “I didn't know you were going to put that there”, syndrome.
The creativity process can breathe: Because we live in a 3D world, and our minds understand 3D (see reasons 1 and 2), the creativity process is unleashed when we design that way. We can put things together the same way we imagine them in our minds, and the same way they would exist in real life. Ever had anyone show you a 2D set of plans and say “imagine this sticks out so far”? Its difficult and it cramps your mind with unnecessary thought. With 3D we can spend less effort on the imaging side of things, and more on the creating side of things.
Its enjoyable: Its much more fun creating and seeing objects in a 3D representation, as opposed to working via flat lines on a page or screen, because your mind is used to thinking that way. Therefore, people become more enthused about a project, and enthused people are productive people. Not to mention the fact that 3D will make the project more satisfying for you too.
It's more versatile: You can't produce a photo-realistic rendering from a set of 2D plans can you? You generally can't produce a bill of materials from a 2D drawing. Creating a work order from 2D is slow, if not impossible. Can you 'walk through' 2D plans? Nope again. Yet 3D modeling ticks all these boxes and more. The format is simply more versatile.
It costs less than you think: Ever since 3D computer design has existed, the costs have been a major deterrent. But that is all changing. Online 3D modeling services provide very competitive rates and can work with you via the net. You no longer need to fork out thousands of dollars for 3D based software because services like these can do it for you at a very economic rate. This saves you the cost and learning inevitably associated with software.
It's fast: With modern software, models can be produced in hours rather than days. The software is more intuitive, less power hungry, more graphically pleasing (it looks better) and of course its faster. All this translates to less costs transferred down the supply chain, meaning you can deliver your part in the project at a more competitive rate.
Get with the program!: Three dimensional design is becoming the norm, in fact, many people are coming to expect it. Operators and businesses within the design/development realm that don't use 3D to some degree are making themselves appear out of date and inefficient. So step into the future and check it out for yourself.

If you would like to discuss 3D modeling with me, or would like to abuse me for my aforementioned ignorance, then drop a line to: ash@coastalconcepts.org

On a different note, the anti whaling boat and Sea Shepherd fleet member Ady Gil did eventually sink, while being towed, after I mentioned it in my blog several days ago. The boat (formerly Earthrace) was a fantastic machine and it is a sad loss, but we can be thankful no lives were lost in the collision. Sea Shepherd is attempting to take the whalers to court and the boat's namesake, Hollywood businessman Ady Gil, has stated that fundraising will go ahead to build another by years end.

All the best to Pete Bethune and the crew from Coastal Concepts!

Making Models from Videos: Video Trace and ProFORMA

Creating computer-based 3D models is getting even faster thanks to a new wave of software.

The word "new" is relative in this case because, as it turns out, this sort of technology has actually been around for some time.

First off, here is a look at 'Video Trace', a piece of software developed by the good folks at the Australian Centre for Visual Technologies (The University of Adelaide).

Rather than write a small essay, have a look at this pretty self explanatory video from the Video Trace team:

I'm sure you can see the great potential here for modeling existing structures. For example, this sort of technology could be used in a maintenance sense. An occasion I know involved a maintenance company modeling a factory boiler so that they could plan their maintenance schedule as efficiently as possible and thus minimize downtime for the factory. With this sort of technology that modeling phase might involve quickly running a video camera over and through the boiler and the rest being done remotely, as opposed to hours of measuring and manual modeling.

The potential for video effects and structural surveying is also very apparent from the video.

You can read more about Video Trace on the ACVT page. This has links to a paper on the project, a Google Tech Talk, and much more.

In the same vein we have ProFORMA (Probabilistic Feature-based On-line Rapid Model Acquisition, in case you have a penchant for full names), developed by the Department of Engineering at The University of Cambridge.

The difference, as far as I can tell, between Video Trace and Pro FORMA is, in layman's terms, automation.
Whilst Video Trace uses a data collection phase (someone going out and taking video), and a modeling phase (drawing on the video to contribute to creating the model), Pro FORMA carries this process out live, or "on-line".

This is done through recognition of certain points on the object and tracking them as the model is moved to create a point cloud (basically a cloud of dots that each represent a certain point on the object). A process called Delaunay Tetrahedralisation (I don't know what this means, email me if you do otherwise smile and nod) is then carried out, followed by probabilistic tetrahedron carving (once again, smile and nod) and finally texture mapping the photographic "skin" onto the resulting model.

So we have two, somewhat similar, methods for obtaining geometric information about the real world very quickly and very efficiently. There is a long way to go before manual modeling of the existing world becomes redundant but these first tentative steps are very exciting to witness

I for one will be keeping a close eye on how these projects progress and will be updating this blog with any new developments.

Drop me a line at ash@coastalconcepts.org if you want to discuss this, or any other relevant matters further.

Ady Gil Rammed by Whalers

Whaling protest boat the Ady Gil has been rammed and severely damaged.

In the last couple of days, an iconic New Zealand boat, the Ady Gil has been rammed and severely damaged in the Southern Ocean. This was the result of a collision with Japanese whaling boat Shonan Maru No. 2. Initial reports stated that the boat had consequently sunk but spokesman Jeff Hansen stated that the vessel had not sunk “but it’s in two pieces and we’re trying to salvage what we can.”

The Ady Gil was formerly known as "Earthrace" and was skippered by Pete Bethune. I personally had the pleasure of looking round the boat in 2009, a magnificent feat of engineering.

The boat was owned by the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and used to carry out protests in the Southern Ocean against Japanese vessels and their whaling activity.

Video of the incident:

It is likely that Youtube will remove this video shortly but I will try to keep a current example posted. Email me if you notice the vid isn't working.

Obviously there will be a lot of controversy over the incident but this video gives a pretty clear view of what happened.

You can read more about the incident here: BBC News

Coastal Concepts extend our condolences to Pete and the crew.

Kia Kaha guys

New site coming

Coastal Concepts will soon be launching a new site, dedicated to servicing the real estate industry.

We have some initial tools that provide very cost effective marketing for real estate agents and vendors. These tools allow potential buyers to get a much better idea of a property from the comfort of their living room/wherever their computer is. They also make it much easier for potential buyers to find property in the places they want to find it and to gain a much better geographic perspective of the area.

Have a look at some initial examples here.

Additionally, we are in the development phase of a very exciting tool that could well change the way online real estate marketing is done. It will allow people to understand properties much better from right within their browser, encouraging purchase decisions and saving all in the industry a lot of time. I can't say a lot more at this stage except that you need to watch this space.

So, keep the emails coming, especially if you are involved in the real estate industry and would like to register your interest in what we are doing.

Contact

Turning Ideas into Reality

Here is a video example showing one aspect of Coastal Concepts. This is an example of how one idea might be manifested, there are many more ways we can help your business

I thought this was a good example video as it shows how we can take ideas, plans or sketches, and turn them into something much more tangible. Thus bridging a big gap between the conceptualization of a project and it's coming about.

If you or your business would like to see your ideas take a step toward reality drop me an email and we will discuss some of the amazing things that are possible

New Site Look

As you may have noticed, Hamish has been hard at work giving the Coastal Concepts website a new look.

We also have a new logo thanks to Gisborne artist 'TC'. Many thanks to those guys, in particular Hamish who puts a lot of work into the site so that ya'll can access Coastal Concepts' resources and information easier. He is always developing and improving the site so keep checking back to see whats new.

The business itself hasn't changed and we still provide the most affordable way to see your plans and ideas in 3D, whether a 3D walk through video, photorealistic rendering, placement in Google Earth, or if you simply want a 3D model we can develop together to improve your project, read more here.

So talk to me today to take an innovative step into the 3D realm.

Sixth Sense Technology

Sixth Sense technology could be the new way to view the world. Haven't heard about it? Check out this video of Sixth Sense technology as Pranav Mistry and associates have developed it at MIT:

It is an exciting development and has the potential to change the world. It is a further development on the idea of augmented reality. Believe it or not but Pranav and his team are giving the idea away for all to use. He even mentions giving the software he has developed for the concept away as open source!

Have a look at his full presentation of the idea here on TED.com

Calling All Real Estate Agents!

This page has been removed temporarily.

It will back up and running soon

Email me at: ash@coastalconcepts.org if you want to know more about it

Augmented Reality

Augmented Reality (AR) has long been talked about and has been lauded by many as the "next big thing" in terms of interactive software.

Here is what Wikipedia has to say about it: Augmented reality is a term for a live direct or indirect view of a physical real-world environment whose elements are merged with (or augmented by) virtual computer generated imagery - creating a mixed reality. Read more here.

Here is an example of a Kiwispan building projected via Augmented Reality onto my desk:

It would be easy to assume that there is little use for such technology beyond a novel way of presenting models and ideas. But watch this video of the technology as it is being developed by BMW for foolproof vehicle maintenance and troubleshooting:

So as you can see, augmented reality has the potential to be much more than just a toy.

Here is what BMW have to say about the technology: "Research in the field of augmented reality is paving the way for a number of new applications in BMW Service. BMW Augmented Reality techniques provide ideal support in maintenance work on complex technical innovations in the vehicle. Using special data goggles and wireless access to a powerful computer, BMW mechanics have all the information at their disposal, precisely where they need it: in the workshop, at the vehicle."

At Coastal Concepts we will be keeping abreast of the developments in AR with keen interest. The video by BMW was posted on youtube in 2007 so we are sure there must have been some interesting developments since then.

Currently at Coastal Concepts we can present your models like they are shown in the top video (thanks to the clever AR media plugin from Inglobe Technologies), if you think this may be useful to you or your business then contact me.

Rendered Animations-my epiphany

Rendered animations, or what could be put in layman's terms as 'moving pictures that look real', can pose some real issues for those that create them.

Let me rephrase, creating rendered animations has posed some difficulty for us here at Coastal Concepts, and I'm sure we are not alone. The issue comes about because rendering and ray-tracing require a lot of computing power. Despite the relentless improvements in computing hardware some still images require hundreds of hours of computing on machines that are significantly more powerful than the average family PC.

My initial solution to the problem was to link up many redundant computers on a local network to create a cost effective render farm. This is still a potential avenue for us to investigate but requires more capital investment than initially anticipated, so more demand for such a service is required before we develop it further.

But as any experienced cat-skinner will tell you, there is always more than one way to do it.

So instead of trying to fight gravity and obtain more and more power, the solution, this time round, seems to be to go the other way, to lighten the load. You see, ray tracing uses complex mathematical algorithms to work out how light acts in a certain model and creates an image through computing these algorithms (I wont pretend to understand how the technicalities of this actually work).

So do we need such complex algorithms?

To get a high quality still image from ray tracing many purists believe unbiased rendering is the only way to go. Unbiased rendering makes less assumptions about the way certain materials act in certain light conditions and thus can be controlled more accurately. Given the right user, this allows a more realistic image to be created.

But when it comes to movies and animations, the Nth degree of detail isn't noticed by the viewer because the image is moving. So these more complex algorithms required for super good-looking still pictures aren't needed for super good looking moving pictures. Therefore, less complex maths can be employed to give a very similar visual effect, and voila, the computing load has been lightened immensely.

It is now much easier for Coastal Concepts to provide ray traced videos of any project, from any angle. This is a much more pleasing presentation and really provides the 'wow' factor when you are using our 3D modeling services to promote your product or potential project.

Check out this test video, bearing in mind that I have just fired it through the renderer without texturing it properly.

New Google Earth models

The first in a set of building models submitted to the Google Earth 3D layer have been accepted today.

These were carried out for the Eastland Group and will allow all who use Google Earth to look around Gisborne City (first city in the world to see the sun, not to mention a great place) to see the Eastland Group's buildings in 3D, get a feel for them, find out a bit about the building and link to occupier's websites.

A great advertising tool and source of information I'm sure you will agree. You can link directly to the models (provided you have Google Earth installed) by clicking on these links:

Shed 1
Shed 2
The Works

Simply click the link and if you have Google Earth installed you will be prompted to 'open with', select Google Earth if its not already selected and hit 'OK'. Google Earth will then open and navigate to the model.

Having your commercial premises in Google Earth raises the profile of them immensely and allows people to view and get a feel for them from anywhere on earth, provided they have an internet connection.

There is also an application for real estate here so if you are a real estate agent and would like to discuss lifting the profile of the properties you are selling then contact me.

Or if you would like to see any building or structure in Google Earth then flick me an email. We pride ourselves on providing a highly affordable 3D modeling service and I am sure the low cost of such high-profile advertising will surprise you.

Newsletters From Coastal Concepts

Hamish has been slaving away and has got a newsletter facility up and running through www.coastalconcepts.co.nz.

This means you can receive news and updates on whats happening at Coastal Concepts, and the 3D modeling industry as a whole, right to your inbox.

We won't use this service to badger anyone but to keep you up-to-date on our small, evolving business and the big, rapidly evolving industry that we are in (3D modeling). Nor will we distribute your email address to anyone else.

Just take a look through our blog to get an idea of the subject matter. We enjoy keeping up to date with the cutting edge of 3D, and now we can keep you up to date as well.

This means approximately an email per week (possibly two if I get really excited).

Contact me anytime with any issues or queries.

Hypercosm, 3D on the web!

Hypercosm's 3D teleporter for the web has been under development since 1991 but is now really starting to turn heads.

Unlike Google's 3D viewer or swiveller (hit '3D view') the Hypercosm teleporter offers a high level of interactivity

It allows 3D models to be exported directly to the web, giving you a 3D view that visitors to your website can interact with. I have just uploaded an example based on one of Totalspan's basic sheds.

This is an excellent tool and I have been asked for this sort of interactivity before. So now, thanks to Hypercosm, Coastal Concepts not only provide you with all the 3D modelling you need, to see and understand any object better, but we can export these models to your website where visitors can interact with them and get a full 3D understanding for them via the internet.

This isn't where the functionality ends, the hypercosm teleporter can be used online to create interactive simulations of just about anything. Just check out this example of a training simulation for the V-22 aircraft. The potential is HUGE!

If this sort of functionality appeals to you, or could benefit your business, contact me, I would love to discuss it further with you.

Something totally unrelated to 3D modeling but cool all the same

Mal Law, a known freak of running circles everywhere, is planning on running the seven great walks of New Zealand in seven days in an attempt to raise $50,000 for the Leukemia and Blood Foundation. Thats 360km in 7 days!

Kia Kaha Mal, looking forward to meeting up. Check out Mal's blog. An awesome effort for someone twice my age ;)

Every visit to the blog gains donations from XTRA/Yahoo so visit it regularly.

Coastal Concepts is contributing financially and I (Ash) will be running just one of these days with Mal, if you want to donate to my run follow this link

Want to know more? Check out www.7in7.org

Coastal Concepts in the 3D warehouse

You can now browse some of our models through the Google 3D warehouse. Some of these also link to the Google Earth 3D layer so you can view them in thier real geographic location, in Google Earth. You can check out Coastal Concepts' 3D warehouse profile here

This allows some of our models to be shared and downloaded, and also provides a showcase of our Google Earth models.

Its just a start at the moment but is growing all the time.

To have your building or structure in Google Earth so the whole world can see it in 3D, contact me

Google Release Building maker

Google recently released a new app entitled 'Google Building Maker' that allows you to create buildings directly in Google Earth very quickly and easily. Read about it here.

The app is very simple and only available in 50 cities world wide. To use it you move boxes of primitive faces to align with aerial photography provided by Google. It is quick and increases the accesibility of Google's 3D buildings layer. Check out Google's info on it here.

The issue is, of course, accesibility and quality.

If your building isn't in one of these 50 cities, or you want it represented in a higher level of detail and quality talk to us.

Coastal Concepts and Google Earth

Coastal Concepts now provides a service placing your building/s into Google Earth, allowing them to be viewed by millions of people all over the world. This amazing marketing tool allows people to zoom in on Google Earth and see your building in 3D, fly around it, check out the views, then click on the building itself to read a blurb about it and link to your website. This is 3D advertising that can reach people on the other side of the world who are just looking round in your neck of the woods or using Google earth to plan thier holiday there.

Imagine your Hotel is in Auckland, someone can fly in on Google Earth and see your Hotel in 3D. They can read reviews by people that have stayed there and link through to your website.

We are currently placing buildings owned by The Eastland Group in Gisborne, New Zealand, into Google Earth. This will lift the profile of thier commercial premises and help put them on the map (literally).

Here is a shot of the first building at 2 Crawford Road:

Quick Photo Presentations from Coastal Concepts

We now allow you to see what an alteration to a particular building might look like based on photographic information.

We use the latest graphical manipulation tools to achieve this, allowing you and your clients to decide on features before engaging in full architectural work or the actual building process itself. Get it looking the way you want before you start.

These before and after images show the joining of two, previously seperate, buildings. The client was able to tweak details so that when building commences, they will know exactly what they want and can be confident they will get it.

Before:

After:

RSS feed now running

You can now get the Coastal Concepts Blog direct to your reader via our RSS feed

This will allow you to recieve updates about whats happening at Coastal Concepts, what developments are being made in our services, and lots of other issues relevant to the 3D modeling and presentation world.

Flick me an email if you have any issues

If you haven't used RSS feeds before, check out this video. And then get with the program!

Sketchup 7.1 is here!

Okay okay, so I'm a bit late, but the blog is up and running now so better late than never, and what better subject to begin on than the introduction of Google Sketchup 7.1

With many new features its good to see SU 7.1 making some steps in what many will agree is the right direction.

Some of the things we appreciate most about SU 7.1 here at Coastal Concepts are:

the ability to render models more efficiently, making it easier to orbit and work on big models with less computing power.
A raft of small modifications have been made to make general drawing quicker, and even more intuitive.
You can now obtain textures directly from Google Street View

As well as this, the previously under-tooled and under intuitive Layout has been given a raft of useful additions to make it more user friendly and intuitive, its finally becoming a necessary part of the work flow.

Some excellent tools have been added for sharing and collaboration:

Sketchup now his import/export features for the COLLADA 3D file format
Generating reports, which allows you to obtain a spreadsheet of all the components in your model and their attributes, has been improved too.

Many additions have been made which you can read about on Google's official site here

For a full breakdown of the changes click here

Here is a good video on youtube showing the changes:

I'm not going to go through and repeat what Google has already said about SU7.1 so click the links above to learn more.

Sketchup is an amazing tool and we believe it has the potential to be a world beater given the right tools and improvement so it is a breath of fresh air to see Google taking more steps in the right direction.

We see the improvements as positive and are extremely glad that .dxf and .dwg support has been continued in SU pro. ATTENTION GOOGLE: Please do not remove this feature.

This may be a perceptual falacy but it seems that SU 7.1 has more 'stall time' when rendering big models. It seems to render faster than before for a period of time, and then consume all processing power for about ten seconds at a time, causing it to temporarily stall, halting work. Has anyone else noticed this or am I losing my mind? Contact me if you have an opinion either way.

Regards,

Ash

Coastal Concepts now has a blog

Welcome to the Coastal Concepts blog!

Here we will keep you updated on what is happening at Coastal Concepts and discuss relevant issues in the 3D and visualisation arenas.

Keep your eyes on here to find out the latest goings on!

Ash