3D ENGINE/DEVELOPER TOOLS ANALYSIS

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1 3D ENGINE/DEVELOPER TOOLS ANALYSIS SETH DAVIS MING TANG

2 X3D X3D is a royalty-free open standards file format and run-time architecture to represent and communicate 3D scenes and objects using XML. It is an ISO ratified standard that provides a system for the storage, retrieval and playback of real time graphics content embedded in applications, all within an open architecture to support a wide array of domains and user scenarios. X3D has a rich set of componentized features that can tailored for use in engineering and scientific visualization, CAD and architecture, medical visualization, training and simulation, multimedia, entertainment, education, and more. The development of real-time communication of 3D data across all applications and network applications has evolved from its beginnings as the Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML) to the considerably more mature and refined X3D standard. EXAMPLES

3 ADVANTAGES XML Integrated: Cross-platform, usable with Web Services, Distributed Networks, inter-application model transfer Componentized: allows lightweight core 3D run-time delivery engine Extensible: allows components to be added to extend functionality for vertical market applications and services Profiled: standardized sets of extensions to meet specific application needs Evolutionary: easy to update and preserve VRML97 content as X3D Broadcast/Embedded Application Ready: from mobile phones to supercomputers Real-Time: graphics are high quality, real-time, interactive, and include audio and video as well as 3D data. Well-Specified: makes it easier to build conformant, consistent and bug-free implementations Its connection with Web3D is very nice but over all lacks the professional quality of an accurate representation. X3D is a great precursor and is a interesting step to better understand the Web3D resources and conferences which will be beneficial.

4 UNITY Unity is a development platform for creating multiplatform 3D and 2D games and interactive Experiences. Unity often praised for it easy to learn interface, expressing itself as the lowest required learning code for similar programs. Unity has the advantage of being able to produce a relatively high quality product with no coding and no monetary investment. EXAMPLES OF ARCHITECTURE VISUALIZATION

5 Unity was quick to pick up due to its tutorials on their website and the premade projects available. Unity has an active community that seems to be helpful with questions you may have. When loading up unity the first time you are able to test different player perspectives from the start such as 2d, 3d, first person, and third person.

6 Textures and lighting appears flat in cases Hard lights bleed over and wash out poorly Indirect lighting doesn t pick up bump maps as well as desired Shadow edges and depth underperformed expectations Shadows and light do not appear to change on smaller nuanced surfaces

7 UNREAL ENGINE Unreal Engine 4 is an engine released from Epic Games. UE4 has some amazing graphical abilities such as Advanced dynamic lighting capabilities and a new particle system which can handle up to a million particles in a scene at one time. Lighting quality s are far beyond its competitors and ability to code makes for possibilities. WHY UNREAL? DirectX 11 & 12 Rendering Features Cascade Visual Effects New Material Pipeline Blueprint Visual Scripting Live Blueprint Debugging Content Browser Persona Animation Matinee Cinematics Terrain & Foliage Post-Process Effects Full Source Code Access Professional Source Control C++ Code View Hot Reload Function Simulate & Immersive Views Instant Game Preview Possess & Eject Features Artificial Intelligence Audio Leading Middleware Integrations

8 UNITY VS UNREAL ENGINE

9 VISUAL SCRIPTED MATERIALS The way UE4 handles materials is though visual scripting, much like grasshopper. This in a huge benefit as you have much more control and understanding of how to modify the material. The options and name call can be found on the right hand column making learning very quick and easy. The active preview of the material can be found on the left and will change as New modifications are done, helping the user understand the units are registering. EXAMPLES OF ARCHITECTURE VISUALIZATION

10 A familiar display will be found when modeling compared to other 3D modeling programs such as Rhinoceros or Autocad. Much like these programs, you will find a variety of view ports as well as types of ways this view can be set to. UE4 really begins to shine in rendered mode, seen in the image below. Being able to model in this type of view is incredible and truly helps with understanding the space being designed.

11 UE4 offers many advantages to students and faculty. From free software to grants upwards of $75,000, Unreal continues to invest in its community. The website has a massive community and multiple set of documentation to help you equip yourself for the task at hand. More importantly, UE4 is eager to expand outside of game design and into architecture visualization making it a prime candidate to learn in its early stages.

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13 PROCESS

14 The process I personally find works best for moving Rhino files to Unreal Engine goes as follows. Convert Objects to meshes and Export to.obj. I then Use Autodesk FBX Converter to convert the file to FBX. The FBX file can then be brought in as an object into Unreal and placed into the model.

15 GOALS AND IMPLEMENTATIONS

16 The next step is to move my these project over to unreal and begin to create blueprints to actively create physics and movements. As pieces of my building move, it will be crucial to accurate create an experience to accurately represent the movement of these experiences. This will represent not only the architectural atmosphere of the interior but also help display the design intentions of the variable movements of the building. In this way, the user could experience the views and atmosphere of being within the space as it is moving.

17 Due to grain of the wood and the limitations of tools this structure isn t accurately constructed. Proper Construction will require 3d printing do to its shape and its requirement for tolerances. This creates an Opportunity to create not only a digital representation and experience of something created digitally, but also translate something physical from a digital experience.