Real time interactive environments have been, until very recently, essentially untheorised. And while the emergence of readily accessible real time rendering and physics engines offers an opportunity to revolutionise design. Town Hall Train Station in Sydney is the topic of this real time environment. It has been imported into gaming software for a user orientated experience to architecture.
After thorough evaluation, and in-depth testing I have concluded that the simplest method to successfully interact with your own custom 3D models in Crysis, is to model/texture it in Google SketchUp, then import it directly into Crysis. Not only does this workflow have less steps than the Solidworks, 3DS Max, Crysis workflow, but SketchUp's interface is much simpler and user friendly. Textures are much easier to apply, and from my experience the advantages gained by using 3DS Max were simply not worth it. As well as this, in my research SketchUp didn't restrict the amount of polys I could import into Crysis. For a complex model with multiple different parts that need intricate texturing, I will admit the SolidWorks, 3DS Max, Crysis workflow may be more appropriate. But when it comes down to what is the simplest way to interact in a real-time environment with your own custom 3D models a SketchUp, Crysis workflow is definitely the standout.
This animation takes you through a basic navigation of my Town Hall Model in Crysis. You can see how much floor space the main stairs take up on the mid level platforms, leaving minimal space for passengers to wait. The implementation of my installation will increase the platform space, thus giving commuters more room to wait for their train. It will also reduce the congestion during the process of passengers boarding and alighting from the train.
Two CAMstudio video clips that demonstrate an aspect of the research question.
Seeing as my research question is to find out what is the simplest methods to successfully interact with your own custom 3D model in Crysis. I have decided to post two videos captured using CAMstudio to show the export process from both SketchUp and SolidWorks. These are the two different mediums used to create our 3D models for Crysis in both EXP1 and EXP2. The SketchUp file is exported as a .kmz and the SolidWorks file is saved as a .stl file.
How does an element of Stuart Bull's lecture reflect our work
on EXP2?
The main thing I noticed from Stuart's lecture was the integration between specific programs. He spoke about plugins used to export files from programs like "Rhino", "Revit", "AutoCAD" and truss specific programs. This process came across as very similar to the way we have been using SolidWorks, 3DS Max and Crysis in EXP2. Utilising each program to the best of their ability, then exporting the model to another program to take advantage of its new features. He also mentioned the redundancy of 2D modelling software, and how certain clients simply reject people that aren't prepared to work in 3D. This is appropriate to our work in EXP2, as we are using up to date modelling software in collaboration with cutting edge gaming technology to allow a complete degree of real-time interation with our Town Hall environments.
Crysis Image Captures.
These images show the final model of Town Hall Station after having textures applied in 3DS Max and being imported into Crysis.
What is the simplest method to successfully interact with your own custom 3D models in Crysis?
In the outline for the research assignment it states that we are to "be perceptive to and document the strengths, weaknessess, opportunities and differences in the two workflows engaged with in EXP1 and EXP2". For my assignment I figured what better question to ask than what is the simplest method to get your own custom 3D models into Crysis. After having to complete both workflows for our compulsory experiments I hope to have a decent knowledge of the pathways taken, and to find out which is not only the most successful, but the simplest method to allow for real-time interactivity with a custom made model in the gaming software Crysis.
Town Hall Subway Station.
These images show a comparison between my SolidWorks model of Town Hall Subway Station and the real life floor plan.
Wireframe image capture of the overall model in 3DS Max.
Strengths, Weaknesses and Opportunities of SolidWorks, 3DS, Crysis Workflow.
The initial processes involved with the SolidWorks, 3DS and Crysis workflow were quite intimidating. Having very limited experience with 3D Studio Max the intricate settings required to successfully achieve the desired output were quite confusing. After already being familiar with the workflow between SketchUp and Crysis I found it hard adapting to the new software. However having said that, after watching the tutor explain the process multiple times, and referring to the provided documentation I familiarised myself within a few hours of using it all. I think that this particular workflow is not very user friendly. With lots of steps to remember, and many different file extensions I don't think that simply anyone could complete this. Once the user is efficient with the process there are definitely many strengths of this workflow. Being able to apply as many textures as you please to any surface, as well as being able to adjust the size and angle of the texture on its surface. The biggest strength of the process comes in SolidWorks. Its ability to model up complex shapes and assemblies is astounding. However this potential is let down when it comes to 3DS Max. Max cannot export to the appropriate Crysis file extension if there are too many polys and/or nodes in the model. Thus restricting the potential of SolidWorks. In terms of an overall critique, this particular workflow has a great deal of potential for complex and detailed models to be imported into Crysis. The biggest challenge is familiarising the user with the required steps.
Town Hall Subway Station.
These are some images of my finalised SolidWorks model of Town Hall Subway Station.
These images show my model being imported into Crysis. I wasn't able to import it all as one solid as it had too many polys. I had to go back and segment in into different parts. The textures applied in 3DS Max can also be seen here.
These images show the completed stairs that access ground level to platforms 1, 2 and 3 on the middle level. It also shows the escalators that access ground level to platforms 4, 5 and 6 on the lower level. All that is left now is the stairs from the middle level to the lower level and the details (ticket booths etc.) on the ground level.
The initial concept for my installation is in relation to the flow of people within Town Hall Station. The main thing I noticed from my visits was that the most congested platforms (1,2 & 3) had less surface area than the lesser populated platforms (4, 5 & 6). The stairs accessing the mid-level platforms from ground are double the width to accommodate the larger flow of commuters. However it is this increased stair width that reduces the space for commuters to wait for trains. The escalators that access the lower-level platforms from ground don't stop at the mid-level platforms, but the space required for them to access the lower-level means the platform space is reduced further. Sure this doesn't effect things during the quiet hours of travel, but during peak hour the trains running around city circle and mainstream routes (the most congested) stop on the platforms with the least amount of space for commuters.
The installation in my Town Hall model is going to be stairs on the congested platforms that retract in width during peak hour. This will give more room for passengers to wait for, and get on and off the trains. Even though the stair width has decreased, there are still four different access points and plenty of room for passengers to leave the station. The stairs will remain at the original width during regular hours to keep the symmetry of the platforms constant.
This change in width can be seen in the animation below.
Pro's & Con's of Documentation Methods.
As previously mentioned on my blog. We were quite limited in the resources available for our Town Hall documentation. This meant that without accurate references the "realism" of our models would be effected. A map of the "planned vision" for Town Hall Station was accessible, however this did not entirely match the current state of the Station.
For me, the camera was the most useful documentation tool. Even though you could not get exact measurements from the images, it gave you an overall feel for the environment, and was relatively accurate in terms of where the different elements were located. The biggest con of the camera was that other people at the station looked at you very suspiciously, and thought you were trying to invade their privacy and take photos of them.
The second most useful tool was sketching. Early in the process I did not even identify this as a suitable tool for documentation. However the times I visited the station I took quick sketches of the subway layout, critical objects, and also noted down specific measurements. Then when I continued on my model I found myself referring to my sketches even more than the images.
The tape measure was not as useful as I had hoped. It was really only used to get the stair heights and treads along with hand rail heights and thicknesses. The rest of the station was too big to successfully measure, and once again the general public seemed really confused as to what you were trying to do and CityRail employees were also a bit concerned.
I didn't end up using my video camera to document the station. I had planned to use it in order to analyse the flow of people and human interaction with the space. However I found that the still camera was weird enough for the general public, and felt that simply sitting on a chair and watching how people move and the way they travel through the space was successful enough.
"Everything that begins where your fingertips end." "The depiction of subject matter as they appear in everyday life, without alteration or personal interpretation". These statements portray one way that realism can be defined within the real world. In the digital world we associate realism with how closely it matches our physical reality. Russell's lecture on "Pure War" looked at the realism of weapons, simulators and manufacturing methods, along with the rapid improvements in technology that allows us to perform the tasks we do with computers. We looked at how representing reality through digital media allows the user to experiment with that environment and observe the effects. In terms of the lecture relating to Town Hall Subway Station, I think simulation and technology are the most significant. The gaming technology we are using essentially creates a live simulation of the station that we can explore in real time. This includes the use of many different programs to perform their own unique outcomes on the quest for perfection of reality.
Export model from SolidWorks to 3DS Max to Crysis.
I had not yet finalised my Town Hall Subway Station model, so I just used the simple shape of a house for today's Laboratory work. This way I was still able to satisfy the requirements for the tutorial, and was able to familiarise myself with the necessary processes.
After following the instructions on russell's website I managed to perform the tasks relatively easily. However when I imported the object into Crysis the textures did not appear. This seemed to be a common problem in my tutorial class. However after I had uploaded this image we were shown how to overcome the issue.
Options I intend on using for my analysis of Town Hall Subway Station.
Camera: I think that the camera will be the most useful tool when it comes to conducting research on Town Hall Station. As I said earlier, photos will give a realistic feeling of space, and will also help to gauge distance and observe textures and materiality. Image captures can also give you a feeling for the general publics interaction within the space. In terms of creating a realistic environment photos will be a very powerful tool, mainly when it comes to the "feel" of the space, along with realistic textures. Tape Measure: I think a tape measure will also be an effective tool, as it is easily carried with you and allows for measurement of smaller objects like stairs and handrails. It can also be used to create a realistic environment by measuring things like tiles, bricks or doorways in order to get a scale reference. Video Camera: In order to achieve a successful analysis of human interaction and sound, I think that a video camera would be the most appropriate tool. It would also allow you to do a walk through of the space and help to achieve as realistic environment as possible.
There are many different methods that could be more successful in terms of obtaining measurements to achieve a realistic environment. However these are the ones that are most easily accessible for me, and easy to use when I get to Town Hall Station.
Selection of images from Town Hall visit.
Progression of SolidWorks model.
The basic levels have been established. The main hand rail has been modeled on the lower level along with the train tracks. I wanted to include the rails as they are a critical element in identifying your surrounding environment.
Ways to measure aspects of a real site in relation to geometry, materiality, light, sound and interaction.
Geometry:
Photos: These give you a realistic feeling of the space, can also be used to gauge distance (eg, tiles) and observe textures/materiality. Tape Measure: Mainly related to geometry. 3D Laser Scanner: A very effective, but expensive and hard to come by implement. Trundle Wheel: Often used to line out sporting fields, but are also useful for measuring curves. Although they are not totally accurate. GPS: Global Positioning System provides reliable positioning, navigation and timing services to worldwide users.
Materiality:
Durometer: This instrument measures the hardness of a material. Hardness may be defined as a materials resistance to permanent indentation. Impulse excitation technique: A small mechanical impulse causes the sample to vibrate. The vibration depends on elastic properties, density, geometry and inner structures. Universal Testing Machine: Used to test the tensile and compressive properties of materials.
Sound:
Microphone: Is an accoustic-to-electric sensor that converts sound into an electrical signal, used for recording sound. Sound level meter: Measures sound pressure level and is commonly used in noise pollution studies.
Interaction:
Video Camera:
Record human interaction and sound. Personal Interaction: Just walking through the space your human senses can take in a great deal. Touch in relation to materiality, listening to gauge the sound, and just being located in the space you can see how different interaction takes place (sitting, waiting, walking etc.)
