topic Re: Unity for Architectural Visualization book released in Collaboration with other software

Unity for Architectural Visualization book released

stefan — Thu, 26 Sep 2013 19:23:41 GMT

Packt Publishing just released my book on Unity for Architectural Visualization. AFAIK, it's the first of its kind and there are several examples using ArchiCAD and CINEMA 4D included.

www.packtpub.com/unity-for-architectural-visualization/book

You can download a free sample chapter, which will get you started:
www.packtpub.com/sites/default/files/9781783559060_Chapter-02_0.pdf

Re: Unity for Architectural Visualization book released

Anonymous — Mon, 30 Sep 2013 18:53:01 GMT

COOL! Just downloaded my copy. Thanks.

Re: Unity for Architectural Visualization book released

Anonymous — Wed, 02 Oct 2013 21:33:07 GMT

Stefan,

Ordered my copy!!! Can't wait to see it. I've been using Unity for a few months now, and have actually had a handful of paying jobs for it.

The nice thing about the Unity presentation is that it creates an independent program file that will run on pretty much any computer. No need to 'screen' what the client or consultant will be using to view it. As long as it's a reasonably capable machine, it'll run the presentation without any external inputs / requirements.

It's capable of some slick effects, too... We did one house with a camera animated 'fly in', that gave you an overall exterior view of the building and site, then took you up the driveway and to the porte cochere, from whence you were released to 'walk around' on your own. Clients were delighted with the result, and it helped us defend (and retain) some aspects of the design that the clients were resisting because they couldn't quite comprehend them.

Very curious to see your techniques.

Thanks for this work; I'm certain it will be a valuable resource. This is like Christmas!

Re: Unity for Architectural Visualization book released

Anonymous — Thu, 03 Oct 2013 00:43:06 GMT

Just ordered the paper back version from Amazon.
Since this is the first time I've heard of Unity, I'm curious...
I'm sure I'll eventually figure it out, but seems like Unity is a cross between
or compilation of say, Bimx and Artlantis?

Re: Unity for Architectural Visualization book released

Anonymous — Thu, 03 Oct 2013 04:22:32 GMT

Lec,

Yeah.. That's pretty much it. The best part is that the Unity software is... wait for it... FREE! It's a game engine, and the developers want to encourage people to adopt it's ecosystem. It's very easy to use. I tried Unity and Unreal... Unity was much easier to adapt to for an AC BIM Monkey.

There's a Pro version, but the only things I really wish I had from it are the live heliodon and live shadows. You can get shadows in the free version, but you need to map them, which incurs a little processing time. For houses, it's not a big deal.

I'm sure Stefan is going to have a wealth of helpful tips. I'm glad somebody else was playing with it all this time since we discussed it here a few months back.

Re: Unity for Architectural Visualization book released

Srinivas — Thu, 03 Oct 2013 04:50:44 GMT

Dave,
Thanks for your inputs, any chance we can see your works with Unity, like your construction documents that you have on your website.
Thank you,
Srinivas

Re: Unity for Architectural Visualization book released

Anonymous — Thu, 03 Oct 2013 06:26:13 GMT

Srinivas,

Actually, yes.. The examples I posted a while back are still on my server. Here they are:

For PC - http://www.dmsdesign.us/planrm/CHIOU_2011-08-17.zip
For MAC - http://www.dmsdesign.us/planrm/CHIOU_2011-08-17_MAC.zip

Just unzip to a folder, click the executable and you're in cyber architecture land.

This is the first one I tried. I've gotten a little better, now.. and a lot faster. Once you've got your sea-legs, you can put together presentations like these in about a day. It's updatable, too.. For me, the work flow is a lot like it would be in Artlantis; Model in AC, then do textures, materials and entourage in Unity.

All the cool kids are doin' it, man!

Re: Unity for Architectural Visualization book released

Srinivas — Thu, 03 Oct 2013 06:32:30 GMT

Dave,
Thank you so much!
Srinivas

Re: Unity for Architectural Visualization book released

stefan — Thu, 03 Oct 2013 06:59:11 GMT

Dave wrote:
There's a Pro version, but the only things I really wish I had from it are the live heliodon and live shadows. You can get shadows in the free version, but you need to map them, which incurs a little processing time. For houses, it's not a big deal.

Since 4.2 the free version has realtime hard shadows for Directional Lights (Sun). There are some nice features in Pro that appeal to architects, though: full screen image effects, real-time shadows for other light types, soft shadows and bounced lighting in baking.

I see Unity mostly as an open alternative to BIMx.

With BIMx, you get good results, a well though-out navigation scheme and good device support. It is easy to do from ArchiCAD and works well. But there is no way you can extend or change it.

With Unity, it'll take time and effort, for sure. But the sky is the limit. You can add moving characters, create animated opening doors, add a floating logo, implement custom info panels, link to online data, link to a Kinect or Wii-remote, request data from a database.
However, this comes at a cost: time and effort!

This book can only handle so much, so don't expect all these nitty-gritty technical detail to be there. But it should at least get you started on the things that matter most in the beginning.

And since it focuses on Architecture, it can skip a lot of the stuff that other books go into.

I would love to hear your thoughts on the actual book 😉

Re: Unity for Architectural Visualization book released

Anonymous — Thu, 03 Oct 2013 07:26:15 GMT

Stefan - thanks for the info! Time to go upgrade.

I should check in there at Unity's site more often. Live shadows from the sun light would pretty much put me in heaven.

Since the demo shown here, I've gotten better at doing interior lighting... Although it will be good to see how you've handled that aspect in your book.

Agree... It's 'open source' format makes it a winner.

Re: Unity for Architectural Visualization book released

Eduardo Rolon — Mon, 14 Oct 2013 20:07:19 GMT

Stefan,

Have you integrated this in the curriculum at your school?

Re: Unity for Architectural Visualization book released

stefan — Mon, 14 Oct 2013 20:58:20 GMT

I've not integrated the book itself, as the students have only a short introduction, but I suggest Thesis-students to use it (when applicable).

My students learn it by following video tutorials I recorded, where a large part of this content is included. They are in Dutch and recorded with Unity 3.5. I'm currently negotiating recording English updated videos which will probably have a similar outline as the book.

Re: Unity for Architectural Visualization book released

Anonymous — Tue, 15 Oct 2013 00:40:55 GMT

Hi Stefan,

Your book was a great idea, thanks. I am still thinking on likewise methods to integrate project visualization into an alternative and reasonable, not so time consuming tool and one possible way found. Months ago I also checked unity as well, however find some limitation which keep me away from the product. At the first glance FREE version deemed great idea however there are some limitation in quality comparing with the full 1000$ version. So I just have no idea whether it is worth or not this price.
Also could be better then BIMx regarding game engine can be highly programmable. Have you also dedicated chapter(s) for that as well?

Regards
Andras

Re: Unity for Architectural Visualization book released

Anonymous — Tue, 15 Oct 2013 04:21:14 GMT

Stefan,

Received my copy of the book a few days ago.

Nice job! A wealth of helpful tips; especially the section on lighting. That helped me improve my images quite a lot. Lighting was one area I really wanted some help with, and the book did not disappoint.

Will also get into the shader scripting on the next project. Harnessing that system's true power will make for great presentations.

Will definitely have this book opened at my side when working in Unity.

For anyone wanting to try out the Unity software, Stefan's text will save you a lot of time and prevent hair loss (from pulling it out).

Thanks again, Stefan!

Re: Unity for Architectural Visualization book released

stefan — Tue, 15 Oct 2013 15:33:45 GMT

andras wrote:
Hi Stefan,

Your book was a great idea, thanks. I am still thinking on likewise methods to integrate project visualization into an alternative and reasonable, not so time consuming tool and one possible way found. Months ago I also checked unity as well, however find some limitation which keep me away from the product. At the first glance FREE version deemed great idea however there are some limitation in quality comparing with the full 1000$ version. So I just have no idea whether it is worth or not this price.
Also could be better then BIMx regarding game engine can be highly programmable. Have you also dedicated chapter(s) for that as well?

Regards
Andras

I mention BIMx and mention why you would opt for Unity (or stick with BIMx).

BIMx = predefined > quality is good (with GI) and easy to use, export is also easy, but there is nothing you can add.

(Graphisoft is busy extending BIMx with additional modules, though).

Unity = open ended > takes more effort and good visual quality takes more steps, but you can program and extend it endlessly.
Start small, with basic scripts (use the ones explained in the book) and improve them and extend them piecemeal. Don't try to make everything from your very first project.
Right now, most architects are not capable of producing this kind of output, so you'll have a definite advantage if you step on this right now.

Re: Unity for Architectural Visualization book released

stefan — Tue, 15 Oct 2013 15:34:30 GMT

Dave wrote:
Stefan,

Received my copy of the book a few days ago.

Nice job! A wealth of helpful tips; especially the section on lighting. That helped me improve my images quite a lot. Lighting was one area I really wanted some help with, and the book did not disappoint.

Will also get into the shader scripting on the next project. Harnessing that system's true power will make for great presentations.

Will definitely have this book opened at my side when working in Unity.

For anyone wanting to try out the Unity software, Stefan's text will save you a lot of time and prevent hair loss (from pulling it out).

Thanks again, Stefan!

You made my day 😉
Thank you for your kind words.

Re: Unity for Architectural Visualization book released

stefan — Tue, 29 Oct 2013 11:25:50 GMT

Anyone read the book and has something to share? Ideas for an "advanced edition"?