When realistic physics and interior design collide...

[Anonymous]

Here's something interesting...and fun:

http://unity3d.com/gallery/live-demos/shadows

What's interesting is the degree of realism available in an interactive 3D environment - something for AC to aspire to in the 3D window!

What's fun is arranging the furniture. Try throwing it around, if you really want to wreck the place!

What's also exciting is the possiblity of exporting our models from AC or Artlantis into Unity, for publishing interactive walkthoughs on the web. (And check out the upcoming lighting effects in Unity3D v3!)

NOTE: You'll have to download and install the Unity3D Web Player to view it, but it's only about 3MB, and well worth it IMHO.

[Anonymous]

Great fun.
I kinda felt like the Cat in the Hat.
Easy to destroy, not so much fun to put it all back.
Lot's of other priorities for AC, but could see this being useful for say:
Built in ironing board being pulled down and how it might effect
view/pass by walking egress, how a rolling kit island could be moved, for tight area kitchens.
Thanks for sharing Pete.
lec

[stefan]

I have good success transferring models from Cinema4D and SketchUp into Unity3D.

Models from ArchiCAD are harder, but if you pass by Cinema4D, you get a good workflow (which stays updateable!). Modify ArchiCAD model, reload in Cinema4D (and retain materials and lighting etc...) and update in Unity3D (and retain interactivity).

The fact that the work flow in Unity3D is so well thought out makes it all feasible IMHO. You can position a model in a Unity3D scene, define interactivity and simply update the model. E.g. double click in Unity3D on the model, which opens it in Cinema4D or 3ds Max or whatever you used, do modifications and save the file. That's it. In the background, Unity3D reloads the model by converting it into FBX.

In theory it could work directly from ArchiCAD, but there is not plug-in available. Maybe if there is enough demand. But right now, using Cinema4D is sufficient.

The basic version of Unity3D is free to use, but comes without realtime shadows and image effects. The example you showed can only be made with the Pro-version. That said, the free version is very complete and usable.

[Anonymous]

this is quite awesome, would love to have some ArchiCAD models in there, I might try this with my Max models, they claim it should work, will see.....

[Anonymous]

I used Quest3d verry similar software with interactive collision and COLLADA import ,Shadow maps , HDRI , Newton Physics ... etc .
You ca try some demos at :

http://quest3d.com/index.php?id=217

http://forum.quest3d.com/index.php?board=7.0

But all this softwares is difficult to master. Try VBE and ad for realism objects made in archicad by importing 3ds with mapped realistic textures like AXYZ 3D People Models . Same with cars and other hi-res maped antourage resources . The Net be with you Luke .

[Anonymous]

I have tried out Unity 3D rel 3.0 with great result so far. Spent a few nights with it for free. However, I do not have Cinema4D like you so I used the 3DS exporter from ArchiCAD 14. Also via SketchUp (Collada) is possible.

It is very challenging and worth a deeper study as it is much superior to the VBE and can be web published! The addition of interactive sounds and interactivity in general (like birds flying in the sky above you) is GREAT and makes you architectural scenario LIVE. - Even more superior than Artlantis Studio.

We use all the mentioned solutions on a regular basis so I HAVE compared them.

I hope to move on with Unity 3D and finally do an arch. scenario published for the iPad but then I have to spent not only more time but also other ressources in terms of money.