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Virtual Earth Forum Section?
About Truespace Archives
These pages are a copy of the official truespace forums prior to their removal somewhere around 2011.
They are retained here for archive purposes only.
Virtual Earth Forum Section? // Roundtable
Post by DotNetWebs // Feb 11, 2008, 6:57am
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DotNetWebs
Total Posts: 24
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In view of recent developments I wonder if the Caligari would consider creating a new section for this forum to discuss developing models for Virtual Earth applications.
I realise this is VERY early days but as somebody who is already developing VE Apps, and wishes to use trueSpace for this purpose, I think it would be useful to have an area dedicated to this subject.
I also think other VE developers will be interested in what TS has to offer and may wish to participate in this forum and benefit from the knowledgebase of the existing TS community.
Regards
Gavin |
Post by frootee // Feb 11, 2008, 7:27am
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frootee
Total Posts: 2667
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Hi Gavin.
Yes, I think this would be a major benefit once the ball gets rolling.
Could you post some VE links here in this thread, in the meantime, so we could all get an idea of what we can expect, regarding how truespace can be used for VE applications?
Because honestly off the top of my head, I don't know how truespace can be applied to VE right now. Caligari and MS both see this as a good thing, but I don't know where truespace fits! :)
Thanks,
Froo |
Post by Délé // Feb 11, 2008, 7:35am
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Délé
Total Posts: 1374
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Seeing as VE already has 3DVIA for modeling buildings, I'm guessing that the acquisition probably has more to do with the collaborative features of trueSpace then just a modeling program to create architecture. Could be both though. It's hard to say until we hear exactly how tS is supposed to fit into the picture.
I've searched some of the VE stuff, but if anyone has any links to more info, I'd be interested too. :) |
Post by frootee // Feb 11, 2008, 8:50am
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frootee
Total Posts: 2667
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I will have to take a look at VE but, question.
Can we make our own stuff and drop it somewhere in VE,
so people can come check it out? Similar to a web page?
Are VE 'sites' linked together?
Must investigate... |
Post by trueBlue // Feb 11, 2008, 9:22am
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trueBlue
Total Posts: 1761
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One of the first places I visited after the announncement is here:
http://dev.live.com/virtualearth/
Try the Interactive SDK.
One of the first things I tired in trueSpace7.5.1 was the HTML control. I was able to show a VE map @ 600x400 on open. Problem so far is you have to allow ActiveX.
3D Live:
http://www.3ds.com/products-solutions/plm-solutions/3dlive/experience-3dlive/
3Dvia Composer:
http://www.3ds.com/products-solutions/3dvia/3dvia-composer/
3DVIA:
http://www.3ds.com/products-solutions/3dvia/
3D XML:
http://www.3ds.com/products-solutions/3dvia/3d-xml/00/
3D Life Player @ Virtual tools:
http://www.virtools.com/made-with-virtools/
Solutions:
http://www.virtools.com/solutions/index.asp |
Post by frootee // Feb 11, 2008, 9:30am
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frootee
Total Posts: 2667
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thanks trueblue. I'll check those out.
Froo |
Post by DotNetWebs // Feb 11, 2008, 9:49am
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DotNetWebs
Total Posts: 24
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...honestly off the top of my head, I don't know how truespace can be applied to VE right now. Caligari and MS both see this as a good thing, but I don't know where truespace fits! :)...
Hi Froo
I have so much I would like to say it is difficult to know where to start (hence my request for a dedicated forum)
I will try to one simple example of how I would like to use a combined TS / VE application.
Here is my simple [2D] Virtual Earth Application.
www.virtualhorsham.co.uk (this is used to help drive traffic to www.visithorsham.co.uk)
This application loads the basic VE data. It then loads custom aerial photography (because the stock images are out of date). It then adds (currently) 2 data layers that are pulled from a database. 1 layer are subscribing businesses from www.visithorsham.co.uk and the other is an audio tour consisting of mp3 files.
A good Virtual Earth resource is the Via Windows Live Virtual Earth site:
http://www.viawindowslive.com/Blog/VirtualEarth.aspx
Here is a good example from that which shows three 3D building models added to the standard layer:
http://www.veteam.members.winisp.net/3dcv/3dcv.html (you will need to install the latest VE 3D to view)
Now what I would like to do is add custom layers that add buildings to Virtual Horsham in a similar manner. I can envisage many type of layer. It may simply be the buildings that are highlighted on my 2D map (these businesses pay a subscription fee to the Visit Horsham Site and the Virtual Horsham site help drive traffic to their entries ). I would also like to have 'seasonal' layers. We have various events and festivals throughout the year. A layer might add 3D models for the stages for the music festival for example.
As another example I would like to show proposed buildings and features within the town. For example here is a hot debate about the proposed building of a new hotel in the town:
http://www.horshamforum.co.uk/Topic2648-4-1.aspx
The thread above refers to a highly controversial plan to build a hotel in the park. It would be good to have a 3D model to add to the map to help people make their own mind up on whether or not is should go ahead.
The reason I am very excited about this is that I believe ultimately there will be an trueSpace object model that will be accessible from Virtual Earth. This will allow models to be loaded, customised and rendered in real time. The potential is HUGE. Just as Microsoft have developed Silverlight to enable closely coupled 2D animations to ASP.net applications I think trueSpace models could ultimately be closely coupled to the ASP.net platform. As an example when a user clicks on the map icon within the Visit Horsham application they are simply shown a 2D image on the map. As an example imagine if instead they where taken to the Virtual Horsham 3D map. To highlight their building you load the model and render it in colour and high resolution, to put it in perspective you render the other buildings in monochrome and low resolution etc. etc.
Anyway I am waffling now. Hopefully you get where I am coming from!
Another good reference for VE is the MSDN Virtual Earth Forum:
http://forums.microsoft.com/MSDN/ShowForum.aspx?ForumID=537&SiteID=1
I will post there later to try and discuss the same issues from the VE point of view.
Regards
Gavin |
Post by DotNetWebs // Feb 11, 2008, 9:56am
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DotNetWebs
Total Posts: 24
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...Problem so far is you have to allow ActiveX...
This is true but if you create a VE application you can have a 2D entry point that does not require ActiveX (just JavaScript). You can then give your users the option to 'go 3D' (whilst warning them that they may have to install an ActiveX component).
Regards
Gavin |
Post by frootee // Feb 11, 2008, 10:04am
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frootee
Total Posts: 2667
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Thanks for the information DotNetWebs. Good information to peruse through.
Froo |
Post by frootee // Feb 11, 2008, 10:28am
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frootee
Total Posts: 2667
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So, what else can you do with VE and applications which support it besides display maps? I checked out the links trueblue showed and quite honestly, for me, they looked more interesting than the VE maps with houses and cars. :) I gotta be honest here.
I think if we as a community can investigate and explore the opportunities available under the VE umbrella, if we can learn what is capable, we can more easily picture how truespace can fit into the picture, and what we can do with it. |
Post by DotNetWebs // Feb 11, 2008, 11:09am
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DotNetWebs
Total Posts: 24
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So, what else can you do with VE and applications which support it besides display maps? ...
Virtual Earth is all about geospatial data which by it's very nature has 'maps' at the heart of it. This is my current focus and why I am excited about it.
Looking beyond that, as I alluded to in my previous post, I am hoping that the TS / MS collaboration will allow a TS object model to be accessed and controlled by other MS technologies such as the .net platform. For example I have previously created trueSpace models for a web based training application. In the past to use the models I have had to render them off line and then use a webpage to load a predetermined image or an animation. e.g:
http://www.dotnetwebs.co.uk/wbt/aSimpleVSI.html
What I envisage is the ability of the server application to communicate directly with the trueSpace model and set the model properties etc. As I mentioned Silverlight has enabled this scenario for the 2D world. I currently use Flash as the ability to communicate between a server application and a flash .swf file is rudimentary to say the least. Although I have to admit I have not used Silverlight in anger yet, I have seen the potential for controlling a 2D animation from a server application. I am hoping that 3D models will be equally accessible.
Regards
Gavin |
Post by frootee // Feb 11, 2008, 11:30am
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frootee
Total Posts: 2667
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Thanks Gavin.
I see now your interest in truespace and MS technology merging.
I am at work and as such do not have too much time to explore the VE web pages; hence the reason I am asking these questions; I'm interested in answers but don't have too much time right now to investigate. :)
So... I also reread the Captain's Blog entry. I am getting a clearer picture here of what the MS/truespace merger is all about. Hopefully expressing our thoughts like this will help shed light on the situation.
My initial thought was, "what does truespace have to do with maps? I'll just use mapquest if I want a map!" :D
What you are describing is trueplay really, but on a much higher level, with a much broader user base. Maybe that is vague but that's what it sounds like off the top of my head.
Now if we can just some good IK in there with CrazyBob (the nudist with a passion for tanning booths) we'll be rockin!
Froo |
Post by DotNetWebs // Feb 11, 2008, 11:35am
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DotNetWebs
Total Posts: 24
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...What you are describing is trueplay really, but on a much higher level, with a much broader user base. Maybe that is vague but that's what it sounds like off the top of my head...
Exactly that! - image a geospatially accurate truePlay that can be controlled by external data - That's what I am after anyway :)
Regards
Gavin |
Post by trueBlue // Feb 11, 2008, 11:38am
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trueBlue
Total Posts: 1761
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So, what else can you do with VE and applications which support it besides display maps? I checked out the links trueblue showed and quite honestly, for me, they looked more interesting than the VE maps with houses and cars. :) I gotta be honest here.
I think if we as a community can investigate and explore the opportunities available under the VE umbrella, if we can learn what is capable, we can more easily picture how truespace can fit into the picture, and what we can do with it.
Somewhere in those links I supplied and I forget which application it was, supported tS cob files as an import.
Edit: Found it:
http://www.3dvia.com/help/authoring_softwares_table.php
and since tS7.5.1 can export Collada I suppose that means that the Rosetta file format will be an option too. |
Post by frootee // Feb 11, 2008, 11:43am
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frootee
Total Posts: 2667
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Somewhere in those links I supplied and I forget which application it was, supported tS cob files as an import.
Edit: Found it:
http://www.3dvia.com/help/authoring_softwares_table.php
Maybe the composer app?
Hm... get your models out on the web for fun and profit... hehe! TurboSquid... Renderosity... Trueplay. Interesting.. |
Post by frootee // Feb 11, 2008, 11:46am
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frootee
Total Posts: 2667
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Exactly that! - image a geospatially accurate truePlay that can be controlled by external data - That's what I am after anyway :)
Regards
Gavin
External data. Yep. I am interested in displaying data gathered from external sources as well, though not specifically for map data; rather, training simulations and demonstrations. Real world data can be captured, and played back for testing and validating various sensor configurations. For a customer, the simulation can be reran for a closer look.
EDIT:
Real Time data feed would also be very useful; forgot to add that! being able to feed trueplay objects real time positional data would be totally cool. Of course, this may be possible already, with some scripting / coding... |
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