Prim Torture by Ayumi Cassini

It is amazing what you can do with a Second Life Prim...... Here is a link to examples by a master twister.

Spring II

• Rez a torus
• Set Size to: X=0.500, Y=0.300 and Z=0.300
• Set Skew to: 0.80
• Set Hole Size to: X=0.10 and Y=0.05
• Set Revolutions to: 4.00

See her full blog post with dozens of fantastic examples:
http://ayumicassini.blogspot.com

Creating a New Avatar for RealXtend / Ogre

Natal for the Office - Is it time for a New Metaphor beyond the Desktop & the Browser?

Bill Gates in an interview with Cnet said two things:

cnet:
I'm curious of your thoughts of how Microsoft is doing as a company since you left. I'd also be remiss if I didn't ask you what you thought of Google's efforts to get in the OS arena.

I guess there is the notion, though, and I know Microsoft Research had been looking at it, too, of whether the browser, because it's become so central to so much of our work, needs to take on more operating system-like characteristics.

Gates:
It just shows the word browser has become a truly meaningless word. Anyway, what's a browser, what's not a browser? If you're playing a movie, is that a browser or not a browser? If you're doing annotations is that a browser or not a browser? If you're editing text, is that a browser or not a browser? In large part it's more an abuse of terminology than a real change.

&

Gates:
The part of Microsoft I stay up to date the most on is probably the research group. I was over at the Cambridge lab a few weeks ago, over at the India lab as part of a trip I take this month, and that's really the sort of crown jewel in terms of always feeding neat new things into Microsoft. I'd say a cool example of that, that you'll see is kind of stunning, in a little over a year, is this (depth-sensing) camera thing... Not just for games, but for media consumption as a whole... If they connect it up to Windows PCs for interacting in terms of meetings, and collaboration, and communication, you put the camera in now it's a cool thing, and it's just an example where Microsoft research did the original stuff to show, with the depth information, something great could be done. Then both the Xbox guys and the Windows guys latched onto that and now even since they latched onto it the idea of how it can be used in the office is getting much more concrete, and is pretty exciting.

So Microsoft is a very innovative company, but obviously in a hyper-competitive field, which is what makes it such a great field.

cnet:
I'm not sure I understood that last point. You're talking about cameras, you were talking about like the depth sensing cameras that are in Natal?

Gates:
Yes, exactly, Natal. The software libraries and applications we're doing around Natal.

cnet:
And we'll basically see that in more than gaming? We'll see it in other scenarios, too?

Gates:
Well, I think the value is as great for if you're in the home, as you want to manage your movies, music, home system type stuff, it's very cool there. And I think there's incredible value as we use that in the office connected to a Windows PC. So Microsoft research and the product groups have a lot going on there, because you can use the cost reduction that will take place over the years to say, "Why shouldn't that be in most office environments?"

Building Real Virtual Space - Dubai

The Nations Experience Tower is a project conceived to become a cultural landmark for the contemporary times. Together with the tower, a number of capsules would be spread throughout the globe creating a net of real time immersive reality. By enabling a close contact between an array of people from distant locations and different backgrounds, the proposal celebrates the gathering of the nations on common objectives at the same time that emphasizes the importance of distinct identities and global diversity.
The project was developed by Hype Studio for the XI ThyssenKrupp Architecture Award Tall Emblem Structure in Zaabeel Park - Dubai.

By: Hype Studio, Brazil

News: Google Chrome OS

I have been working with Awesomium & NaviLibray for a few months (see previous post) powered by Google Chrome's port of WebKit (including the Skia renderer and V8 JS engine) & ogre3d. Now Google ghas expanded its vision.

This is going to get interesting.
I wonder, It is time for a
3D OS

?
link to the announcement 07/07/2009 - introducing-google-chrome-os

considering the convergence of technologies

OpenCl, Collada, Wave,
O3D
and the players
Apple, Intel, AMD

This is already interesting.

Havok and AMD show off OpenCL with pretty pretty dresses

With all the talk about OpenCL and Snow Leopard together and how the spec will allow Apple's upcoming hotness to exploit graphics accelerators, it's easy to lose track of the place where the standard could make its biggest impact: gaming. Yes, OpenGL may have lost favor in that realm in recent years, but OpenCL looks to captivate the hearts and GPUs of gamers everywhere by applying some much-needed standardization to the physics acceleration realm, first shown in public at GDC running on some AMD hardware. Havok is demonstrating its Havok Cloth and Havoc Destruction engines, the former of which is embedded below, and we think you'll agree it's quite impressive. OpenCL allows such acceleration to switch between the GPU and CPU seamlessly and as needed depending on which is more available, hopefully opening the door to physics acceleration that actually affects gameplay and doesn't just exist to make you say, "Whoa."

Via: http://www.engadget.com/ march 27th 2009

Realtime, Multi-User, Online, 3D, Immersive Virtual Architecture Visualization

Yesturday I posted an image by Architect & CGI artist Peter Guthrie modeled & produced using CGI tools. Today i would like to show a few "snapshots" by Architect - Jon Brouchoud. These are rendered realtime as you walk through the model..

See the avatars.... this easily can be you with your client... Zoom your camera back and take a snapshot.. Done.

Since Jon received his new PC he has been using it to demonstrate the state of the art in Realtime, Multi-User, Online, 3D, Immersive Virtual Worlds.


Realtime, Multi-User, Online, 3D, Immersive Virtual Architecture Visualization, originally uploaded by keystone1111.

Above is a model model imported and rendered by Jules Vos is hosted on a Modrex platform (www.visibuild3d.com) and viewed over the net using the RealXtend viewer.

Below are models created by jon aka Keystone in Second Life and viewed using Kirstens S17 SL & OS Viewer w/ Shadows.

Kirstens S17 2009-07-05 22-49-23-80, originally uploaded by keystone1111.

Follow Keystones explorations @

• http://archsl.wordpress.com/
• http://archvirtual.com/
  

State of the Art - Architectural CGI

Proposed conversion of a ruined church in Dublin into a new office space for DTA Architects and Carrig Conservation.

On occasion I will showcase the work of a talented CGI artist. Here you will see something remarkable. A rendered scene seen through the eye of an architectural photographer, Peter Guthrie, London & Stockholm
http://www.peterguthrie.net/

IFC2x4 beta1

Image above from the BIMForum is the Associated General Contractors of America’s (AGC) task force on Building Information Modeling (BIM). BIMForum’s 1500+ members collaborate virtually via the online forum.

The IFC2x Edition 4 beta 1 release has been published on 12.05.2009. The beta 1 release marks the feature-freeze state for IFC2x4. It is provided to extensive public review and comments.

The IFC 2x4 edition 4 beta 1 release is available now. The buildingSMART community is strongly encouraged to review the current beta 1 release and to provide feedback using the MSG issue resolution database. The deadline for comments is 14.08.2009.

The IFC 2x edition 4 release (IFC2x4), combines a number of feature increases with some major rework and improvements of the existing IFC specification. It has been developed as the next basis for IFC enabled interoperability of Building Information Models. It is also intended that the IFC2x4 release will be submitted to the International Standardization Organization (ISO) for approval as a full International Standard ISO16739.

http://www.iai-tech.org/groups/msg-members/news/ifc2x4-beta1-available


About the buildingSMART alliance:

The Created to spearhead technical, political, and financial support for advanced digital technology in the real property industry—from concept, design and construction through operations and management—the buildingSMART alliance operates within the independent nonprofit National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS). This public/private initiative expands on goals of the North American Chapter of the International Alliance for Interoperability (IAI-NA), whose Industry Foundation Classes (IFCs) have initiated open standards for national and international links among industry players. It provides developers and users of Building Information Models (BIMs), the digital tools that are increasingly helping to share highly accurate information throughout a facility's life cycle.

Vision:
A global environment where all participants can readily and transparently share, apply and maintain information about facilities and infrastructure to enhance quality and economy of design, construction, operation and maintenance.

Mission:
Improve all aspects of the facility and infrastructure lifecycle by promoting collaboration, technology, integrated practices and open standards.

http://www.buildingsmartalliance.org

Podcast: http://www.digitalvis.com/podcast

BlackfriarsWireframe

BlackfriarsWireframe, originally uploaded by Ina Centaur.

NaviLibrary 2.0 - Fully-functional, 3D web-browser on a Prim

a preview of a fully-functional, 3D web-browser... A demo for NaviLibrary v2.0 and Awesomium. This demo uses Ogre for Rendering like RealXtend and Sirikata

Using Blender as an Interactive Editor for OpenSim

Early proof of concept by Toni Alatalo, Playsign
http://playsign.fi/engine/BlenderOMV

Avatar hits conventional 3D and IMAX 3D theaters on December 18, 2009.

Here is the latest clipped from http://www.comingsoon.net/news/avatarnews.ph
p?id=56535:

"James Camerom screened 24 minutes of his highly-anticipated Avatar at the Cinema Expo in Amsterdam on Tuesday and scooper 'The Insider' witnessed the footage and sent us this exclusive report! The footage utilized the RealD XL Cinema System. The 3D presentation was on a 55-foot screen with nearly 10-foot Lamberts of light, delivering the largest and brightest 3D presentation at Cinema Expo.

I've just returned from a preview screening of James Cameron's hugely anticipated movie "Avatar" at the Cinema Expo in Amsterdam and I'm still feeling the after effects of this jaw-dropping experience"

Ray Kurzweil on Virtual Worlds - btw -The Eyeware is here Now.

Clipped from WWN:

Ray Kurzweil to Keynote This Year's SLCC

Here is extraordinary and transformational news: I just got word that Ray Kurzweil, the legendary inventor and futurist, will keynote this year's Second Life Community Convention in San Francisco, speaking on the benefits of virtual environments and virtual reality. "I think Ray Kurzweil’s speech will change the tone of this year's convention compared to previous ones," SLCC director Nexeus Fatale tells me, which is an epic understatement. Among the world's greatest technologists, Kurzweil has often spoke about Second Life in relation to the future of human society, in ways that stretch far beyond how we currently experience it.

And from Rochester , NY

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Blow clipped from Gizmodo

Vuzix Announces World’s First Fashionable Sunglass-Style Video Eyewear with Revolutionary “See-Thru” Quantum Optics

Provides a 60-inch private video display complete with Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality capabilities and built-in noise-isolating earphones all in less than 3 ounces

Rochester, NY – January 5th, 2009 – Vuzix Corporation is thrilled to announce a ground-breaking addition to the video eyewear market: the Wrap 920AV. As the demand for mobile access to digital entertainment and information skyrockets, Vuzix has once again pushed the envelope. This portable big screen solution with Vuzix’ proprietary Quantum optics technology allows for a “see-thru” video experience in the form of a functional pair of sunglasses and is upgradeable with optional accessories.

The stylish Wrap 920AV functions with any media playing device with a video output and projects a virtual 60-inch screen, as viewed from 9-feet. The state-of-the-art lens technology also allows users for the first time to view 3D video content while seeing and interacting with the real world. This incredible blend of reality and computer generated content will transform the world of portable video while opening up the consumer to previously impossible “location aware” applications. An optional 6-Degree of Freedom tracking sensor and/or Stereo Camera Pair will enable users to upgrade their Wrap 920AV to experience virtual, augmented and mixed reality environments.

“The Wrap 920AV will not just change the portable video industry, but how consumers view and interact with information,” said Vuzix CEO Paul Travers. “From watching a Civil War video reproduction battle reenactment on the actual battleground to walking through the streets of New York City with an animated virtual tour guide, the possibilities are endless,” added Travers.

“As listed in 2008 at the Gartner Emerging Trends and Technologies Roadshow, Augmented Reality promises a paradigm shift in how consumers interact with news, entertainment and information,” said Vuzix Consumer Division Product Manager Ron Haidenger. “The Wrap 920AV is the first product at a consumer price point to deliver this game changing technology to the masses,” added Haidenger.

Additionally, Vuzix will be offering low cost optional prescription lens inserts to provide the perfect solution for consumers wearing prescription eyeglasses. A patent pending electronic Inter-Pupillary Distance system enables eye separation adjustment, ensuring that all users will have an optimal viewing experience. Amazingly, the entire system weighs less than 3 ounces.

The above is coming soon according to Vuzix but they just released is this:

The iWear AV230 XL+ delivers a virtual display equivalent to a 44-inch screen at a very affordable price.

With unmatched quality and performance, the iWear

Plug and play!

The AV230 XL+ is a wearable display that transforms your small portable video player screen into a personal home theater with a virtual 44-inch screen as viewed from nine feet. Dual displays provide crisp images and vivid colors through optics aligned to military specifications. Worn like regular glasses, the AV230 XL+ includes separate focus adjustments for each eye and removable high-quality stereo earphones. A single removable AA battery affords up to 7 hours of viewing enjoyment. Now with 3D video support! Compatible with all popular formats of 3D stereoscopic video including side-by-side and anaglyph.

Price: $199.95 (USD)