Visualisation of semantic architectural information within a game engine environment

Because of the importance of graphics and information within the domain of architecture, engineering and construction (AEC), an appropriate combination of visualisation technology and information management technology is of utter importance in the development of appropriately supporting design and construction applications. We therefore started an investigation of two of the newest developments in these domains, namely game engine technology and semantic web technology. This paper documents part of this research, containing a review and comparison of the most prominent game engines and documenting our architectural semantic web. A short test-case illustrates how both can be combined to enhance information visualisation for architectural design and construction

Reconciling the dissonance between Historic Preservation and Virtual Reality through a Place-based Virtual Heritage system.

This study explores a problematic disconnect associated with virtual heritage and the immersive 3D computer modeling of cultural heritage. The products of virtual heritage often fail to adhere to long-standing principles and recent international conventions associated with historic preservation, heritage recording, designation, and interpretation. By drawing upon the geographic concepts of space, landscape, and place, along with advances in Geographic Information Systems, first-person serious games, and head-mounted Virtual Reality platforms this study envisions, designs, implements, and evaluates a virtual heritage system that seeks to reconcile the dissonance between Virtual Reality and historic preservation. Finally, the dissertation examines the contributions and future directions of such a Place-based Virtual Heritage system in human geography and historic preservation planning and interpretation

Urban Emotions and Realtime Planning Methods

The Urban Emotions approach combines methods and technologies from Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI), Social Media, sensors and bio-statistical sensors to detect people’s perception for a new perspective about urban environment. In short, it is a methodology for gaining and extracting contextual information of emotion by using technologies from real-time human sensing systems and crowdsourcing methods. “Real-time planning” describes a system in which planning disciplines get a toolset for a fast and simple creation of visualization or simulation from municipal geodata in a consistent workflow. This includes applications from Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality as well as the above mentioned combination of real-time humane sensors and urban sensing systems. Due to the fact, that a real existing city never corresponds with a laboratory situation, Virtual Reality can be one of the solutions to fill the gap for detecting people’s perceptions concerning design, while filtering other unintended side effects. Insights and results from Urban Emotions project, granted by German Research Foundation and Austrian Science Fond, will be presented in this contribution. It is based on a German contribution, published earlier this year (Zeile 2017)

Archaeological Building Information Modeling: beyond scalable representation of architecture and archaeology

The widespread use of technologies and processes aimed at information management is one of the main trends in today’s building industry. Collaboration, coordination and validation of design results are fostered by software and workflows that involve many disciplines. Taking into account these premises, this paper deals with the application of such a paradigm to the archaeological and architectural fields. The application to the particular case study of the Etruscan town of Kainua aspires to be exemplary, since it is referred to different metric scales, from the building to the urban settlement. The digital reconstruction of the whole town, which can be explored and studied by means of Virtual Reality, was validated from a philological point of view using an original interdisciplinary approach called ArchaeoBIM, i.e. a methodology that encompasses the information flow among different disciplines with the same interest in understanding, and virtually reconstructing, lost realities. Using this method, architectural proportions brought by existing literature, physical behaviours of materials and components, layouts of rooms and spaces regulated by rituals or historic traditions are collected in a model that is able to represent morphologies, analysis and functions. This model, basically a geometric database linking heterogeneous documents, can be used in many different ways, from analytic abstractions to static simulations, from solar analysis to visual renderings. It becomes a common language for information exchange among scholars and users interested in the dissemination and study of the cultural heritage

Enhanced 3D terrain visualization process using game engine

Recently, many information visualization regarding terrain use 2D maps which include shading and lines to show the terrain. However, the emerging 3D terrain visualization technologies and software may produce a lot of terrain information. This emerging technology is also concurrent with the growth of game engines. As for this study, Unity3D, one of these game engines, has built-in terrain engine that provides 3D terrain visualization. Moreover, this engine provides the ability to be able to publish as web application for the online environment. Based on the literature review, there are studies related to terrain visualization developed using game engines, however, majority focuses on the capability of terrain visualization in an offline environment. None of these studies focus on the performance of the 3D visualization process in an online environment. Thus, the aim of this study is to enhance the process of generating 3D terrain visualization with GIS data generated from the Unity3D game engine in an online environment. The results of the performance are compared with two different situation that is online and offline. Several experiments are conducted and performances are measured based on loading time, response time, frames per second (FPS), memory usage and CPU usage of different terrain data types and size. The study adopts design research process that is comprised of problem identification from literature review, solution development by using the process to develop the prototype needed, and evaluation by comparing the output of the visualization process. The findings show that the process of enhancing 3D terrain visualization with GIS data generated from the Unity3D game engine in offline environment is better compared to those online. This is due to the compression and the need for Unity3D web player to make contact with the Unity server for authentication and also for visualization during online. Furthermore, operating system resource needs to be used before it goes online. The main finding of this study is the new algorithm of enhancing 3D terrain visualization process using Unity3D game engine. The algorithm can be divided into three processes which are terrain data reading, terrain data conversion, and terrain data processing. It may assist the developer on how to enhance the process of developing web-based 3D terrain visualization using Unity3D game engine

Serious Game Engineering and Lighting Models for the Realistic Emulation of 5G Systems

[ES] La quinta generación de comunicaciones móviles, 5G, promete ser una revolución tecnológica que vaya más allá de multiplicar la velocidad de transmisión de datos de sus predecesoras. Pretende soportar una gran cantidad de dispositivos y alcanzar latencias muy cercanas a 1 milisegundo. Para satisfacer estos ambiciosos requisitos, se han investigado nuevas tecnologías habilitadoras. Una de ellas es el uso de las bandas de ondas milimétricas (mmW) en las cuales hay una gran cantidad de espectro disponible. Para predecir las características del canal radio y evaluar las prestaciones de la 5G de forma fiable en las bandas mmW se requieren modelos de canal complejos. Concretamente, los modelos de propagación más precisos son los basados en trazado de rayos, pero su alto costo computacional los hacen inviables para la caracterización del canal radio en escenarios complejos. Por otro lado, en los últimos años, la tecnología de videojuegos ha desarrollado potentes herramientas para modelar la propagación de la luz en escenarios superrealistas. Dada la cercanía espectral entre el espectro visible y las ondas mmW, la presente Tesis ha estudiado la aplicación de las herramientas de modelado de propagación de la luz de los motores de juego para el modelado del canal radio en mmW. Esta Tesis propone un modelo de estimación de las pérdidas de propagación en mmW llamado "Modelo de Intensidad de Luz'' (LIM). Usando este modelo, basado en los procesos de iluminación realizados por los motores de juego, los transmisores de señal se sustituyen por focos de luz y la intensidad lumínica recibida en un punto se traduce a potencia de señal en milimétricas a través de una función polinómica sencilla. Una de las ventajas de usar los motores de juego es su gran capacidad y la facilidad que tiene el usuario para crear escenarios superrealistas que representen fielmente la geometría de escenarios donde se quiera evaluar el canal radio. De esta forma se pueden obtener estimaciones precisas de las pérdidas de propagación. La estimación de las pérdidas de propagación con LIM ha sido comparada con campañas de medida en las bandas de 28 GHz y 73 GHz y con otros modelos de propagación. Como resultado, el error de estimación de LIM es menor que los modelos estocásticos actuales y es comparable con el modelo de trazado de rayos. Y, además, el coste computacional de LIM comparado con el trazado de rayos es 130 veces menor, lo que posibilita el uso de LIM en escenarios altamente complejos para la estimación del canal radio en tiempo real. Los motores de juego permiten caracterizar de forma diferente la interacción de los materiales con la luz configurando el mapa de normales de sus superficies y sus funciones de dispersión y reflexión. En esta Tesis se ha determinado la caracterización de varios materiales que mejor se ajusta a medidas de laboratorio realizadas en un escenario controlado en la banda de 28 GHz. El modelo de LIM empleando materiales con esta caracterización óptima reduce más de un 50\% su error de estimación con respecto a la aplicación de LIM con los materiales por defecto, mientras que su coste computacional sigue siendo 26 veces menor que el modelo de trazado de rayos. Finalmente, se ha desarrollado sobre un motor de juego una primera versión de plataforma para la emulación de los sistemas 5G que es el punto de partida para un emulador completo de 5G. Esta plataforma no sólo contiene el modelo de LIM sino que incluye varios casos de uso de la 5G en entornos superrealistas. La plataforma, que se basa en el concepto de "Serious Game Engineering", rompe las limitaciones de los simuladores de redes móviles en cuanto a las capacidades de visualización e interacción del usuario con los componentes de la red en tiempo real.[CA] La cinquena generació de comunicacions mòbils, 5G, promet ser una revolució tecnològica que vaja més enllà de multiplicar la velocitat de transmissió de dades de les seues predecessores. Pretén suportar una gran quantitat de dispositius i aconseguir latències molt pròximes a 1 mil·lisegon. Per a satisfer aquests ambiciosos requisits, s'han investigat noves tecnologies habilitadores. Una d'elles és l'ús de les bandes d'ones mil·limètriques (mmW) en les quals hi ha una gran quantitat d'espectre disponible. Per a predir les característiques del canal ràdio i avaluar les prestacions de la 5G de forma fiable en les bandes mmW es requereixen models de canal complexos. Concretament, els models de propagació més precisos són els basats en traçat de rajos, però el seu alt cost computacional els fan inviables per a la caracterització del canal ràdio en escenaris complexos. D'altra banda, en els últims anys, la tecnologia de videojocs ha desenvolupat potents eines per a modelar la propagació de la llum en escenaris superrealistes. Donada la proximitat espectral entre l'espectre visible i les ones mmW, la present Tesi ha estudiat l'aplicació de les eines de modelatge de propagació de la llum dels motors de joc per al modelatge del canal radie en mmW. Aquesta Tesi proposa un model d'estimació de les pèrdues de propagació en mmW anomenat "Model d'Intensitat de Llum'' (LIM). Usant aquest model, basat en els processos d'il·luminació realitzats pels motors de joc, els transmissors de senyal se substitueixen per focus de llum i la intensitat lumínica rebuda en un punt es tradueix a potència de senyal en mil·limètriques a través d'una funció polinòmica senzilla. Una dels avantatges d'usar els motors de joc és la seua gran capacitat i la facilitat que té l'usuari per a crear escenaris superrealistes que representen fidelment la geometria d'escenaris on es vulga avaluar el canal ràdio. D'aquesta forma es poden obtindre estimacions precises de les pèrdues de propagació. L'estimació de les pèrdues de propagació amb LIM ha sigut comparada amb campanyes de mesura en les bandes de 28~GHz i 73~GHz i amb altres models de propagació. Com a resultat, l'error d'estimació de LIM és menor que els models estocàstics actuals i és comparable amb el model de traçat de rajos. I, a més, el cost computacional de LIM comparat amb el traçat de rajos és 130 vegades menor, la qual cosa possibilita l'ús de LIM en escenaris altament complexos per a l'estimació del canal ràdio en temps real. Els motors de joc permeten caracteritzar de forma diferent la interacció dels materials amb la llum configurant el mapa de normals de les seues superfícies i les seues funcions de dispersió i reflexió. En aquesta Tesi s'ha determinat la caracterització de diversos materials que s'ajusta millor a mesures de laboratori realitzades en un escenari controlat en la banda de 28 GHz. El model de LIM emprant materials amb aquesta caracterització òptima redueix més d'un 50 % el seu error d'estimació respecte a l'aplicació de LIM amb els materials per defecte, mentre que el seu cost computacional continua sent 26 vegades menor que el model de traçat de rajos. Finalment, s'ha desenvolupat sobre un motor de joc una primera versió de plataforma per a l'emulació dels sistemes 5G que és el punt de partida per a un emulador complet de 5G. Aquesta plataforma no solament conté el model de LIM sinó que inclou diversos casos d'ús de la 5G en entorns superrealistes. La plataforma, que es basa en el concepte de "Serious Game Engineering", trenca les limitacions dels simuladors de xarxes mòbils quant a les capacitats de visualització i interacció de l'usuari amb els components de la xarxa en temps real.[EN] The fifth generation of mobile communications, 5G, promises to be a technological revolution that goes beyond multiplying the data transmission speed of its predecessors. It aims to support a large number of devices and reach latencies very close to 1 millisecond. To meet these ambitious requirements, new enabling technologies have been researched. One of these is the use of millimetre-wave bands (mmW) in which a large amount of spectrum is available. Complex channel models are required to predict radio channel characteristics and reliably evaluate 5G performance in the mmW bands. Specifically, the most accurate propagation models are those based on ray tracing, but their high computational cost makes them unfeasible for radio channel characterization in complex scenarios. On the other hand, in recent years, video game technology has developed powerful tools to model the propagation of light in super realistic scenarios. Given the spectral closeness between the visible spectrum and the mmW waves, the present Thesis has studied the application of light propagation modeling tools from game engines for radio channel modeling in mmW. This Thesis proposes a model for estimating propagation losses in mmW called "Light Intensity Model'' (LIM). Using this model, based on the lighting processes performed by the game engines, the signal transmitters are replaced by light sources and the light intensity received at a point is translated into signal strength in mmW through a simple polynomial function. One of the advantages of using the game engines is their great capacity and the ease with which the user can create super realistic scenarios that faithfully represent the geometry of scenarios where the radio channel is to be evaluated. In this way, accurate estimates of propagation losses can be obtained. The estimation of propagation losses with LIM has been compared with measurement campaigns in the 28 GHz and 73 GHz bands and with other propagation models. As a result, the LIM estimation error is smaller than the current stochastic models and is comparable with the ray tracing model. In addition, the computational cost of LIM compared to ray tracing is 130 times lower, allowing the use of LIM in highly complex scenarios for real-time radio channel estimation. The game engines allow to characterize in a different way the interaction of the materials with the light configuring the normal map of their surfaces and their scattering and reflection functions. In this Thesis it has been determined the characterization of several materials that best fits to laboratory measurements made in a controlled scenario in the 28 GHz band. The LIM model using materials with this optimal characterization reduces by more than 50% its estimation error with respect to the application of LIM with default materials, while its computational cost remains 26 times lower than the ray tracing model. Finally, a first version of a platform for the emulation of 5G systems has been developed on a game engine, which is the starting point for a complete 5G emulator. This platform not only contains the LIM model but also includes several 5G use cases in super realistic environments. The platform, which is based on the concept of "`Serious Game Engineering", breaks the limitations of mobile network simulators in terms of visualization capabilities and user interaction with network components in real time.Inca Sánchez, SA. (2019). Serious Game Engineering and Lighting Models for the Realistic Emulation of 5G Systems [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/132695TESI

QUERYARCH3D: QUERYING AND VISUALISING 3D MODELS OF A MAYA ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE IN A WEB-BASED INTERFACE

Constant improvements in the field of surveying, computing and distribution of digital-content are reshaping the way Cultural Heritage can be digitised and virtually accessed, even remotely via web. A traditional 2D approach for data access, exploration, retrieval and exploration may generally suffice, however more complex analyses concerning spatial and temporal features require 3D tools, which, in some cases, have not yet been implemented or are not yet generally commercially available. Efficient organisation and integration strategies applicable to the wide array of heterogeneous data in the field of Cultural Heritage represent a hot research topic nowadays. This article presents a visualisation and query tool (QueryArch3D) conceived to deal with multi-resolution 3D models. Geometric data are organised in successive levels of detail (LoD), provided with geometric and semantic hierarchies and enriched with attributes coming from external data sources. The visualisation and query front-end enables the 3D navigation of the models in a virtual environment, as well as the interaction with the objects by means of queries based on attributes or on geometries. The tool can be used as a standalone application, or served through the web. The characteristics of the research work, along with some implementation issues and the developed QueryArch3D tool will be discussed and presented

Interactive Modelling of Buildings in Google Earth and GIS: a 3D Tool for Urban Planning (Tunjuk Island, Indonesia)

3D modelling of buildings in Google Earth in Batam city, Indonesia is very important for knowledge about facility, infrastructure, and others.Three-dimensional (3D) visualisations are an interesting method for representing model outcomes. This research In Tunjuk island with coordinate, at Latitude: 0.984123°, and Longitude: 104.225606°, with technical terms, there are two alternative routes for implementation, and they both share the same starting stage. In (Figure 5) visible visual measurements of the master plan that has been made has a length 141.99 metre and width 54.25 metre with location at Latitude 0.984593° and Longitude 104.228073°. In (Figure 5) visible visual measurements of the master plan that has been made has a length 92.96 metre and width 135.46  metre with location at Latitude 0.984593° and Longitude 104.228073°. This paper presented a rapid visualisation tool for supporting the joint decision making in evaluation of design/renewal proposals in Batam City, Tunjuk Island, Indonesia. 3D building using Google Earth (GE) and combaining Geographic Information System (GIS) system be done officially on a sampling or auditing basis by a professional body or by researchers, or it could be done by volunteers and user groups