Autodesk Developing Immersive Game Engine for Architects
Autodesk is showing off a new real-time, immersive game engine for architects at its recent Autodesk University. Project Newport is still in early stages, but the company describes it as a "real-time 3D story building technology for architectural visualization and presentation" that lets architects "explore design options, visualize changes instantly, and create vivid, immersive 3D presentations."
The goal seems to be to let designers who would otherwise really on expensive physical models or simulations to make use of game-like technology to demo and customize their buildings and interiors. Users can interact with photorealistic environments using traditional game controllers, like the Wii's remotes, or surface technologies like the Kommerz table. It's not clear how far along the project is, but Autodesk says it's already generating strong interest from the architectural community. [via The Arch]
In 2007 I wrote about the use of game engines for architectural visualization for The Escapist:
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/issues/issue_109/1331-London-in-Oblivion
Posted by: Allen Varney | January 01, 2009 at 01:47 AM