Blog For Google Warehouse (May 2008)

At the beginning of every month 3Dwalkthroughs.com selects our favorite 3D model from Greg Rose's blog which highlights new 3D building models as they are added to Google's 3D Warehouse.

Our monthly selection is based on impressive: architecture, level of detail, level of realism etc. For the month of May 2008 we have chosen the Leumi Tower. This model was not only selected because we like the overall look and feel of the building, the model also made us aware of Metroscape3D.

The Leumi tower is an 18 floors building located in downtown Tel Aviv. It belongs to Bank Leumi, one of Israel's largest banks. The building itself was designed by Buki Tzuker Architects and the 3D model was designed by Metroscape.

Metroscape is a 3D modeling company, which bases its models on the platform of Google Earth. As Google Earth just recently announced their upgraded platform which will promote more realistic 3D models, we believe Metroscape is positioned to become a very popular name in the industry.

Nassau Physicians Foundation

3Dwalkthroughs.com's Interactive Services partner Launchsight Solutions is proud to announce the launch of the Nassau Physician's Foundation website.

The Nassau Physicians Foundation was started by Dr. Bilha Fish, founder of the Pathways Women's Health. PWH was established as a division of Manhasset Diagnostic Imaging in 1995, and due to its success has recently relocated to a new 7500 square foot contiguous facility.

About The Nassau Physicians Foundation
Nassau Physicians Foundation was founded approximately four years ago by Bilha Chesner Fish, M.D.

NPF exists to provide a stimulating environment for physicians who are drawing strength from their passion and who are willing to enrich each other’s lives. We are partners with the community in which we live and are committed to donating our time and expertise to educational and charitable endeavors. We pledge to be proactive to pertinent and current health issues.

Within the past four years, NWPF has held three fundraisers benefiting Cardiac Research for Women, Stroke Research for Women, and most recently, Alzheimer’s Research. The honorees have been some of the most respected and renowned physicians in the respective areas of specialization: Dr. Nieca Goldberg, Dr. Ralph Sacco and Dr. Tanja Rundek, and Dr. Richard Mayeux and Dr. Karen Marder. As a new organization, we are proud to have raised a signi-ficant amount of funds that were directed to medical research. For our 2008 fundraising gala, we have collaborated with the American Cancer Society and are very enthusiastic about this endeavor. Dr. Bilha Chesner Fish has been named the recipient of the Humanitarian Award and both Drs. Conte and Sullivan will be the recipients of Physicians of Distinction. The gala will be held May 30, 2008.

In conjunction with their commitment to the community, NPF also participates in Pathways Women’s Health Complimentary Seminar Series in offering Medical lectures as a community service. Initiated twelve years ago by Dr. Bilha Fish, Director of Pathways and President of NPF, the community service program was the first of its kind on Long Island offerred by a private practi-tioner. The basis of the program is to provide accurate medical information with which individuals can make informed choices. Given the changes in health insurance resulting in abbreviated contact with physicians, these seminars present a unique opportunity for individuals to gain a greater understanding of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of various medical conditions. This program is extremely valued by the community it serves and has been hailed for its contribution to health education by such organizations as the Town of Hempstead, About Face, Nassau County League of Women Voters, NOW, and Working Women magazine.

Additionally, the organization participated in the petition to Congress to extend a woman’s hospital stay following mastectomy surgery. They intend to remain pro-active in health issues.

The goal of Nassau Physicians Foundation is to offer more extensive community service programs that focus on all aspects of health and address prevention, diagnosis and the latest treatment options to assist individuals in making informed choices. In addition to this Cardiovascular Health Fair a second program, chaired by Dr. Rory Breidbart, will be held on Sunday, 21 September focusing on Diabetes, Obesity, and Bariatrics.

Source: Nassau Physicians Website

Going Mobile - 3D Walkthroughs, 3D Floor Plans and 3D Renderings in Your Pocket

There was an interesting article in Sunday's NY Times describing the competition that is brewing amongst mobile device providers, specifically the Apple Iphone and Research in Motion's Blackberry.

The article discusses some of the pros and cons and both devices but one thing was made clear, we are nearing the day when mobile devices will be as powerful as laptops and home computers.

3Dwalkthroughs.com has mentioned in previous posts that the iPhone is being used by realtors and developers to show 3D Walkthroughs, 3D Floor Plans, and 3D Renderings of a property while they are on the road. With that being said, it is as important for 3D marketing collateral to be optimized for mobile devices as they are for regular websites. We've actually heard of new applications that will allow a 3D walkthrough and mobile website to be launched just by driving by a property.

We are certainly excited about the advances being made in the mobile device industry. Sunday's NY Times article reiterates the urgency that exists for 3D animation studios to learn all they can about how to optimize their products.

Wii Fit - 3D Virtual Exercise Game is a Huge Success in the UK

Ninetendo's Wii Fit 3D virtual exercise game is flying off the shelves in the UK.
UK magazine Web User reports that retail chain Woolworths sold an average of 90 copies of Nintendo's Wii exercise game every minute when it launched Friday.

Calling Wii Fit "a revolution in computer gaming," the chain's games buyer Gerry Berkley told Web User: "For a game not targeted at gamers to sell in numbers like this is unheard of and is genuinely changing the market."

Source: Wired.com

Wii Fit is expected to launch in the United States on May 19th. The launch of Wii Fit in the United States is expected to be driven by one of the most aggresive marketing campaigns in Ninetendo's history.

3Dwalkthroughs.com believes it is about time that a 3D virtual platform will be used to encourage people to get off the couch as opposed to sinking further into it. If Wii Fit sales are as successful in the United States as they are in the UK it opens up a whole new avenue for the gaming industry. Personal trainers beware...or at least start thinking virtually.

Big Money Invested in 3D Virtual Worlds

3Dwalkthroughs.com came across a very encouraging article on Red Herrings website which describes the huge influx of money that is being invested in 3D virtual worlds.

According to the article, more than $184 million dollars was invested in 3D virtual world platforms in the first quarter. The study by Virtual Worlds Management, an Austin, Texas-based trade show and research company tallied $184.2 million invested worldwide, with more than one-third of the cash infusions going to youth-oriented virtual worlds.

As a testament to our post from yesterday, the biggest market utilizing 3D virtual world technologies are youth oriented. Companies like Disney and Viacom’s Nickelodeon unit have been diving into virtual worlds as stand-alone properties and as adjuncts to existing franchises.

Source: redherring.com

The article also points out that many of the popular 3D platforms are tied to real life merchandise. We are anxious to see the evolution of 3D platforms over the next few years. It will be interesting to see the application that breaks through the barrier which seems to be preventing the older demographic from embracing 3D virtual technology as a mainstream business application.

3D Virtual Venues - Is Your Demographic Ready For It?

3Dwalkthroughs.com has been having discussions with decision makers spanning many industries. The conversations have been focused on our 3D Virtual Venue product, specifically what objections might prevent a company from investing in this cutting edge 3D technology.

It has become clear to us that THE biggest deciding factor whether a company will embrace a 3D Virtual Venue is the demographic in which they operate. Older demographics that have trouble navigating the most basic computer operations have been the most reluctant to realize the potential that 3D virtual venue technology offers.

By way of contrast, we have found that demographics which grew up in the internet age, or even a few years after, have been very interested in the features of our 3D virtual venue technology. In many cases this demographic has even suggested many interesting applications we did not think of ourselves.

As we get ready to officially launch our 3D Virtual Venue platform it will be interesting to see which companies move forward with an investment in the short term, and which companies wait for other to take the leap before dipping their toe in the 3D waters.

3D Virtual Store To Be Created By Apple?

3Dwalkthroughs.com has read multiple reports speculating that Apple might be building a 3D Virtual Store to sell it's wares. The big hulabaloo is a result of a just-published patent that details a 3D virtual store with aisles for "electronics," "books," "movies," and "music," along with avatars for shoppers and clerks, and dynamic lighting depending on the time of day ("sunny" during daylights hours, with stars and the moon appearing at night).

Source: tech.yahoo.com

The patent was filed back in 2006 but is getting a lot of press as it was just made public coupled with the fact we are talking about Apple.

With PlayStation home launching later this year we expect there to a big push forward in terms of the look and feel that can be achieved in 3D virtual worlds. We also expect there to be a big emphasis on the sales capabilities that can be achieved in 3D environments.

We are not sure how soon or how accurate Apple's plans are regarding a 3D store, however, if any company will do it right, Apple is the one. We can only imagine the plan exists for a 3D mall that can be visited directly from an iPhone.

Next Generation 3D Browser-Based Games

Riverside California based Aptus Games is creating a web-based destination to engage gamers through motion-sensing controllers and next generation 3D browser-based games.

Aptus Games' multi-sensory game experience is scheduled to go live in the third quarter of 2008. Their web destination is going to eliminate the typical constraints associated with PC and Mac gaming — time-consuming installations, clunky keyboard and mouse interfaces, ever-changing system requirements, system crashes — and provide an easy-to-use Web-based platform.

Source: Aptus Games Website

3Dwalkthroughs.com is looking forward to testing out their platform once it opens up for Beta testing. We believe the ability to interact with a 3D browser using motion sensing controllers will open the door to a bunch of new applications geared towards online fitness...an area we have focusing a lot of attention on lately. (more to come on this soon)

Here are some of the features of Aptus Games' upcoming environment:

- Motion-sensing Innovative Controllers — our line of motion controllers provide unsurpassed interaction with 3D browser-based games (games will also support mouse and keyboard)

- Amazing Graphics — We’ve developed leading-edge Web 2.0 technology to deliver the most advanced, next generation Web-based games

- Play Anywhere, Anytime, Any Place — Play your games on any PC or Mac — sign in with any Web browser and access all your games instantly

- Streaming Games - All of our games will stream directly to a your browser, eliminating the painful process of pesky installations and updates

- Online Community and Forums — Socialize with other gamers in your community and across the world

- More Games, More Genres — Our web-based games will span the gamut: action, strategy, puzzle, reality, racing, sports, and many more to come

- Minimal System Requirements — All it takes is a browser and a broadband connection to the Internet

3D Virtual Animal Testing Technology Being Developed in Taiwan

How can anyone look at the above picture and not feel good about the innovative 3D technology being developed in Taiwain that will reduce the need for live Guinea Pigs used in labratory testing?

3Dwalkthroughs.com just came across a story in the China Post about a 3D Virtual Guinea Pig system that is being developed to project the interaction between a drug and the animal without using a live Guinea Pig. The projection is based on given settings and the guinea pigs' sectional images, physical information, and biological characteristics entered in the database.

The 3D virtual guinea pig system was developed by NARL's National Laboratory Animal Center (NLAC), which used true color image algorithms to reconstruct guinea pigs in a digitized environment. NLAR researchers said they have finished establishing the imagery data and will have the system ready for practical applications after some final adjustments are made.

Source: The China Post

If this technology is successful we would love to see it introduced to other labratories that are using live animals for their testing...perhaps a cute picture will help during the pitch meeting.

There is Still A Lot of New Construction in NYC- Who's Buying?

Over the past few days the weather in New York City has been picture perfect and my wife and I have logged what feel like hundreds of miles on our Nike's. We both noticed that in spite of the current real estate crunch there are many new construction projects underway.

Granted, many of these contruction projects could have started months ago and we just were not aware of them as we did not visit those parts of the city during the winter. Regardless it is amazing to see the sheer number of new condominiums being built, especially when all you hear about on the news is the slowdown in new home purchases.

In addition to the amount of new construction projects that are underway, it is also interesting to see the continued increases in rent that NYC apartments are fetching. During our walk, we usually make random stops at real estate offices with placards of available real estate lining the windows. We came across a few tiny studio apartments that were asking more than $3,000 per month...crazy.

In conclusion, our walks were very encouraging as it appears 3Dwalkthroughs.com and the rest of our industry will continue to be busy at least for the next few years. As long as there are available properties developers will always need 3D Renderings, 3D Floor Plans and 3D Walkthroughs to showcase them to the public.

TiltViewer - Very Cool 3D Picture Viewing Application

3Dwalkthroughs.com just came across a very cool application developed by cutting edge company Airtight Interactive. Their application called TiltViewer offers a very novel and immersive way of viewing images in a 3D environment.

The application is a free, customizable 3D Flash image viewing application and has some potentially valuable personal as well as commercial applications. We are going to play around with the TiltViewer and see how we can use the technology to help showcase our portfolio.

We recommend checking out the Airtight Interactive website as it has a bunch of really wild demos of their work. Click here>> for a direct link to their portfolio page.

We will certainly be adding Airtight Interactive to our favorite list and checking their site very often. It will be interesting to see what 3D tricks they come up with next.

3D Walkthroughs Wrapped Around An Entire Building?

3Dwalkthroughs.com just became aware of a company, A2aMedia, that is promoting a very powerful technology. A2aMedia installs transparent LED media systems on building facades using unique and patent-pending architectural products.

You might have seen this amazing technology on buildings in Las Vegas as well as other high profile building around the world. Their technology is so effective because it is 70% transparent and does not terribly the view that can be seen from the inside of the building.

Mediamesh®, A2aMedia's premier technology, can display still and moving text, graphics and full-color video imagery. Mediamesh® is a stainless-steel architectural mesh with embedded LED lights. A2aMedia's flexible, multi-purpose facades fit unique building characteristics and the commercial/artistic objectives of building owners and advertisers.

Image and Text Source: A2amedia website


For us the fascinating part of this technology is that it makes any building in the world a potential media billboard. Perhaps it is just a matter of time before the Bellagio is promoting our 3D Walkthroughs, 3D Renderings and 3D Floor Plans on the facade of their building...hey, it could happen.

Google Earth Upgrades It's 3D Capabilities

A couple days ago 3Dwalkthroughs.com posted about Microsoft's upgrade to their Virtual Earth product. Not to be outdone, Google has just released an upgraded version of Google Earth. Google Earth 4.3 includes a bunch of new features including some new integrations of other Google products.

Some of the new features include: The capability to switch on day and night views, the integration of the Google Maps Street View feature, faster rendered 3D buildings, updated navigational controls and the inclusion of time stamps of user generated content.

We are excited about these updgrades as we expect the quality of 3D models integrated into Google Earth will improve dramatically. It is just a matter of time before a viewer can move from the exterior 3D model to a fully interactive 3D Walkthrough of the interior.

Image Source: blogs.zdnet.com

Airlines Cancelling Flights Left and Right - Perfect Timing for a 3D Virtual Trade Show

All you have to do is turn on the news for 2 seconds and you are pretty much guaranteed to hear another nightmare story about the airline industry. From American Airlines cancelling hundreds of flights to reports stating that airport delays are on the rise, traveling is becoming increasingly difficult as well as expensive.

The business traveler could be the population most affected by the issues facing the airline industry as business travelers tend to travel more than the recreational traveler and often are on very tight schedules.

In addition to the risk a business traveler faces in terms of missing meetings due to airline delays, the rising cost of airline travel and lodging are hitting the bottom lines of many companies very hard.

3D Virtual trade shows are a perfect way to reduce the amount and cost of traveling required by providing companies with robust environments that are very similar to real life events.

3D Virtual Trade Shows allow participants and exhibitors to interact in real time via voice and text chat, exchange business cards, share information through videos and other media formats and even host seminars for hundreds of people at the same time.

Another advantage of 3D Virtual Trade Shows is they can be accessed 24/7/365 as opposed to real trade shows that usually only last for a few days. Over the next few weeks 3Dwalkthroughs.com will be unveiling our forray into this industry. Check out 3Dvirtualvenues.com for more info.

3D Movies Are Here To Stay!!

3Dwalkthroughs.com came across an interesting article on Wired.com that describes the allure of 3D movies to both movie goers as well as movie producers. Some of the biggest movie studios, including DreamWorks, Disney and Pixar are heavily investing in 3D technology for two main reasons:

1)As 3D technology is not readily available in home theaters, creating 3D movies will force movie-goers back into actual theaters.

2) Tickets for 3D movies can be sold at a premium and often cost as much as $5.00-$7.00 more than regular movies.

A few of the new 3D movies we can expect over the next 2 years from these major movie studios include: Bolt, Avatar, and Star Wars 3D.

"This is a serious visualization technology that's just begun to be used for entertainment," says Elizabeth Brooks, chief marketing officer of 3-D system maker RealD, which has about 97 percent of the 3-D market. "It's been used by NASA and by scientists who need to render things perfectly. It's my job to sing the company's praises, but if the technology weren't good, [filmmakers] wouldn't be planning to make as many 3-D films as they're making."

Unlike 3-D films of the 1950s, the new wave of 3-D pictures don't blur and they don't cause headaches. In basic terms, a 3-D film is shot in two frames -- one for the right eye and once for the left eye. The projector buffers the left and right streams and projects them in alternation at 144 frames per second, using a "triple flash" technique that shows each frame three times in order to smooth out the picture. The RealD 3-D system also requires theaters to install a special silver screen to maintain the polarization of the image.

Source: Wired.com

One of the main issues regarding 3D movies for the studios is that while they bring in more revenue than regular movies, they are much more expensive to create. In addition it is just a matter of time before 3D technology is readily available in home theaters.

The full Wired.com article can be found here>>

The April "This Has Absolutely Nothing To Do With 3D" post

Every once in a while 3Dwalkthroughs.com come across an interesting website or application that is worth mentioning, even though it does not necessarily have anything to do with 3D.

Due to some scheduling conflicts my wife and I were not able to watch the latest episode of our favorite show "The Office". After speaking with a few friends they mentioned a new site that allowed us to download and watch the entire show right from our computer...ENTER HULU.COM

We have posted the full episode above for anyone that is interested.


ABOUT HULU
At Hulu, you'll find a vast selection of premium programming: full episodes of hit TV shows, full-length movies, clips, news stories, sports games, and more. We partner with some of the largest content providers in the industry including Fox, NBC Universal, Sony, Warner Bros., MGM, the NBA, Lionsgate, FX, E! Entertainment, Bravo, National Geographic, and USA Networks.

Hulu offers full episodes and clips from current primetime shows –for example, Family Guy, 30 Rock, The Office, House, The Simpsons, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, and Friday Night Lights – as well as a massive selection of TV classics, from Arrested Development and Firefly to Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Miami Vice, Roswell and many more. Our movie library will include full-length movies from The Usual Suspects, Ice Age, and Point Break to Some Like It Hot, In Her Shoes, and Me, Myself and Irene, as well as hundred of clips from classic movies such as Aliens, Die Hard, Little Miss Sunshine, Napoleon Dynamite, and Vertigo.

Source: Hulu.com website

Among many other benefits of this type of service, it is great for keeping occupied while you are on the road. As long as you can get an internet connection you will have something to watch. Check it out!!

Microsoft Launches Improved Version of Live Maps and Virtual Earth 3D

Microsoft has just announced their release of an improved version of Live Maps and Virtual Earth 3D. In an effort to remain competitive with Google Earth, Microsoft is said to have been devoting a lot of time to improving their existing platform as well as including a number of new features.

Of particular interest to 3Dwalkthroughs.com is Live Maps and Virtual Earth's improved quality of 3D views. The improvements in 3D quality includes higher-resolution textures, rendered trees, and buildings reaching farther out of the city cores and into the suburbs.

Below is a full list of the features that are part of this new release by Microsoft.
We plan on exploring the applications today and testing out the new features. We will post our finding over the next few days.

The full feature list:

Export your collection to your navigation/GPS device

Improved 3D cities

3D modeling with 3DVIA

Labels for bird's-eye imagery

1-Click directions (party maps!)

MapCruncher integration

Enhanced explore of map content from across the Web, contributed by other people

Neighborhood subscribe via GeoRSS

Tour enhancements, including hi-definition movies

Directions and traffic enhancements

Improved display of KML files, including Google MyMaps links

Source: Credit: VE/Live Maps Blog

Hands Free Interaction in 3D Virtual Worlds?

Creator of Second Life creator and designer of spreadsheet software Lotus 1-2-3, Mitch Kapor, is experimenting with a new hands-free way to interact with 3D Virtual World Second Life using a clever 3D camera and complex motion-tracking software.

The hands free interactivity involves using a 3D camera and software that can determine where your arms and legs are located in 3D space. The software can also detect your facial expressions, translating that into corresponding actions on your in-game avatar.

Just like navigating a Segway, leaning forward, backward or from side to side steers you around, and there’s also a group of gestures for flying. The image above shows an example of the movement required for an avatar to take off and fly.

Source:dvice.com

3Dwalkthroughs.com believes that hands free interaction in 3D virtual worlds will pave the way for a whole new generation of users and applications. As an example, I believe we are a few years away from being able to launch 3D virtual exercise clases where the instructor is represented by a master instructor avatar.

For a YouTube video demonstrating Mitch Kapor's hands free interaction click here>>

First 70+ day of the season...Time To Renew Your Property Marketing Efforts

3Dwalkthroughs.com is based in New York City, about two blocks from the famous Madison Square Garden. The location is great as we are only a hop skip and train ride from any area in the city. One of the nicest times of the year to be in New York City is the Spring.

Today, the weather inched above the 70 degree mark for the first time of the season. It is amazing how fast New Yorkers break out their summer clothes as soon it gets a little warm.

Along with the change of clothing brought by the warmer weather, a change in attitude is also noticeable. People tend to be a little friendlier and the city gets a renewed sense of energy.

Another change which comes as a result of the nicer weather is an increased desire to get out and start home shopping. During the spring it is easier to get around and homes tend to look a lot nicer with the flowers in full bloom.

While this year might prove to be a little different, home sellers that make use of innovative property marketing tools such as 3D Floor Plans, 3D Renderings and 3D Walkthroughs stand a much better chance of getting noticed in such a competitive real estate market.

Vivaty - 3D Social Networking

3Dwalkthroughs.com has predicting for some time now that social networking and 3D virtual worlds will merge to create a more immersive and interactive experience than flat 2D social networking sites. We believe the ability to speak in person, even if through avatars, will take social networking to a much more compelling level.

Start-up company Vivaty of Menlo Park, California, is making our prediction come true. Vivaty is combines social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace with 3D virtual worlds like Second Life. Rather than filling a web page with photos, a list of hobbies and their favourite software applications, as users of Facebook do today, Vivaty users will get access to a virtual room where they can adorn the walls with photos, watch a virtual television that plays YouTube or invite friends over to join them.

Instead of chatting by sending each other messages, Vivaty users will be able to speak "in person" via 3D avatars. Vivaty will be offered to Facebook users this year.

Source: www.technology.newscientist.com

We are certainly going to give Vivaty a thorough test drive to experience this new application first hand. If their hybrid social networking and 3D virtual world platform is as flexible as they say, Vivaty will certainly be a company to watch.

Fusion3D - WOW!!!

A few days ago 3Dwalkthroughs.com posted a story about a company that provides retail outlets with 3D holographic displays to engage consumers while they shop.

After reading this story one of our colleagues sent us a link to a different company, enliven. Enliven's product, Fusion3D, is a new advertising medium that uses high definition digital marketing technology for the projection of freeform three-dimensional holograms. Fusion3D creates crisp, realistic hologram representations of the object or person that is being projected. Content for Fusion3D can tie directly into the branding that is created for television, print and other advertising and marketing mediums.

Fusion3D content can include life size animated holograms, 3D objects and live performers that can interact with one another to promote a store, product or brand. Fusion3D technology can deliver high-impact creative marketing content for retail store windows, trade shows, conferences and other marketing venues.

source: http://enliven.com/fusion3d/

The website has a demo of a Fusion3D presentation that was created for the GE Aviation theatre presented in the UK, Paris and Dubai Air Shows. After you view the demo we guarantee your head will be spinning with possible applications of this 3D technology...check it out!

3D Modeling Company To Help Populate Vastpark Virtual Worlds

A new deal was announced that could mean a dramatic improvement in the look and feel of at least one of the 3D Virtual Worlds. The partnership teams up Vastpark, a virtual world application and game developer, with TurboSquid home to the world's largest marketplace of royalty-free 3D models.

TurboSquid and VastPark will simplify the previously complex process of integrating highly detailed 3D models into a virtual world by enabling VastPark users to call content directly from TurboSquid's extensive catalog of more than 195,000 3D models and into a VastPark world.

"Our virtual world creators will benefit a great deal from the link to TurboSquid," says Bruce Joy, CEO of VastPark. "They'll have access to a large quantity of unique content that they can use more immediately. Our development with TurboSquid will make the process of creating high-quality virtual worlds much easier."

"TurboSquid has long been the leading provider of 3D models and related content for video and print media such as games, architecture, and film. Making this content available for virtual worlds is a natural extension of our core business," says TurboSquid CEO Matt Wisdom. "Our independent sellers, the artists who create all the content for sale at our site, will now enjoy increased exposure to a new and incredibly vast marketplace of users."

Source: gamespy.com

The public beta of VastPark will be launching on April 10th and 3Dwalkthroughs.com is interested to see how much the quality of graphics and overall experience improves based on this new partnership...we will keep you posted.

3D Holographic Video Launched In US Retail Outlets

3Dwalkthroughs.com came across a very cool use of 3D technology that has been launched in retail outlets in the United States.

Provision Interactive Technologies, implements its patented Holo 3D technology into Kiosks which project full color, high resolution videos into space detached from the screen, without any special glasses. The 3DEO Reward Centers are available in a large and a small version. The large version is equipped with a 40-inch 3D holographic display and dual touchscreens, while the smaller centers have a 17-inch 3D holographic display and a single touchscreen.

Source: selfservice.org

The flash demo on Provision Interactive technologies website gives a very good example of how their technology is used to captivate consumers by projecting objects in immersive 3D. Currently the technology is available on the west coast but it is probably just a matter of time before it hits the east coast. It will be interesting to see other applications for this technology aside from just retail outlets.

Imagine walking into a sales office of a new property and seeing a 3D walkthrough of a property that literally is suspended in mid-air.

About Provision Interactive Technologies
Provision Interactive Technologies, Inc. ("Provision") develops 3D interactive display technologies for a wide array of market channels.

The futuristic nature of Provision has created several early commercial applications. The Company's initial line of display systems has proven to be ideally suited for indoor and outdoor point-of-sale, merchandising and point of sale related advertising venues. Provision is currently the market leader in true 3D consumer advertising display products being implemented by leading consumer focused Fortune 1000 companies.

Our interactive display technologies deliver images that engage and inform customers at point of sale and in-store advertising locations in a dramatic and persuasive manner, thereby influencing customers in their purchase-making decisions.

Source: provisionentertainment.com

SpaceNavigator- Improving Navigation in 3D Virtual Worlds

3Dconnexion's, SpaceNavigator, a rubber-capped multi-axis metal dial meant mainly for 3D design, has been put to even better use as a pan-dimensional controller for Second Life.

Source: Gizmodo.com

The SpaceNavigator controller has been used previously as a design tool by modelers working with various CAD and GIS applications. In mid-april, Second Life's creator Linden Lab will start supporting the SpaceNavigator 3D Mouse to bring new levels of direct control and immersion to the Second Life Grid platform.

3Dwalkthroughs.com is excited about this announcement as we have been frustated by the existing navigation options of Second Life and other 3D virtual platforms which have required the use of a keyboard and a mouse.

Below is a detailed list of the capabilities offered by the SpaceNavigator:

* Fluid avatar control: Residents can effortlessly control their avatars by gently lifting, pressing and turning the 3D mouse control cap.

* Easy access to camera views: With a twist of the control cap, residents can navigate the camera view and enjoy fluid and highly intuitive control while in flycam mode.

* Quick-switch between flycam mode and avatar motion: The pre-configured buttons on the 3D mice give residents a streamlined navigation experience with the ability to easily transfer between flycam mode and avatar motion - without stopping to select keyboard commands. In addition, the Second Life interface includes default navigation settings for 3Dconnexion 3D mice, allowing people to adjust the speed and settings according to their preferences.

* Control of 3D objects in build mode: While working in build mode, users can pan, zoom and rotate 3D objects to view designs from multiple angles. The 3D mice's pre-configured buttons can be used to change the view to camera mode, providing advanced control of 3D objects and enabling a fluid design process.

Source: Gizmodo.com

3D Marketing in a Down Market

An eye-opening article in the The Real Deal describes an upcoming year that will produce a very limited of new development projects to break ground.

The article included a Q&A with a number of developers that offered their frank opinions about the current climate in the real estate industry. Click here>> for the full article.

In spite of the lack of new projects that will get started in the upcoming year, 3Dwalkthroughs.com still believes the demand for 3D Walkthroughs, 3D Floor Plans and 3D Renderings will remain high as developers will still seek out innovative marketing materials to help sell their current inventories.

With that being said, if the slump in new development projects was to continue over a period of 2-3 years, we might have to rethink our optimism.

Landprint.com - 3D Physical Models Of Any Landscape

3Dwalkthroughs.com came across a pretty interesting service launched by Landprint.com. LandPrint.com's new service creates 3D physical models of any landscape on the planet. The models are created using the 3D printing technology of the Z Corporation

LandPrint.com gets its digital terrain data from NASA and the US Geological Survey, and will soon incorporate street, building and other data from additional third parties, making the site a powerful tool for professionals like architects, contractors and civil engineers.

"We help consumers capture the landscape they yearn to remember and professionals visualize the terrain that looks so nondescript in their blueprints," said Tom Gaskins, CEO of LandPrint.com, based in Redmond, Wash.

"Together with Z Corporation, we are taking raw geospatial data and turning it into something they can savor and understand at a much deeper level. Z Corporation 3D printers offer a superior blend of speed, color, resolution, and affordability, so they were the obvious -- rather, the only -- choice for us."

Source: Earthtimes.org

The 3D models created by Landprint.com are relatively inexpensive and we envision they will eventually be used by property developers in their sales offices.