What do Nike, MTV and Effective Real Estate Marketing Have in Common?

Nike, MTV and Effective Real Estate Marketing have one trait in common: All three utilize powerful imagery to generate an emotional response from their intended audience.

Phil Knight of Nike had the foresight to create powerful marketing messages utilizing strong images/video of select sports superstars wearing Nike products (ex. Andre Agassi, Michael Jordan, etc.). He understood that a combination of imagery and his marketing message would create larger than life heroes, and ultimately strengthen the Nike brand.

Similarly, MTV recognized that creating a forum to comine video with music would create a much stronger response to the artist and their music, compared to listening to the music on its own.

As the price of digital photo/video cameras, editing software and virtual tours have dramatically decreased, coupled with increasing number of free sites that host these assets, virtually any space holder is capable of creating rich media assets to showcase their property.

Similar to Phil Knight and MTV, forward thing real estate marketers understand the emotional attachments strong imagery can create to their property.

One of the mottos at my other company, 3Dwalkthroughs.com, is "we don't create pictures", "we create emotions."

In today's economy, companies and individuals most do whatever they can to stand out from the crowd. Not including imagery on a property listing, especially considering how easy its become, is just bad business.

One of the first negative comments we received when we launched Open Office Space was that "we suck" because we did not offer an ability to add video to our listings. (granted, we should have known better) Needless to say people can now add video to their property listings...and we don't suck. 

The video below tells the story of one of the pioneers of the coworking movement, Citizen Space. Notice how effectively the video demonstrates their culture and makes you want to be a part of their space. Much more effective than simply a written description.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsgxkTOLgig

An additional bonus of creating rich imagery such as video and pictures is they can also be posted to sites such as YouTube, Flickr, etc. These sites can garner your property significant more exposure than simply placing them on a static website. 

The data is mounting regarding the competitive advantage that can be gained by adding imagery to your property listing.

So, the question remains. Will you sit with your arms crossed holding your breath, insisting you can't afford, or don't have the techical expertise to create powerful imagery for your space.  Or will you stop with excuses and realize creating rich imagery is easy, affordable, and most importantly, the most effective way of getting your property noticed.

PDF3D - Integration of Interactive 3D Models into PDF Documents

UK based PDF3D has recently launched a publishing tool that allows for the integration of interactive 3D models into PDF documents. With PDF3D's tool, users can rotate, zoom, select and explore 3D images in much greater detail than a flat 2D image.

The tool is being promoted to a wide range of industries including: Geology, Aerospace, Engineering, Architecture and Bioinfomatics.

The newest version of the free adobe reader makes viewing 3D objects and images a breeze.

3Dwalkthroughs.com posted about the possibilities of the new Adobe 3D products in the past. The ability to create PDF brochures with integrated, interactive 3D images is very valuable for our business.

Using this technology, property developers can create very effective brochures of their new development properties which include detailed 3D views of the unit exterior and interior. The ability to interact with the model allows the user to more thoroughly review all the properties details from all sides.

While we are a little behind schedule implementing this tool into our arsenal, it is definitely on our "to do" list for the second quarter of 2008.

New 3D Mouse To Enhance The Experience in Virtual Worlds

California based Sandio Technology Corporation, demonstrated its 3D mouse at the 2008International CES show that opened today in Las Vegas. The Sandio 3D Game O2 was designed to enhance a users experience in Google Earth, Virtual Earth and virtual worlds such as Second Life. The main benefit of the Sandio 3D mouse is allowing users to navigate the 3D Internet without dealing with keyboard or on-screen navigation tabs.

Another benefit of the Sandio 3D mouse is users of CAD software like Google SketchUp and AutoDesk's 3D Studio Max can move along and rotate about the x, y, z axis in both Screen and Camera modes without switching between 3D objects and operation
menus.

Source: Reuters.com

In the short term, 3Dwalkthroughs.com will be testing the new mouse with the virtual world technology we have been working with. Down the road, we hope to utilize the new mouse to help navigate within our interactive 3D Walkthroughs.

About Sandio Technologies
Sandio Technology Corporation was founded in 2004. Headquartered in San Jose, its mission is to enhance users' 3D experience by developing and marketing 3D input devices with true 6DOF motion control, based on its patented 3D input technology. 3D internet users and PC gamers enjoy more, while CAD engineers and artists gain
productivity with Sandio 3D mouse. Industrial 3D applications, like 3D GPS, robotic control, medical, automotive and military, can take advantage of Sandio's 3D input technology.

Can 3D Renderings Be Created if CAD files are unavailable?

3Dwalkthroughs.com is often asked by clients what can be done if the CAD files we typically use as our guide to build pinpoint accurate 3D Walkthroughs, 3D Renderings and 3D Floor Plans are incomplete or unavailable.

The answer is Alot.

While completed CAD files are necessary if the overall goal is accuracy, watercolors, sketch drawings, reference pictures and 2D Floor Plans can be used to create very good conceptional representations.

One of our clients asked us to create a 3D rendering of a house but did not have the completed CAD files. A few months prior, they had a watercolor created but it did not seem to be doing the trick as far as marketing the property effectively. In addition to the watercolor the client was able to provide us with basic elevations and reference pictures describing some of the exterior features. The results are above.

We are currently working on creating 3D renderings of the interior of the same property and will then move on to creating a full 3D walkthrough of the property.

Homebuilders that are trying to sell empty lots with a prospect of building a home on the property should seriously consider creating 3D assets to entice potential buyers...it sure beats showing pictures of a vacant plot of land.

Con Artist - Film Trailer Released

3Dwalkthroughs.com is excited to announce that our friend Michael Sladek of Plug Ugly Films in cooperation with Acme Pictures (American Cannibal) has released a trailer of their new movie, Con Artist.

The trailer can be viewed here>>>

About Con Artist
Famously controversial and eccentric multi-millionaire artist / media provocateur Mark Kostabi is one of the most successful living painters
in America, selling over 1500 canvases every year. His works have sold to the Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan, the Guggenheim
and numerous other major institutions worldwide. But Kostabi doesn’t paint “his” own paintings. In fact, he doesn’t even come up with the
ideas for “his” paintings. Instead, he employs others to do these tasks for him. And this approach, which he’s openly employed since his
meteoric rise to fame in New York’s explosive 1980s Post-Punk art scene, is what made him internationally famous.

Over twenty years of on camera scrutiny have honed Kostabi’s skills as a showman and as an expert deflector of criticism. But his
behind-the-scenes preparations and fakery are laughingly illuminated before our cameras as the line between performance and reality
breaks down. As Kostabi constantly displays his manipulations in art, performance, business, and his personal life, he and his staff prepare
a major move while producing a weekly cable access game show in his bustling New York studio. When he leaves for Rome (where he
meets the Pope, sips espresso, rubs elbows with international celebs, and sells “his” art on national TV) Kostabi’s staff moves his huge
studio for him, whilst a budding love affair and every inch of what he does is called in to question. The insanity eventually crescendos as
unexpected revelations leave one wondering what, if anything Kostabi does, is real.

CON ARTIST is a docu-comedy feature film about artists, the business of art, and the fine line between reality and perception. Along the
way we’ll meet a large number of celebrities, critics and experts who will help frame the underlying narrative about artists and art, celebrity
and image: What are artists? Are the clichés true? Are they brooding and broke? Left wing liberals? Wanton sex freaks with flamoyant
natures? Can a businessman be an artist? An athlete? A game show host? Are celebrities ever what they seem or is everything an act?
Has money ruined art? What’s the current boom in the art market all about? Does talent matter? Does art itself matter? Who decides
what’s good? Who decides what sells? Is it all just another business? And where does a strange figure like Mark Kostabi fit in all of this?
Is modern art a con and is he, in fact, “the world’s greatest con artist”?

American Cannibal Voted Best Documentary of 2007 by Kurt Loder of MTV

3Dwalkthroughs.com is excited to announce that American Cannibal was voted the best documentary of 2007 by Kurt Loder of MTV.

As associate producers of the American Cannibal we are very pleased with this announcement. The movie has been released on DVD and is available for purchase at video stores nation wide. It will also start airing on Showtime in the middle of January and continue into the beginning of February.

About AMERICAN CANNIBAL(2006)
American Cannibal pushes beyond Fahrenheit/911 and Supersize Me to break new ground in documentary territory.

Rather than forcing situations and twisting facts to tell a story, filmmakers Perry Grebin & Michael Nigro spent two and a half years twisting real life itself, and the result is the story.

The filmmakers began American Cannibal in 2004 as a bold social experiment with reality. The set in motion real events that allowed them unlimited access to the results, pushing their cameras deep into the glitterdome of reality-TV production to emerge with an equally bold exposé.

They watch as struggling writers earnestly pitch TV ideas, eventually selling out to the man behind the Paris Hilton sex tape. The sadistic, shameless reality show they churn out is documented from start to finish: from throwaway pitch to manic auditions through train-wreck production.

Alongside the drama, the filmmakers interview prominent producers, psychologists, network execs, celebrities and “D-lebrities,” who offer candid insight and scathing judgements on our society.

American Cannibal is a documentary as wild as the story behind it: a shocking, hilarious, bona fide portrait of our celebrity-driven culture and the appalling lengths we’ll go to for entertainment.

In Vision Inkjet Printer - Create Full Color Physical Models from 3D Data

One of the benefits of the entire 3Dwalkthroughs.com suite of products including: 3D Walkthroughs, 3D Renderings,3D Floor Plans and Interactive 3D products is the ability to view a property from anywhere in the world before it is built.

Sometimes, however, the ability to touch and feel a physical model of an architectural design can offer benefits that cannot be derived from computer generated models.

London based, Thinglab have created a service that takes computer based 3D models and literally "prints" them into an actual, physical model using a specialised inkjet printer.

The process involves breaking the 3D model down into cross sections, and then printing them a layer at a time, from the bottom up. The specialized printer can even print complex models with holes in them. This is mandatory if windows and other architecutal details are to be shown accurately.

The printer is available to buy, although due to the cost it is not really aimed at the home market. Using the ThingLab service a single model can be created starting at around $600.00.

In addition to architectural models, the printer can also generate realistic topography models as well as 3D objects, medical devices and more.

For more information about this service you can check out Thinglab's website here>>>

Interesting Real Estate Site Focused On The 2nd Home Market

3Dwalkthroughs.com came across an interesting press release issued by the 2ndhome® Marketing Network regarding their plans to develop new State Pages on their website which will offer up-to-date information and links on vacation home markets across the U.S. The information is gathered from owners of second homes and real estate professionals selling vacation and resort properties.

In addition to information about the local areas, the new state pages seem like perfect places to link 3D Walkthroughs, 3D Renderings and 3D Floor Plans of vacation homes that are not yet built.

When looking at vacation home communities or for places to retire, potential buyers want to have access to in depth information about the local market that they are considering. Many elements enter into the decision about where to buy including: climate, cultural activities, accessibility and other amenities. The more local information that can be made available to these prospective buyers, the more likely they will consider purchasing property in a given community.

The site encourages market-specific comments and links about recurring cultural events, activities, restaurants and other items of interest in second home communities.

About 2nd home specialist

2nd home Specialist is a quarterly digital magazine featuring specialized information for Real Estate Professional who sell vacation, resort, investment and retirement properties. The Specialist serves successful real estate professionals and provides them with a full range of valuable and engaging information.

Each quarter, 2nd home Specialist targets leading real estate professionals who are prospering in a market that the National Association of Real Estate Professional says is the fastest growing in the real estate industry, both domestically and internationally.

The Specialist regularly showcases products and services along with articles of interest to these same professionals. It enables Real Estate Professional to better serve clients here and abroad, make their businesses more competitive in this rapidly evolving market, generate leads, make referrals, and build a repeat base of satisfied clients.

The Specialist features a searchable Referral Network which allows Real Estate Professional to locate other Real Estate Professional by locations and/or expertise. The Specialist is also linked to our powerful and easy to use world class web site, www.2ndhome.net. It is a specially designed, secure and easy to use site, which allows you to seamlessly and easily add and edit your listing data.

Source: 2nd Home Specialist Website

New 3D Technology Platforms in 2008?

3Dwalkthroughs.com spends a good deal of time researching new 3D technology. Part of our research is based on our interest in field, and part is based on our desire to integrate the latest and greatest advancements in 3D technology into our current offerings.

We read a couple of recent articles in prominent industry magazines that suggest that 2007 offered just a taste of what's to come in the world of 3D. 2008 is expected to be the year for huge advances in 3D technology and virtual world platforms.

The convergence of 3D virtual worlds and social networking platforms is going to kick into high gear. The number of 3D virtual worlds available is also expected to see exponential growth.

It is predicted that 3D virtual worlds are going to get much more specific in their focus. For example, virtual trade shows, virtual stores and virtual fitness centers will be marketed to specific groups as opposed to just integrated into an infinite world such as "Second Life". These micro 3D virtual worlds are expected to sprout as fast as today's websites are launched on the internet.

Do it yourself, virtual world templates will be launched which will let anyone easily customize and launch their own virtual world.

We are only a few days away from 2008, and are very excited to continue to bring you the most cutting edge new in 3D in the new year.

The next level of 3D Animation

If Jos Stam has his way, 3D animation will soon be subject to all the laws of physics. Waves crashing, leaves blowing in the breeze and candles flickering will be as random and realistic as they appear in real life.

Jos Stam is one of the lead developers for Autodesk, the software company that produces Maya, the world's leading 3D modeling software. Maya is responsible for many of the special effects in modern movies as well as some of the 3D animation seen in 3D Walkthroughs and Interactive 3D presentations.

Stams, newest concept, a module for Maya called Nucleus, would involve teaching visual effects software all the fundamental laws of physics and then letting it do the grunt work for you. Think of it as a unified field theory for animation — the animator can simply plug in the variables:

Wind speed: 25 knots
Wave height: 7 feet
Ship's mass: 46,000 tons
Ocean depth: 7,000 feet

The result would be a totally realistic animation of waves crashing over a ship in gale force winds.

Additional details might include air and water temperature, time of day (for lighting effects), wind direction, etc. With the parameters set, hit Enter and voilá — the software would crunch the numbers and spit out the finished scene. At least, that's the theory. In practice, while algorithms for individual components (fire, water) already exist, integrating them all together has proven to be hideously complicated.

Source: Wired.com

An article in Wired.com describes Stam's effort in more details and gives more examples of how Nucleus, once completed, could change the future of animation as we know it. It even points out the irony that would exists for film makers if Nucleus was successful. As effects produced by this module would be subject to the laws of physics, they would be as random as they exist in the real world, and hard to control when filming a scene.

3Dwalkthroughs.com will be following the developments of this module as it offers our entire industry a new way of taking all of our 3D products to the next level of realism.

The full article can be found here>>>

3D Window Display Created from a Wii Controller

3Dwalkthroughs.com has just started looking into how the Nintendo Wii Controller can be used to help improve the experience when navigating through a 3D Walkthrough or Interactive 3D Floor Plan.

Imagine being able to control the view of a 3D Walkthrough simply by turning your head. We recently came across a post on Gizmodo.com that describes how this might become possible.

Johnny Chung Lee, a PhD student from Carnegie Mellon University has created a headtracking device which he calls the Wiimote. The wiimote creates an amazing 3D view which chnages as you turn your head or lean to the left or right.

The effect requires you to wear a sensor bar (or any IR-emitting headband) and place the Wiimote by the screen. Essentially, your head becomes the mouse which controls the 3D view on the screen. One of the drawbacks of this method is that only one person can view the effect at a time. For gamers this might be a problem, but for the purposes of interacting with a 3D Walkthrough this might be a great solution.

Our creative team will put this on our punch list for 2008.

The You Tube video describing the Chung Lee's device can be found here>>

For other interesting projects that Johnny Chung Lee is involved with please click here>>>

Nassau Physicians Foundation

3Dwalkthroughs.com is proud to announce that our interactive services division, Launchsight Solutions, has been selected to build a website for the Nassau Physicians Foundation.

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.

Pathways Women's Health offers the newest technology in diagnostic testing in a peaceful & aesthetically pleasing atmosphere that was created with the intention of easing the stress many confront while waiting for testing & results. This unique center also celebrates women & their creativity by exhibiting artwork of female artists from the Long Island area & has a psychotherapist on staff who assists those who would benefit from relaxation techniques to reduce any anxiety related to testing.

It has been Dr. Fish's goal to go beyond the focus of the diagnostic testing by offering techniques, medical & ancillary, ancient & new, that facilitate both physical & emotional health & emphasize the connection between the two. She committed herself to providing an extensive Complimentary Health Seminar Series, offering SUPPORT GROUPS for women coping with all forms of cancer, developing a WELLNESS PROGRAM to focus on prevention & stress reduction & initiated a free ADOLESCENT HEALTH EDUCATION SERIES,"THE UNBEATEN PATH."

Pathways offers MAMMOGRAPHY, ULTRASONOGRAPHY, BONE DENSITOMETRY, CARDIAC STRESS TESTING, & CORONARY CALCIFICATION SCORING while its parent, Manhasset Diagnostic Imaging offers a full range of diagnostic imaging such as CT SCAN, OPEN MRI, X RAY, NUCLEAR MEDICINE, FLUORO, AMNIOCENTESIS, & MRA

The Nassau Physician's Foundation will be comprised of some of the top doctors, business people, and philanthropists in Long Island.

The NPF website will serve as a valuable resource for visitors who would like to learn more about the Foundation or looking for a way to get involved.

Our interactive division is excited about the possibility of integrating some of the virtual world technology we have been working with over the past year. While might be a ways down the road, we believe it will create a truly unique and cutting edge experience for site visitors.

SiteSeer3D - 3D Views of Local Geography and Points of Interest

3Dwalkthroughs.com just came across a new technology to help remote viewers get a good sense of local geography, homes and points of interest directly from their computer.

Idaho based, SiteSeer3D Inc., has developed an online application that allows real estate agents to show buyers 3D views of areas that surround a particular home for sale. The technology differs from Google Earth and Microsoft Live Maps as it interfaces with local MLS feeds which provides details on any home for sale including: listing photos, tours, physical characteristics, associated flyers, mortgage calculators, community links and resources etc. The above screenshot illustrates a bird'e eye view of our office location. The view was generated by using the SiteSeer3D application.

Another interesting feature of the SiteSeer3D technology is that a real estate agent can use a remote tour guide feature, to control the tour while explaining all the points of interest to their client.

We will continue to play around with the site but so far we are impressed with its functionality.

About SiteSeer3D
The SiteSeer3D™ plug-in is a web based mapping application that allows consumers to interactively explore a realistic 3D map composed of satellite imagery, a digital elevation model and value added data layers such as parcels. Additional data is added to the map by allowing consumers to search the MLS and other databases to display results that match their specific interests.

The 3D map is interactive, meaning that by using a computer mouse or keyboard, the consumer can virtually “fly” around the map and even change perspective from looking straight down to looking at an angle that will show the horizon and mountains. Customization occurs by allowing customers to search the client data set and request data that specifically meets their interests. Results of the user’s search are displayed on the 3D map and are hyperlinked to additional information.

Using the SiteSeer3D™ web mapping application, consumers can virtually visit the location of listings for sale from the comfort of their own homes or offices. Seeing the location of the listing on the 3D map with the additional data layers provides the consumer with additional insight into a listing that could not be obtained without an actual visit to the location. This insight will help consumers focus their search to listings that best meet their ideals and will eliminate costly travel and time expenses to properties that are not suited to their needs.

Service Description

The SiteSeer3D™ plug-in is sold in two configurations.

SiteSeerMLS is designed with the specific needs of real estate agents in mind. This product is purchased at the MLS level. One username and password protected web page interface is created with the MLS branding that will be accessible to all the members of the MLS. The search portion of the interface allows access to the additional non-public MLS data. Additional tools such as the ability to map un-geocoded listings will also be available. Localized data such as ownership, city/county zoning or demographics will be available. Providing agents with local relevant data will set SiteSeerMLS apart from other services.

SiteSeerPublic is designed to be used by the public to search for available listings specifically from a real estate agent or office website. SiteSeerPublic will be linked to a real estate agent or office website. This level of service will provide branding embedded into the search page that will direct the consumers’ interest in found listings back to the agent or office that provides the search link. The interface on this service will be highly intuitive and simplified to best meet the needs of the public.

How it is added to your website

Virtually any web designer or realtor can embed the SiteSeer map into their website easily without being an expert in web programming, databases or geography. SiteSeer takes care of all that for you by hosting and geocoding the MLS data and serving up the 3D map and data layers which results in a reduction of software, hardware and overhead costs for you. Our database technicians will work with the MLS data feed to make sure our Servers mirror the information you have. We will review the MLS rules and provide you with a small piece of html code that contains the link to the branded SiteSeerMLS or SiteSeerPublic tool and a graphic for you to add to your website.

Source: SiteSee3D website

Sketchpad in NY Times - The Use of 3D Floor Plans and 3D Renderings To Tell An Interesting Story

3Dwalkthroughs.com often finds interesting articles about architecture and real estate in the Sunday online edition of the NY Times. This week there was an audio slideshow titled, Grandeur in One Room, which describes how an architect took on the challenge of transforming a studio space into a much more impressive and elegant living environment.

The story makes use of 3D Floor Plans and 3D Renderings to show how the space will look once the development is complete. Anyone that has ever looked to buy real estate in NYC, (and not members of the Rockerfeller family) knows how small of a space their money will buy. After seeing what can be done to a studio apartment, maybe there is hope after all.

About The Project

The Cotton Exchange at 3 Hanover Square in NYC was converted into co-ops in the late 1980's. Henry Stolzman a partner at PKSB Architects was given a challenge to re-design 2 studio apartments within the Cotton Exchange, which both contained the same layout. The designs transformed the studio spaces into loft-like spaces with the bed concealed by a curving screen. A long hallway (gallery) was also created in one of the studios which had a built in kitchen and desk area, creating a processional effect within the room. An 18ft wide 2 step staircase was built to separate the rest of the studio from the gallery. The raised floor also gave the perception of larger windows with better views.

Source NYTIMES.COM

A slideshow that describes the process can be found here>>

3D Virtual Lower East Side (VLES.com)

Over the past past year 3Dwalkthroughs.com has been writing about the convergence of social networks and 3D virtual worlds. 3D environments create an immersive and much more interesting way of interacting within a social network than flat 2D social environments.

The music industry is pushing the pace of this convergence seemingly faster than any other industry. Almost every day a new or existing band is announcing a performance in one of the 3D virtual worlds, such as Second Life or There.com.

We just came across a new 3D virtual world which was conceived by MTV. VLES, short for virtual lower east side, is focused specifically on the music industry and modeled after the lower east side of Manhattan. I firmly believe that as the convergence of 3D virtual worlds and social networks continues, the 3D virtual platforms with a specific target audience are the ones that are going to be successful.

About VLES

What is VLES?
vLES is a new online social network that revolves around New York City's Lower East Side—a Mecca for young bands and music. It's also where artists, fashion designers, and promoters mix together in a big melting pot of trendsetting, partying, music-loving insanity. We asked these people for their help in creating a digital replica of their neighborhood. It's called the virtual Lower East Side (vLES) and now you can be part of it.

What Goes on Here?
Imagine you had the means to attend concerts from today’s most groundbreaking bands night after night, for free. Well, now you do. No matter where you live you’ll have the opportunity to see uncut live performances at recreations of legendary LES venues, like virtual Pianos and virtual Cake Shop. We’ve also made it easy for all you struggling bands to share your music with the world, with the potential to land real gigs and television spots.

Who did this?
Originally conceived by MTV Music Group, we teamed up with the Virtue group for Music Production, Marketing and Creative Consulting. The Virtual World was built by Doppelganger. The corresponding website was put together by the Donat Group, with the Artistic Guidance of Signature Creative.

Source: VLES website

YouTube and New Location Markers for Google Maps

According to an article in Wired News, Google Maps has added new location markers showing videos from YouTube, books from Google Book Search, and geo-tagged photos from Panoramio.

If you do a search in Google Maps, and there are relevant photos, videos or books in that area, blue place markers will open the content in a typical Google Maps pop-up window with a preview. YouTube videos are also embedded, so you can watch them without leaving the map. The YouTube videos are plotted according to geotags that YouTube users have placed on their content.

One of the criticisms of Google Maps is that have been limited to external data exclusive to Google services. Regardless, 3Dwalkthroughs.com thinks the new location markers are extremely valuable for integrating 3D Walkthroughs, 3D Renderings and 3D Floor Plans into Google mapped locations throughout the world.

If a development project is under way, and 3D assets have been created, location markers can be a very effective way for foreign investors to search for investment properties from remote locations. Google has also recently launched community map features which can help people find things like places to eat, events, and other activities. The community features content is all generated by users.

Spector Group Featured in Today's Newsday

Marc Spector, friend and advisory board member of 3Dwalkthroughs.com, was featured in today's Newsday for his companies role in the Lighthouse Project in Hempstead.

We recently visited the new headquarters of the Spector Group in Woodbury, Long Island and were blown away by the look and feel of their new space. Any doubt a new client might have before going to meet with the Spector Group will surely be erased the minute they walk through the door.

We are looking forward to creating 3D Walkthroughs, 3D Renderings and 3D Floor Plans for some of their future development projects.

The full Newsday article is below.

Newsday.com
Spector focusing on Lighthouse Project, in pieces
Patricia Kitchen

December 13, 2007

If you want to see what's likely one of Long Island's most supersized to-do lists, take a look over the shoulder of Marc Spector.

That's because Spector, 42, heads the Long Island office of the Spector Group in Woodbury, the architectural and design firm named associate architect of record for the massive Lighthouse Project in Hempstead, proposed by Islanders owner Charles Wang and Scott Rechler, chief executive of RexCorp Realty Llc.

That means that while Baltimore-based Development Design Group Inc. will be focusing on designing the overall master plan for the 5.5- million-square-foot development, Spector Group - assuming the project gets a green light - will zero in on designing the components: 30-story twin towers, a five-star hotel, a conference center, a sports arena and a shopping area.

"People are going to identify with particular buildings. Those pieces are what I'm concerned with," says Spector, who keeps pencil and paper near his bedside for late-night brainstorms. Asked how many sketches and models his team created for the initial plan submitted in November to the Town of Hempstead, he says, "You should only know!"

And that enormous project is only one of many.

During the summer, Spector assumed the reins of day-to-day operations of the Long Island office from his father, Michael, who started the firm in 1965 and who is now doing design and business development for the firm. (Spector's brother, Scott, 45, heads the firm's Manhattan office.) In addition, Marc Spector oversaw the redesign of the Woodbury office, a 25,000-square-foot building, as well as the staff's relocation there from North Hills early in the fall.

High-profile megaprojects are nothing new for him and his group, which has designed, among others: RexCorp Plaza in Uniondale, Jericho Plaza, CA headquarters in Islandia, and the headquarters building of the former Symbol Technologies in Holtsville. Of course, not all are corporate jobs: The firm is also involved in redesigning buildings in the Great Neck school district, including Great Neck North High School, Spector's alma mater, from which he went on to get bachelor's and master's degrees in architecture from the University of Michigan. ("Go, Wolverines" is still his cry.)

Spector says he understands well the principles of creating strong partnerships and calling in help when needed. Indeed, to ensure a smooth management succession, he, his dad and his brother worked for several years with a family business consultant to help the transition "occur seamlessly and without disturbance to the client base."

While the business' core principles - inherited from his father and late grandfather, who also was an architect - remain unchanged, he says he knows he'll bring his own subtle imprints. For one thing, his style may be a little more informal, and he may communicate more with senior managers.

Plus, says Jane Felsen Gertler, the firm's associate director of marketing, "Marc is naturally more technology-savvy, so he is constantly accessible and communicative via phone, BlackBerry, computer. The flow of information is so rapid, and he is continually on top of every situation pertaining to the office and our clientele."

Still, something's got to give, right? Family life? Projects piling up at home?

Perhaps not. Following in his father's footsteps, Spector brings his three children, ages 13, 11 and 6, to job sites over the weekend, to do what longtime family terminology characterizes as "going to see the dirt."

As for home projects, he says architecture/design is his hobby as well as his profession, so he's seen his Roslyn home as a "residential lab." He's overseen five additions to the house, with the sixth to come this spring. "My wife is waiting for the next construction crew to start again," he says.

Source: Newsday.com

HotPads- A mashup of Microsoft's Virtual Earth and Rental/Real Estate Listings

3Dwalkthroughs.com came across an interesting new mashup that allows users to quickly compare available rentals and sales for a given price range.

HotPads, has introduced the first buy Vs. rent housing search portal by mashing up Microsoft's Virtual Earth with rental/real estate listings. The unique portal is designed to help people make the most informed decisions when looking to move.

About HotPads

At HotPads we think that it should be easier to find your next home. With HotPads' innovative map-based search, we are striving to give people the best communication platform for sharing information about available housing. We encourage everybody to post info about available homes for sale, apartments, rental houses, sublets, and roommate opportunities. If you've got a place, there's someone out there who wants it.

Oh...and we're FREE! We are dedicated to offering our users a comprehensive "inventory" of available housing. The only way to do this is to make the site free for everyone to post, so that all parties, regardless of budget, can advertise their properties on HotPads.

Source: Hotpads.com website

In the near future I imagine the site will also include the ability to feature new development projects and include 3D renderings, 3D floor Plans and 3D walkthroughs.

3D Virtual Worlds and Social Networking

For the last year 3Dwalkthroughs.com has been predicting the convergence of social networks and 3D virtual worlds. Today there was an article on Forbes.com that confirms our prediction.

According to the article, by 2011 up to 80% of active Internet users, or 250 million people, will participate online in 3D virtual worlds. This prediction was based on a study conducted by the internet consultant Gartner.

Forbes mentioned the 3D virtual world Kaneva as one of the front runners, in addition to better known, Second Life. Kaneva differs from Second Life by encouraging the creation of avatars that are online versions of their real identities, linking photos of themselves and lists of hobbies to their animated avatars. Second Life, in contrast, fosters taking on an alternative identity, including imaginary beasts.

Both Second Life and Kaneva are free to join. They get revenue by selling play money, leasing virtual land and, in the case of Kaneva, by promoting real-world commerce (especially TV shows).

Source: Forbes.com

It is exciting to think of the opportunities that will come from the converegence of these 2 technologies. Trying to predict the specifics however, seems pointless. (if you don't believe me I will lend you some of the books that were written during the .com days)

3D Renderings and 3D Floor Plans To Aid In Home Remodeling

As the housing market continues to flounder, many homeowners are pulling their properties off the market and looking to remodel instead. As opposed to settling for a low sales price, many homeowners are hunkering down and improving the homes that already they have.

3Dwalkthroughs.com has been experiencing this phenomenon first hand with an increase in the number of 3D Renderings and 3D Floor Plans we are creating for home owners doing remodeling projects.

It is smart investment to be able to see what a remodeled room will look like before the work starts and it is too late. Once the construction starts, any changes can be costly or the homeowner might be forced to settle with something they are not totally pleased with.

The level of realism that can be achieved with our 3D technology allows even the smallest details to be critiqued before construction starts. Candles, sconces, finishes, chair rails, crown moldings, paint color, furniture, etc. can all be shown as if a photograph was taken of a finished room.

3D Renderings and 3D Floor Plans can also be used to archive the capital improvement work that is being done. These archived materials can be valuable for insurance purposes, as well as for sales and marketing materials if the market conditions soften.

At a fraction of the cost of most remodeling projects, using 3D technology to preview the end product is one of the smartest financial investment a homeowner can make.