{"id":5,"date":"2023-02-15T14:45:15","date_gmt":"2023-02-15T14:45:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.edgehill.ac.uk\/3d-parametricmodelling\/?page_id=2"},"modified":"2023-02-16T11:42:08","modified_gmt":"2023-02-16T11:42:08","slug":"sample-page","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sites.edgehill.ac.uk\/3d-parametricmodelling\/","title":{"rendered":"3D Parametric Modelling"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The 3D Parametric Modelling Project is developing software to create and employ 3D models in dynamic visualisations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is based upon the proposition that a parameterised, hierarchical modelling approach can be applied to any kind of object once its grammar and vocabulary have been established. A textual description of the object using this grammar and vocabulary can be compiled into 3D models expressed in VRML and OBJ formats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mechanistic operations such as railway and shipping movements can be visualised automatically from narratives and timetables if the operating characteristics of the railways and ships are captured in the software.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The visualisations are aimed at use in education<\/a> and heritage<\/a>. Work progresses on producing 2D and 3D visualisations of the operation of Bradshaw\u2019s Railway timetable<\/a>. The software is free to use and can be downloaded<\/a>. A Unity 3D viewer<\/a> has been created to improve the quality of the visualisations. We have published a number of papers<\/a> on the developing software. Our prototype modelling tool, Church Builder<\/a> is still used in schools. A gallery<\/a> of images and videos has been set up. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Model Builders<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Model builders have been created that enable unskilled users to create descriptions easily which can be compiled into 3D models. The image below shows an locomotive model builder creating a model of a Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway Class 1400 steam locomotive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Diagram<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The image below shows an interior view of an imagined cathedral in a cathedral model builder:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Interior<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A range of model types can be constructed as shown below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The image below shows a typical model builder system. The model builder contains an editor and a compiler. The editor is used to create a textual description of the model. The compiler converts this description into a 3D model, saved into VRML and OBJ format. The models can be exported to a model library for use in visualisations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Scenario Builder<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The models in the library can be incorporated into dynamic visualisations based on narrative or timetables.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The image below shows a narrative based railway scenario.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Narrative<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The models created with ThingBuilder<\/em> have behaviours as well as geometrical attributes. The behaviours, like the geometry, are controlled by parameters e.g. turning circle radius of a ship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The image below shows a narrative based scenario on the River Mersey at Liverpool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The image below shows the scenario builder system. A narrative is combined with the model library to produce a dynamic visualisation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Scenario<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Scenario Viewers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The scenario visualisations can be exported to a Unity 3D viewer. Any 3D environment in which:<\/p>\n\n\n\n