Architectural Interpretation of 3D Models
Using our self-describing building blocks, anyone can create 3D geometry, but creating fully realized, detailed models remains a difficult and tedious task. Our system shows how a computer might assist by automatically identifying architectural elements in a 3D model of a building, and rendering those elements in various styles, with decorative interpretations. Â Â Above at left is a physical model made from 118 blocks. Each block contains a PIC microcontroller and communicates with its neighboring blocks; a connected PC computes the geometry from connectivity information uploaded from the block structure. Below at left the same building is shown, having been automatically interpreted and rendered in a castle style.
Background & Objective: Possible applications for this technology range from creating virtual environments for game playing to architectural studies.
Technical Discussion: A rule-based system implemented in Prolog recognizes the major architectural elements in structures made from the blocks, such as the roof, walls, and corners, and then assigns materials and adds decorations in keeping with the style or theme selected by the user. Below is another example of the same castle style applied to a structure built from 560 blocks.
Technology Areas:
Off the Desktop Interaction and Display
Artificial Intelligence
Graphics
Modification Date: January 23, 2007