Positioning VirtuoCity

VirtuoCity allows the user to walk through computer models with several people at the same time via a broadband Internet connection and using a 'regular computer'. VirtuoCity uses a client-server structure with central servers and a small plug-in that will be installed in your web browser. This makes it easy to keep the model up to date. Therefore people will more often tempted to visit the site again. All kinds of media can be linked to objects in the virtual world; hyperlinks, a forum, audio, video, pictures etc. With our VirtuoCity technology we move from visualizing to actually communicating.

Some of VirtuoCity's key characteristics are: 3d models are exported from 3dStudioMax to VirtuoCity. 3dStudio is one of the, if not the, most used 3d applications. This means that most likely your 'old' 3D models can be re-used. The VirtuoCity server runs on Windows and Linux. The server running the 3D content can run on both operating systems. The web server normally consists of Apache, MySql and PHP. These run on both Windows and Linux. Several VirtuoCity modules (chat, livemap, voting mechanism etc) are developed with these components. Dynamic behaviour can be added to the virtual world with Python scripting. The virtual worlds can be visited using Internet Explorer. A small VirtuoCity plugin will only be installed in your webbrowser the first time you enter a VirtuoCity world. A regular computer is sufficient to visit the virtual worlds. You will only receive the data that's actually visible at your current location in the 3D world lowering the threshold. No high-end computer is needed.

A project using VirtuoCity usually consists of the following steps:

We start with making the 3D models of the new designs and its surroundings. We adhere to strict quality requirements, ensuring that the model can be distributed over the Internet and reaching the largest audience.

The 3D models of the new designs are integrated into a model of the existing context to get a proper, and recognizable view, of the whole situation. For this process we use (digital) drawings of the designs, an extended city plan and, if available, 360° panoramic pictures.

If needed, objects in the virtual world will be linked to documents, websites, audio samples, pictures, video or web cams on the actual construction loft. New media can be easily added. The virtual world is a new way to get to the most up to date information.

Users can communicate with other users in the chat. It has been shown that users appreciate this and use it very much. It has also been used by aldermen to chat with citizens about new developments in the virtual world.

Users can give their opinion about parts of the new designs in the different forum topics. It's an excellent way to gather all kinds of input, store it and use it in the decision making process.

Most often we add a bit of 'life' to the virtual world by adding moving objects like people, cars, trains etc. It's possible to add a guided tour even including audio to explain elements of the new designs. Case studies and opinion polls can be added as well.

The final part is to put the 3d models and all the information on the Internet using our VirtuoCity technology. In most cases Cebra does the hosting of the website.

Using a broadband Internet connection, many people at the same time can visit the virtual world, exchange information and communicate in the chat. All they need is a regular computer.

Users who are interested will come back often because they know the site is updated regularly and because it's fun!