Brian Farrimond

Information rich temporal virtual models using X3D

This paper explores the use of eXtensible Mark-up Language (XML) technologies, including eXtensible three-Dimensions (X3D), Scene Application Interface (SAI), eXtensible path (Xpath) and eXtensible Stylesheet Language (XSL) to display and manipulate a model along with associated temporal data. X3D, which is the new standard for the display of three-dimensional models over the World Wide Web, offers significant improvements for real-time client-side manipulation over other methods available for use on the Internet. These improvements are due to X3D being an application of XML. Real-time client side manipulation and display of a model and associated textual information through use of a Web Browser and Plugin is demonstrated. A single file is employed to contain all data related to how the structure has evolved and developed over time. This allows the user to view and explore the model in different states (times) and to read relevant historical textural information.

Compiling 3D models of European heritage from user domain XML

Europe has a unique heritage and culture that is largely hidden from its young people. New information and communication technologies present an opportunity to involve the young people of Europe in discovering this heritage and presenting it to others in an exciting, dynamic way. This paper describes early work on the INHERIT project which involves the development of a set of tools, data and structures to build and manage historical and three-dimensional models. This enables school and college students to share in creating and exploring distributed simulations of dynamic aspects of history, geography, economics, politics and other subjects closely associated with European citizenship. With the tools developed, it is envisaged that school pupils are able to add, for example, landscape, buildings, avatars and a range of other objects, to a virtual world that models the heritage of Europe. The tools are based upon XML technologies to structure and distribute data and X3D or VRML to display that three-dimensional data.

Interactive Web Visualisation of Proposals for Site Developments

X3D (eXtensible 3 Dimensions), the international standard for Web 3D, offers opportunities for the dynamic display and interoperability of data over the World Wide Web. One potential application relates to the process of urban planning in which applications are required to be made readily available for public comment. Relevant information is typically presented in the form of site plans and a limited number of architectural drawings that can be difficult for the general public to fully comprehend. Web3D models of proposals in the context of the site and viewed from different directions have the potential to provide the general public and the planning authority with a better understanding of the visual impact of the proposals. This paper, through a case study of a proposed residential development, demonstrates the use of standard Web browser as a GUI (graphical user interface) to control the display of a 3D model. The interactive, client side, visualization is achieved using AJAX (asynchronous JavaScript and XML).

Making History Happen: Spatiotemporal Data Visualization for Historians

Historians work with complex spatio-temporal data to create narrative accounts of historical developments. Historical sources are complex and diverse. They are often incomplete and contradictory and are drawn from many disciplines. The historian has the task of analyzing all the available evidence before synthesizing and re-presenting the data to create and interpret narratives which might account for what happened and to whom, when it happened and why. In this paper, a proof of concept implementation of TimeMaps is presented. TimeMaps give historians an easily learned tool that will both aid the analysis of, and provide an effective means of visualizing, lexical spatio-temporal narratives. Using a temporal database structure, existing geospatial data sources, Java, XML and a natural language data capture mechanism, TimeMaps allow historians to use their narrative skills to create visualizations of spatiotemporal data.

Embodying and Extracting Data in Web3D Models of Proposed Building Developments

As an application of XML (extensible markup language), X3D (extensible 3 Dimensions), offers opportunities for the embodiment, extraction, processing and display of data from 3D models of architectural proposals presented over the WWW. Client side manipulation of XML data using AJAX (asynchronous Javascript and XML), can be employed to provide contextual information about the project. In the context of urban planning the visualization of a proposal by means of a 3D model will not provide all information required by planning officials. Additional data, such as maximum height, the percentage of the site developed and building materials, are required. Relevant numerical data exist within an X3D model, but are not in the required form and techniques are described for its extraction. Descriptive information regarding the development can also be embedded into the model and techniques for this and its extraction and display are also described. The techniques are illustrated by means of a case study. Conclusions are drawn as to how the method could be applied to a large scale project.

Using 3D to visualise temporal data

Dynamic 3D models generated from historical, time stamped data provide opportunities for insights and understanding that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to gain in applications as diverse as the teaching and learning of history and the analysis of aerospace experiments. This paper describes how historical data in a temporal database can be used to generate dynamic 3D models expressed in VRML. The models include facilities to move back and forth in time, to hide or reveal groups of objects and their labels and to show the paths traced by individual objects as they move through space and time. The change of shape of objects over time can also be modelled. The tools described in this paper enable the user to create these 3D worlds automatically without needing to know anything about the underlying 3D modelling language employed.

Towards a many-core architecture for HPC

Many-core architectures are a current avenue of research, seeking alternative higher efficiency computing, and HPC is one domain which may benefit most from such a model. While at an initial prototyping stage we present here the design of a MIMD many-core processor, Fynbos and, considering the problems of programmability, an autoparallelising Fortran pipeline. Our initial operating results demonstrate functionality, and the effectiveness of the compiler as the system efficiency increases with problem size in a test case multi-body simulation. The test case also serves to highlight system weaknesses. We conclude that the demonstration offers sufficient motivation for the future work discussed.

Developing a Parametric Approach for 3D Modelling Software

The creation of 3D models is generally considered by newcomers to be a difficult activity requiring a number of skills and considerable practice. This paper describes work in the INHERIT project which aims to address these issues by providing a 3D modelling tool set which is easy to use, requiring few skills and little practice. This is achieved by the development of software tools which are customised to build particular types of model. The key aspect of these tools is the treatment of the underlying data of the 3D model as a tree structure of nodes which consist of parameterised representations of the components of the object being modelled. The tools then automatically generate the graphics primitives that enable the visualisation and interaction with the object. This paper describes the implementation of the first tool created following this principle which enables school children to model church structures

The Application of X3D to the Interactive Learning of Wave Optics

Advances in Internet connections speeds and computer hardware means that web content has grown richer and more interactive for users. One such area is Web3D which has seen the emergence of ISO standard technologies such as VRML (Virtual Reality Modeling Language) and its XML-based (eXtensible Markup Language) successor X3D(eXtensible 3D). X3D, in particular, presents opportunities for further integration with existing web technologies for the extraction and display of meaningful data from 3D models. With the popularity of e-learning increasing among academic and training institutions, the use of Web3D content presents an opportunity to enhance learning for visually demanding subjects such as scientific disciplines.This paper applies this thinking to simulate a fundamental Physics topic with X3D and apply AJAX3D (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML) techniques to develop an integrated web learning application.

Kiddy CAD: A Child Friendly Parametric Approach for 3D Modeling Software

D models are increasingly used to visualize objects for presentation in schools. Children are sophisticated consumers of 3D worlds and engaging creatively with ICT in the classroom is recognized as beneficial to developing multiple intelligences in children. Historically, the creation of 3D models by children has, however, been considered too difficult a process to master. This paper describes the development of a CAD tool, Church Builder, designed for use by children, which is fast, fun and easy to learn and has minimal system requirements. The tool treats the underlying data of the 3D models as a tree structure of nodes, consisting of parameterized representations of the components of the objects being modeled. The tool automatically generates graphics primitives that enable the visualization of and interaction with the object, allowing children to rapidly build sophisticated model church structures.