How to Create 3D Anaglyphs with Autodesk LandXplorer

In a previous post, I discussed the importance of visualization as part of the BIM process. I also provided several examples of visualization in action including this short 3D anaglyph video of a water treatment plant. Most of the videos referenced in my post though were pre-rendered with some of the animations requiring hours of computer processing power to create.

However, instead of pre-rendering your BIM models, another option is to create your 3D anaglyph in real time. This type of stereoscopic rendering is possible via the Stereo Mode option in Autodesk LandXplorer. You can setup Stereo Mode for use with 3D anaglyph glasses (ie the type with the red/cyan lenses). Stereo Mode also supports 3D shutter glasses if your graphics hardware supports such functionality.

To enable Stereo Mode and create a 3D anaglyph, do one of the following:

• Click the Tools menu and then select the Stereo Mode option
• Use the keyboard shortcut: Ctrl+Shift+S
• Enable Stereo from the Stereo Viewing toolbar

Note that you can adjust the setting for your eye distance in the edit field of the Stereo Viewing toolbar so that you can achieve results that generate the best 3D effect for you. The default value = 1.0.

So, grab your 3D glasses and hang on tight as you visualize your BIM models while flying through your cityscape in 3D with Autodesk LandXplorer.

Visualization and BIM: A Powerful Combination

Explore, validate and communicate model based designs before they’re real.

Proposed transportation networks, above and below ground infrastructure, neighborhood developments and other major municipal projects are often subjected to great scrutiny. Being able to use model based designs to generate high quality visualizations can help engineers, architects and others improve stakeholder communications, better convey design intent and expedite approvals.

As discussed in a previous post, Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a process that leverages model based designs throughout the entire municipal lifecycle. Visualizations are an important part of that process. Accurate, photo realistic renderings, as well as, drive-through, fly-over and animated simulations can be used to explore design options clearly and accurately, validate designs and detect errors before construction.

For example, check out the Alaskan Way Viaduct animation as released by the Washington State Department of Transportation. The video shows the drive-through experience after proposed changes to this major Seattle transportation corridor have been completed. In addition to communicating design intent, this type of visualization helps validate the design. Note proposed lane configurations, exit ramps, and tunnel lighting. Also, note the potential impact of buildings, signs, barriers and other visual obstructions on sightlines.

Visualizations are also useful in clash detection scenarios where the individual design elements of a BIM model are checked for interference with one another. Identifying and documenting clash related problems prior to construction can significantly reduce construction costs by reducing the number of RFIs and change orders during construction. For example, this video posted by CivilFromTheGroundUp shows how clash detection can be used to identify the clash between an underground utility and the surface of a roadway.

Construction sequencing which is demonstrated in this video is another useful type of visualization that aims to show how a design will be built over time and can be used to help coordinate multidiscipline construction projects.

Furthermore, BIM models can be used to create 3D visualizations to enhance the experience of a project before its real. With 3D movies such as “Avatar” and the release of 3D televisions, the importance of a 3D experience as it relates to design will undoubtedly increase. For example, check out this stereoscopic anaglyph animation of a water treatment facility. This video was created using Autodesk 3DS Max by my colleague Louis Marcoux. You will of course need special glasses to view the 3D effect. Get the glasses with the red/cyan lenses.



In summary, visualizations and BIM are a powerful combination that can have a profound positive impact on your business:

• Become more competitive
• Win more RFPs
• Identify the best design alternatives
• Accurately convey design intent
• Improve public and stakeholder communication
• Reduce construction costs
• Improve coordination of multidiscipline teams

Cadalyst Article on How to Work with Point Clouds

Here's a short post on my latest Cadalyst article. This article focuses on one of my favorite new features in AutoCAD Map 3D 2011: the new point cloud tools for viewing, querying and analyzing 3D laser scanning and LiDAR data sets. I have also posted a video to accompany the article.

Please be sure to check out both the article and the video.

BIM Expanded

This year, I will have had the pleasure of attending several conferences outside of my usual engineering and geospatial interests to include architecture and IT focused events such as:

• MISA Prairies, Spring Conference, April 28 – 30, 2010
• Ontario Association of Architects Conference, May 5-8, 2010
• Royal Architecture Institute of Canada Conference, June 23-28, 2010

What is especially compelling about these events is the opportunity for me to engage participants on the expanded definition of Building Information Modeling (BIM) beyond the traditional architectural focus. One example of this expanded definition for BIM is this article in Green Building Community by Terry Bennett which discusses BIM from a civil engineering perspective.

Another example is BIM for Sustainable Cities which combines model based design from architectural and engineering design perspectives to include the integrated processes that are built on coordinated, consistent information about the municipal developments, infrastructure and related assets.

A BIM for Sustainable Cities plan is part of a 3D digital cities initiative and depends on the convergence of CAD, GIS and BIM and the integration of…

• Modeling and Design
• Surveying & Data Collection
• Planning, Site Selection & Conceptual Design
• Clash Detection, Simulation and Analysis
• Visualization
• Multidiscipline Coordination
• Construction & Construction Management
• Operation and Maintenance

With a BIM for Sustainable Cities plan, municipalities are better able to:

• Coordinate with architects, engineers, contractors and others
• Better share digital design information, geospatial data, infrastructure models and other documentation among staff and project stakeholders
• Use that information to accurately predict performance, appearance and cost
• Reliably deliver municipal projects faster, more economically and with reduced environmental impact
• Leverage model-based design information for operation and maintenance

BIM for Sustainable Cities embraces the entire municipal development lifecycle. This expanded view of BIM gives local governments, planners, engineers, architects, contractors and others an opportunity to take a more active role in neighborhood development and infrastructure projects that are planned, designed, built and managed in greener more sustainable ways.

Cadalyst Article on CAD Queries with AutoCAD Map 3D

Here's a short post on my third Cadalyst article. This article focuses on how to query your AutoCAD drawings with AutoCAD Map 3D. I have also posted a video to accompany the article.

Please be sure to check out both the article and the video.

How to Unlock the Data in your CAD Drawings

Are you using AutoCAD to help plan and manage your infrastructure network? Are you wondering how you can access and better use the information in your AutoCAD drawings? Do you want to be able to analyze your AutoCAD drawings, generate material lists and reports, or reveal new patterns in the data? If so, there is a way with AutoCAD Map 3D – the better AutoCAD for working with your infrastructure data.

With AutoCAD Map 3D you can query your AutoCAD drawings in much the same way that a spreadsheet or database can be queried. For example, with AutoCAD Map 3D, you can query by CAD properties such as color and layer, as well as, by location.

Consider a scenario in which a water utility or municipality is reviewing their watermain replacement program. Cast iron watermains are considered a priority. The AutoCAD drawing containing information about the watermain network must be analyzed to determine the location of the cast iron watermains, as well as, their corresponding lengths and diameters.

To see how this type of analysis can be done, please review the following short video which demonstrates the use of CAD queries in AutoCAD Map 3D.

How to Add the AutoCAD Menu to AutoCAD Map 3D

AutoCAD Map 3D is built on AutoCAD technology. This powerful combination gives you access to robust AutoCAD design tools for accurately and efficiently creating and maintaining CAD drawings, as well as, geospatial data. However, if you are an AutoCAD user wanting to use AutoCAD Map 3D to access the familiar AutoCAD specific menu commands, toolbars and ribbons, you may be scratching your head trying to find them.

Well, the key is to use workspaces. In AutoCAD and AutoCAD Map 3D, your work environment includes menus, toolbars, ribbons and how they are arranged. Your work environment is saved in a workspace. You can configure a workspace to look and function the way you want and create different workspaces for various tasks. For example, you can setup one workspace for using AutoCAD Map 3D commands and another workspace for using AutoCAD commands.

Here’s how to add the AutoCAD 2010 workspaces to AutoCAD Map 3D 2010.

1. Enter CUI at the command prompt to reveal the Customize User interface dialog.
2. In the Customize User Interface dialog box, click on the Transfer tab.
3. On the Transfer tab, under Customizations in New CUI File, click the Open customization file icon.
4. Navigate to the folder containing the file named acad.cuix. For example, in Windows XP the folder is:

C:\Documents and Settings\\application data\autodesk\autocad map 3d 2010\r18.0\enu\support\

5. Select the file named acad.cuix.
6. Expand Workspaces in both the left and right panes
7. Drag the AutoCAD workspaces from the right pane onto the AutoCAD Map 3D Workspaces in the left pane.
8. Click the save icon to save your changes.
9. Click Apply.
10. Click OK.

Click here for a brief video demonstration of the steps outlined above.