We have been running a series of experiments recently looking at crowd simulation, dynamics and particles in 3D Max. The aim is to visualise the complex systems that make up the city within an environment that allows both clear and easy visualisation and export capabilities to other packages such as Crysis or Google Earth.
While 3D Max is of use for crowd and particle simulation when it comes to modelling complex systems an external package is required, such as NetLogo. The movie below details our first steps here at CASA to export a basic traffic model from NetLogo into 3D Studio Max. The import script was written by our new PhD student, Ateen Patel and opens up a vast array of opportunities to both visualise and model the city.
NetLogo to 3D Max – Proof of Concept from digitalurban on Vimeo.
Music by The Tedd-Z Cookbook, Aerodrome (Funky Shuffle Remix)
NetLogo is a cross-platform multi-agent programmable modeling environment that is widely. It is particularly well suited for modeling complex systems developing over time. Modelers can give instructions to hundreds or thousands of independent “agents” all operating concurrently. This makes it possible to explore the connection between the micro-level behavior of individuals and the macro-level patterns that emerge from the interaction of many individuals.(Nation Master Encyclopedia)
We will have more posts on complex systems and visualising the city over the coming weeks and months.
See http://gisagents.blogspot.com/ for more on modelling, agents and the city.