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Virtual
Manhattan
To
pique the interest of web developers in VRML technology, the New York
VRML SIG created models of some of Manhattan's architectural landmarks.
You can see my model of the Saint Mark's Church at http://nyvrmlsig.com.
In 1998, I was interviewed by well known author, Mary Jo Fahey, for a How Magazine, step-by-step, article on how I made the VRML model using software available on the Macintosh computer. The majority of VRML models are created on PCs.
Saint
Mark's Church VRML Model
First
I took Polaroid snapshots of the church to use as reference, then I created
line-art for each unique building piece in Adobe Illustrator. These pieces
would later be imported, extruded and rotated in Ray Dream 3D.
VRML
Techniques
The
2D pieces were extruded using Ray Dream's Free Form modeling tool. Once
extruded, individual 3D object get sent to the programs 3D work area where
they are rotated and assembled to form a complete model.
A
Mac VRML Model
"Shaders"
contain custom colors or textures that can be mapped onto models to enhance
realism. I scanned a portion of the church's brick exterior and turned
it into a repeating tile using the seamless welder filter in Kais Power
Tools.
Step-by-step
Textures
are used sparingly in VRML models since they can significantly increase
the file size. 3D programs can write WRL files that allow users to create
VRML files and view them on the Internet. WRL files may be added to HTML
documents with <EMBED>.
Macintosh
Cosmo Browser
Model geometry can be exported for viewing in
a VRML capable browser where viewers
use the control panels at the base of the browser to "fly" or
"walk" through a model.
See this and other 3D models on the NY VRML SIG site at http://nyvrmlsig.com.
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