Augmented Reality Plug-in for Google Sketch-Up released

Mike Lucey · 22 Dec 2008, 16:01

Hi Guys,

I have yet to try out the great plug-in. I have been thinking about exactly what it is and I suppose the name, Augmented Reality, pretty much discribes the product. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augmented_reality

I imagine 'Virtual' Prototyping might be another way of describing the product? Then again 'Prototyping' doesn't mean a lot to non tech people in general.

Now don't laugh ..... PLEASE!!!! I think it should be called Magic Model! I can imagine showing a client / customer, with NO CLUE about this stuff, a video of the model JUST APPEARING after I utter the words Abracadabra or Hocus Pokus! It could be fun

Mike

thomthom · 22 Dec 2008, 16:10

Just had a little play around. Worked quite well. Just had to play around with the position of the camera and the lighting in the room in order to make it work smoothly.

Chris Fullmer · 22 Dec 2008, 18:44

Mike, if you have a webcam plugged in and working, you seriously have to try this plugin. Its VERY easy to install and get working. And its just a single click of a button that starts the thing inside of SketchUp. Its quite normally.

Except on my in-laws computer where I'm on vacation for a while. I installed it here and it all went just fine, but when I tried to run it the first time, it asked me to select a video input device. And it had a list of 2. But I've only got 1 installed. The 2nd one was something like ATI unified stream or something. I really don't rememebr exactly what it said. Anyhow, from the list I selected the quickcam, but it just shows a black screen when the plugin is running. Even the quickcam works great, we use it for videoconferencing. So I'm wondering how to get back to selecting the video input device so I can see exactly what it thinks is installe so maybe I can track it down and disable it. Any ideas how to do that? I'd love to show this to my inlaws. They are doing lots of interior decorating and I could show them some alternatives for fun. Thanks in advance Graziano! This really is a cool plugin,

Chris

Mike Lucey · 22 Dec 2008, 19:03

Chris,

My initial problem is that I have to swing over the Bootcamp on the Mac and get things up and running. It no big deal really just a nuisance. Still, I'm looking forward to giving it a bash.

I will have a think about the problem you mention and if I come up with anything I will post. Again, I am sure somebody will pipe up soon with advise.

Mike

Mike Lucey · 22 Dec 2008, 19:11

Guys,

I wonder if this plug-in could be leveraged to create a movie of a building plot with an SU model in-situ. I have looked at various ways of doing this but it involved expensive complex applications AND a LOT of skills which I don't have presently.

Here is the scenario,

Rig up a video camera for making an moving video. I have information on how to make low cost devices that will keep the 'path' of the video camera 'smooth'!
Walk or drive past a plot of land that is to be the site of a new building that I am designing and make a video.
What I have in mind and investigated is a way (simple) to place the SketchUp model on the video.

This would make this plug-in invaluable when it comes to 'selling' the idea to the Planning Authorities.

Now, this would be a Magic Model

Mike

linea · 22 Dec 2008, 19:53

Mike that is a great idea, it takes the possibilities for this plug in to another level.

Mike Lucey · 23 Dec 2008, 03:43

Hopefully Graziano will be able to let us know if there is any chance of this Plug-In being able to do this

Chris Fullmer · 23 Dec 2008, 05:05

I think the power of this plugin is the ability to work in real time. So no smooth cameras and pre-shooting required. the idea scenario would be to have an empty lot. Put up a big flat wall in the back. Then fix the marker onto it. Then take your client to the site and in real time show them their new building on the site and be able to walkaround portions of it.

This qould require being able to control the scale of the model as it is placed in the video stream though. Definitely do-able in future version I would image?

Chris

ps - still no luck on my own fixing the problem. I remain optimistic though.

Ross Macintosh · 23 Dec 2008, 11:20

I've only looked through a small number of youtube videos re augmented reality so my idea might have already been tried -- I don't know...

The idea:
Using multiple referencing 'cards' (I don't know what they are called - but I mean the things the camera see's), imagine clothes made out of them -- so when on camera you are wearing a composite 3d construction. To make this work it would seem the plugin would need to be able to assign different components to different cards. Is that possible now? -- It could turn sketchup artists into virtual fashion designers.

To Chris Glasier -- Your 'Nameset' plugin videos are looking really interestng! Some time ago, When you first wrote about what you were creating I found the ideas very confusing. The videos give me a better understanding of its potential. It seems your postings in this thread are getting lost. It would definitely be cool if your approach to animation (as shown in your video examples) would work while the model was presented as an augmented reality. I can imagine some of the cool effects that would be possible.

Regards, Ross

Ross Macintosh · 23 Dec 2008, 11:31

Another idea:
Imagine creating a Layout presentation of your new design. You meet in the boardroom with the clients to show them a series of printed out & foamcore-mounted Layout-created panels. It's pretty much a traditional presentation. Most of the panels have the usual model views, plans & elevations. But one features the reference graphic for the augmented reality plugin.

You present each panel in succession getting to the one with the reference graphic last. You turn on a monitor in the room and presto the clients will see the model 'attached' to the panel. The camera would have been 'live' through the whole presentation but you'd keep the monitor off until you wanted to display the model.

Regards, Ross

Graziano Terenzi · 23 Dec 2008, 12:06

@chris fullmer said:

I installed it here and it all went just fine, but when I tried to run it the first time, it asked me to select a video input device. And it had a list of 2. But I've only got 1 installed. The 2nd one was something like ATI unified stream or something. I really don't rememebr exactly what it said. Anyhow, from the list I selected the quickcam, but it just shows a black screen when the plugin is running.

Hi Chris, we had an issue regarding environments with multiple-video devices (being them real or 'fake') but we just solved it and we're going to upload a new plugin version just today (or tomorrow) after some tests anyway.

The new updated version will popup a different selection dialog box if more than 1 device is found, and then run the plugin with the correct selection (although we cannot still avoid 'fakes' to appear in the list).

BTW, starting from the next update, just near the download link we will add the date of the last upload, so that you can understand if there is something new or not. Later we're going to add also a list of features added or that we're going to add soon.

Regards.
Graziano

chrisglasier · 24 Dec 2008, 01:35

@ross macintosh said:

... It seems your postings in this thread are getting lost. It would definitely be cool if your approach to animation (as shown in your video examples) would work while the model was presented as an augmented reality.

Thanks Ross. Yes I know that my postings get lost here, but really they are only preliminary bits of a comprehensive presentation I want to post early next year. In a seize the moment moment I was excited to find out whether in principle a model could work as you say. My basic idea is to embed objective based applications into everyday life. For example, I like to think an architect's objective is the creation of a building not the creation of a set of drawings. In this case the shorter the route (using Namesets, SU models and perhaps AR) to assemble, analyse and communicate the proposed reality the better.

Seasons greetings!

Chris

Chris Fullmer · 24 Dec 2008, 04:15

All right, it is all fixed! Thanks for the help. I re-downloaded, disabled what might have been the interefering driver and tried it all again - for about the 10th time. And finally it worked, so I am guessing it was the update. A big thanks. Now I can show my inlaws, thanks again,,

Chris

MALAISE · 25 Dec 2008, 08:51

Thanks a lot, Graziano for your advices. I effectively, had at least 3 or 4 Cam drivers. I have downloaded the last release you've just send and now it works very fine.I post a small sample.

Merry Christmas

Please : Could you tell us how to get licence easily, because some item of the registration way seem to be
difficult to fill for private user ( VAT.. ) Is there any other solution to pay on line ? ( Paypal for instance..)

Graziano Terenzi · 25 Dec 2008, 17:49

Hi all,
this is the first post in christmas day i've ever done. Merry Christmas!

Let me remark that this topic is taking many directions each of which deserves special attention. Malaise posted a first pic made by using ARplugin....this looks great.

First of all, for what concerns licensing issues

@unknownuser said:

Please : Could you tell us how to get licence easily, because some item of the registration way seem to be
difficult to fill for private user ( VAT.. ) Is there any other solution to pay on line ? ( Paypal for instance..)

actually we are using a simple paypal procedure. After compiling the first form you will be able to make a paypal transaction. We have only been asking fiscal data (be it a private users or a company) for billing details. However we are going to simplify the first form soon.

Second, I've read about ideas on how to use ARplugin to illustrate projects, especially by Mike and Chris. Everything is very interesting, but the point made by Chris explains clearly and in a very simple way how ARplugin could be employed to see how a 3D model would appear when located in the real place.

Third, another recurring topic concerns the option to create a player to be used by clients independently of the designer. We are going to upgrade the plugin with this functionality, in such a way as to give the opportunity to create a separate executable.

Merry Christmas

Graziano

Graziano Terenzi · 25 Dec 2008, 18:04

We have simplified the online payment procedure: now we ask only for a valid email account, your name+surname (or company name) and then you can go on with a standard paypal transaction.

Best regards.
Graziano.

MALAISE · 25 Dec 2008, 19:09

Thanks Graziano, the key licencing procedure is quite easier than the former one. I've purchased a licence, now just waiting confirmation e-mail.

An other Xmas gift :

MALAISE

Graziano Terenzi · 27 Dec 2008, 15:05

Thank you for this other gift, Malaise!
Keep us informed with your use of ARplugin.

Graziano

MALAISE · 27 Dec 2008, 17:15

Really quite interesting plugin.
I've solve the scaling problem printing a smaller marker ( 1/2 and 1/4).
I can now display on that way, objects without resizing them before exporting.
Are some enhancements in study to associate as I rode ( Ross, Chris and Mike)
different skp files with separate markers and also as it's shown in Inglobe's Galerie ?
How could we manage the shadows created in SketchUp ?
Possibilities of animations like the " Mars's satellites " may extend plugin's use.
I 'm going to use this fantastic tool for teaching and explain mecanisms

MALAISE

cristal.swf

Graziano Terenzi · 28 Dec 2008, 10:22

Hi MALAISE,
I'm glad for your appreciations...

@malaise said:

Really quite interesting plugin.
I've solve the scaling problem printing a smaller marker ( 1/2 and 1/4).
I can now display on that way, objects without resizing them before exporting.

Yes, of course your trick is a good workaround to the scaling problem, anyway we're going to add a feature to scale up/down the model by pressing a key (of course this update will be availabe to everyone, even to already registered users...just re-donwload the updated version when it will be ready)

@malaise said:

Are some enhancements in study to associate as I rode ( Ross, Chris and Mike)different skp files with separate markers and also as it's shown in Inglobe's Galerie ?

We'll add the possibility to use many markers with different objects, but we're studying the best way to do it in SketchUp, for example one way could be to associate different 'scenes' to different markers and not only different .skp files to different markers, so...stay tuned

@malaise said:

How could we manage the shadows created in SketchUp ?

Shadows (and shaders in general) is a topic that deserves investigation. For sure shaders will be implemented in the plugin.

@malaise said:

Possibilities of animations like the " Mars's satellites " may extend plugin's use.

Adding animations is one of our next goal, our AR-media framework already manages animations and many user's interactions tasks, we just need to understand the best way to port every framework's features in the plugin as well.

@malaise said:

I 'm going to use this fantastic tool for teaching and explain mecanisms
MALAISE

Great Please let us know about how your teaching activities will proceed and about your suggestions and also about students ones.

Best regards.
Graziano