Augmented Reality Plug-in for Google Sketch-Up released

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

MALAISE · 28 Dec 2008, 11:43

Waw, I'm just voiceless for such a fast reply. Thanks for playing attention to my feedback.

The last test I've made: a hollowed cube with a glass face. I noticed the transparency disapears when exporting. I guess this is probably linked to texture, perhaps some parameter could be modified.

Some of my models are customers labs, and in order to preview how machines could fit, I draw the room (3D)and doors and windows...

Best regards
MALAISE

Francesco-inglobe · 28 Dec 2008, 13:14

Hi Malaise,
I'm Francesco and I work for the web area of Inglobe Technologies.
I do not speak English very well so I apologize in advance for any error.
However I think I can help you.

@malaise said:

The last test I've made: a hollowed cube with a glass face. I noticed the transparency disapears when exporting.

Assigning the material on both sides of the glass, the transparency should work.

Best regards
Francesco

pav_3j · 30 Dec 2008, 16:39

This is a real stunning piece of software, i am very impressed!

I suspect this has already been asked and has gone right over my head, if so i apologise.

I have to make a "fly-by" video for a uni project soon, could I make a video on site with the coded paper already on site and then use this program to implement the model onto it?
I'm really struggling to find a way of doing this convincingly, and this looks like a viable answer.

Pav

MALAISE · 30 Dec 2008, 21:21

Hi Francesco,

Despite,several trials I did'nt achieved to display transparent objects. I even made a non texturized
transparent color ,applied it on both faces as you suggest : no improvement. Well, i will survive .

Can we use the Plugin offline ? ( I mean the licensed version without been connected to the web ).

Best regards

MALAISE

Graziano Terenzi · 31 Dec 2008, 11:35

Hi Malaise, Hi Pav

To Malaise:
we are working to fix up minor transparecy issues. Of course we will upload newly updated versions when available. We recommend you always to download the latest version available.

With regards to offline use

@malaise said:

Can we use the Plugin offline ? ( I mean the licensed version without been connected to the web ). MALAISE

of course you can use it also when you are not connected to internet.

To Pav:

@pav_3j said:

I have to make a "fly-by" video for a uni project soon, could I make a video on site with the coded paper already on site and then use this program to implement the model onto it?
Pav

It seems that you would like to provide a previously recorded video as input to the plugin and then use it to display augmented content. Even if this function is fully supported by our ARmedia framework, we have not yet implemented it in the first version of this ARmedia plugin. It will be available in very short time. Most of all main improvements will be available soon with no additional cost to those who already have bought a license.

Last, I want to inform you that both a studentand an educational license will be released within the beginning of the new year.

Best regards and Happy New Year

Graziano

MALAISE · 1 Jan 2009, 18:06

Best wishes for 2009

Some feedback about licensed version. I displayed some model with ARPlugin, depending on, you 're connected or not, you get the unlimited one or the 30 s of the trial version with watermark. I wanted to show some friends this amazing tool, then I took my laptop outside, not linked to internet.The ARplugin worked on trial mode only, no chance to activate the license. I was told ID not recognized. Back home, all is well running, as far as you don't disconnect the Internet plug, then the next calculation switches ARplugin into trial mode.

I hope theses comments may help you

MALAISE

pav_3j · 1 Jan 2009, 23:50

cheers for the info inglobe!

i shall wait upon the updates....he he

Pav

Graziano Terenzi · 2 Jan 2009, 09:13

Hi Malaise,

thank you for your precious feedback. Actually there is a little problem with the licensing mechanism in very exceptional cases. It seems that your situation belongs to that small set. However we are fixing this too and we will upload a fixed version very soon.
Regards

Graziano

Jim · 4 Jan 2009, 00:23

Just a weird thought..

Instead of putting the model in the hands (or on the table, etc), is it possible to put ones self inside a model? Or maybe in front of a model? So if giving a presentation on a very large screen, for example a house model could be projected at actual size.

Maybe movements of the model could be pre-programmed, or controlled using some hand gestures, or something.

edit: Then he realized this could be done using straight Sketchup and a projector...