Augmented Reality Plug-in for Google Sketch-Up released

[inglobe]

Hi all,
we have released a new Plug-in for Google Sketch-Up based on our Augmented Reality platform, ARmedia. The platform allows users to mix both real and digital content in a completely new way. With ARplug-in, Google Sketch-Up users are allowed to visualize their 3D models directly in the real physical space which sorrounds them. In a very precise sense, through ARplug-in, Sketch-Up 3D models can be visualized out of the digital workspace directly on users’ desktop, by connecting a simple webcam and by printing a suitable code.
The Plug-in provides users with an advanced visualization functionality which serves two main purposes:
1) study and analize scaled virtual prototypes in real environments;
2) communicate 3D projects immersively and astonishingly.
All you need to make ARplug-in work is a personal computer, a webcam and a printed code attached to the software. A demo of the Plug-in is freely available on the website of Inglobe Technologies, http://www.inglobetechnologies.com/en/products/arplugin_su/info.php.


You can also check our YouTube Channel for further video resources
http://www.youtube.com/inglobe

Regards
Graziano
Inglobe Technologies

[solo]

Graziano

I have no professional need for your product but nevertheless I took a look at your website. I was blown away with the video of the office building, I am trying to get my head around this one, is the paper that the guys is moving around the pivot point where the exported model is somehow mapped?

Looks like a great product, I wish I had a reason to play with it.

[inglobe]

Thank you solo,

yes, it is the paper the guy is moving. The paper contanins a printed code that is recognized and tracked by our software. What the ARPlugin does is to superimpose the 3D model on the video stream captured by the videocamera whenever it "sees" the code. And it does so in real-time and in a realistic way.

[princedragoncok]

Very cool! I have no idea how to 'print' the code though..?

[Pilou]

Amazing indeed

[linea]

There are several videos about augmented reality and software info here

http://digitalurban.blogspot.com/search ... %20Reality

also see this, wikipedia nd google are going into AR too
http://digital-lifestyles.info/2008/10/ ... d-blowing/

[inglobe]

The "code" also called the "marker" is a .pdf file that comes with the installation pack. In order to print it just pick up the "marker.pdf" file and print it as you usually print any .pdf document using a common printer.
Regards
Graziano

[•BTM]

Any mac versions out yet/ set to come out soon?

[remus]

Thats really surreal, in a good way.

[thomthom]

I couldn't get this working. Ruby console outputs:

Code: Select all

ARplugin not found!
Warning: ARPlugin not properly installed.

I specified the SU7s plugin folder and I'm running as an admin under Vista Ultimate SP1 with UAC disabled.

I have an 'arplugin.rb' file in my plugin folder, and a 'arplugin' folder containing two pngs for the toolbar.

[JClements]

Another reason for SketchUp to develop some core animation tools.

This could be a one heck of a training application.

[Jim]

I just installed and tried the demo. It worked fairly well. You basically print out the marker and then start the plugin.

When I activate the plugin, my webcam is activated and a live video is shown. When the plugin recognizes the printed marker in the live video, the model is projected real-time onto the marker. Moving the marker moves the model, etc. Pretty cool.

I could not control the size of the video - it was full screen or nothing. For me that was bad because my old computer can't manage full-screen video without choking. Also it's impossible to take a screen capture at that size (for me) so I can't show you anything.

The model (a default-colored cube) was completely black onscreen, not sure why. There was an option to switch to wireframe mode which made things better, but sort of defeats the purpose.

Also, the cube was too large taking up most of the on screen video. Scaling the cube down in SketchUp did not make any difference to the size of the cube in the video.

The only configuration options for the plugin is the location of the SketchUp plugins folder, so I felt sort of helpless when trying to understand how it all worked and how to make the output better.

The output is limited to 30 seconds unless you purchase a license.

Great potential, but needs refinement.

[chrisglasier]

Another reason for SketchUp to develop some core animation tools.

I'm working on analytical animation that uses Sketchup.

[Chris Fullmer]

Very cool! I have no idea how to 'print' the code though..?

Yeah Prince, its in the start menu, then go to ARPlugin1.0 section. There is a folder in there for markers. The parker.pdf is located there. I'm not used to SU plugins affecting my Start menu, so it took a while for me to realize to look there for it.

Of course I have no ink in my printer, so I can't play with this till I get to a printer......

Chris

[inglobe]

Thank you Jim for your detailed review, it helps me to give some information about improvements and refinements we're already working on.

I could not control the size of the video - it was full screen or nothing. For me that was bad because my old computer can't manage full-screen video without choking. Also it's impossible to take a screen capture at that size (for me) so I can't show you anything.

The possibility to toggle full screen mode on/off will be available soon, as well as other improvments such as scaling the model depending on user needs.

The model (a default-colored cube) was completely black onscreen, not sure why. There was an option to switch to wireframe mode which made things better, but sort of defeats the purpose.

Depending on how you draw your model, sometimes you'll need
to reverse the model's faces in order to be sure that the model itself is not 'inside-out' and so look black (you can reverse faces by selecting the model, right clicking on the selection and choosing 'Reverse Faces') .

Also, the cube was too large taking up most of the on screen video. Scaling the cube down in SketchUp did not make any difference to the size of the cube in the video.

Once the model is displayed in augmented reality it is automatically scaled in such a way that it will be visible from a distance. The fixed scaling factor has been chosen considering that most times users will use the plugin with complex models (lets think about a portion of a city...) with lot of 'empties' but whose extension/extremes can be wide so making the model smaller would make it also not visible very well, even though its 'bounding box' would be completely visible.
Of course the improvement will be an adjustable scaling factor and, as stated above, we're already working on it and will be available soon.

Thank you very much again
Best Regards

Graziano