Step 1 – Exporting Project from Rhino

In order to import modeled geometry in Unity 3D, it must be exported as .obj file.  In OBJ  export window, there are certain options that must be checked. Two most important options are selection of exporting objects as meshes and mapping Rhino Z to OBJ Y. In this process I exported terrain and object as two separate files, so I could manipulate changes in Unity easily.

Step 2 – Importing Project to Unity 3D

After creating New Project with Character Controller in Unity, OBJ geometry from Rhino can be imported as New Asset. While still in Asset Folder, Generate Colliders should be assigned to terrain and any other geometry that should not allow user to go through. After this geometry can be dragged in Hierarchy along with First Person Controller, that must be positioned above the terrain.

Step 3 – Adding Materials, Light and Background

New Material can be created in Unity with use of adequate shaders and bitmaps. In Inspector windows settings for materials are available, and new images for bitmaps can be loaded if previously added as a New Asset. Light component can be added to the scene as Game Object. Settings for Light that are in Inspector consider also Shadow Type.Background can be edited in Edit – Render Settings – SkyBox. As for everything else first Skybox needs to be added in Assets with Import Package.

Step 4 – Saving the Game

After saving the current scene, game can be saved in File – Build and Run. There is option for saving game for Web Player, so users from any platform can play the game.

Step 1 – Identifying Project Site and Basic Terrain Modeling

Project location was found on Google Earth and marked with one point (containing latitude and longitude). After making Google Earth view from above as flat as possible (with typing R on keyboard) image was saved.

This JPEG image was then imported in Rhino (in meter units) with command  _Picture Frame. Image was scaled according to Google Earth scale ruler to match real world size. Making terrain from this flat surface was done using Grasshopper definition and gHowl plug-in. Basic inputs in definition were underlay surface, xyz reference points and geo reference points. Elevation values are then taken from Google with Get Elevation component.

Step 2 – Modelling Current State of Project

One part of Geometry was modeled using Grasshopper and Kangaroo plug-in in order to simulate physical behavior. This consisted of inflating balloons with air pressure and colliding them with different disposition of solid cylinders. Variations of this process were baked and then used in Rhino to model other parts of the project. Adding other parts of project mainly consisted of connecting points on these meshes to square grid of points on the ground using _Line and _Sweep command. After finishing modeling, materials were made and applied on components. For upper part image was added as color bitmap to give texture.

Step 3 – Geolocation

Same point in Rhino which is used as reference x,y,z point in process of making terrain using gHowl, was used now as _EarthAnchorPoint, with same latitude and longitude. After this command only project geometry was selected and exported as KMZ file. This file is then opened in Google Earth showing model on anchored location. Only problem that occurred is material representation that doesn’t show any transparency.

STEP 1   digitizing

Digitizing was done with 123D Catch software. Various qualities of the 3D model were obtained, due to differences in number of photographs submitted, complexity of objects geometry and time of the day. The least good results were consequence of over exposure on the material (shiny surfaces) and shadowed, hidden parts of objects. For these reasons, digitizing of the objects was done several times, but still as we were taking picture in urban environment it was impossible to completely control the light and the background, and certain lacks can be seen in 123D mesh models. Despite, all these lack nesses of the software, it was extremely useful to study the geometry of the object we want to capture and to measure it directly on 3D model.

object A

Number of photographs – 30

Problems – Because of the small thickness of main part of the object, and reflections on its surface. Lower part unsuccessful because of the similar background.

object B

Number of photographs – 28

Problems – Lower part of the object because of the same color of the element and the background.

object C

Number of photographs – 55

Problems – Hidden parts of the object, too close to the background surface.Complex surface with many small pieces blended with background as a texture.

STEP 2   rhino modeling

object A

Main part of the model was done by contouring the existing 123D mesh, converting it into Planar Surface, extruding the surface, and at the end using Fillet Edge if needed.

modeling strategy                                                                    final model

object B

This object was done similar as previous one. Only on this one some elements of solids were used and then boo leaned with other objects. Besides extruding, surfaces were made by Loft, and then turned into meshes in order to be adjusted.

final model                                                                            detail

object C

This object was modeled with surfacing tools, but in parallel comparison with some solid elements. First base geometry was constructed as tracemarks for the more complex surface assembled of many small parts.

base geometry as trademarks                                           final geometry

final model