Seminar Reports Back Number 2008


CONFERENCESEVENTSSEMINARSSEMINAR REPORTS

Seminar Reports Back Number
2011201020092008200720062005



Up&Coming 2008 Report
The 2nd FORUM8 Design Conference
Overseas Event Report (November 2008)
VR workshop at ASU
Overseas Event Report (September, 2008)
9th UC-win/Road Conference
Overseas Event Report (July, 2008)
SEA JAPAN 2008
The 2nd Shanghai Conference
PROJECT QATAR 2008 / CeBIT2008 / Intertraffic Amsterdam2008
Transportation Research Board (TRB) 87th Annual Meeting
imagina 2008
The 6th 3DVR Simulation Contest Report
1st International VR Symposium
Indiga ITPI -Workshop Report-


 
The 2nd FORUM8 Design Conference
Overview (Up&Coming Novemer, 2008)
Presenting Diverse Subjects on Structures from Maintenance to Natural Disasters and Environment with Advanced Solutions

FORUM8 held the 2nd FORUM8 Design Conference at Tokyo Conference Center Shinagawa on September 19, 2008.

FORUM8 released a 3D analysis program for space-framed structures "UC-win/FRAME (3D)" in 2002. Following this, we held the first "UC-win/FRAME (3D) Conference" in October 2003 for the purpose of hearing opinions from the users and presenting new products and versions. Since then, the Conference took hold as an important event in autumn. It has been expanded since 2007, as the "Design Conference" held in parallel with "UC-win / UC-1 User Conference".
This year, it is planned to release "Engineer's Studio", three-dimensional analysis CAD that has been developed as our new strategic product. A developer of "Maekawa Concrete Model" that is supported by Engineer's Studio, Professor Koichi Maekawa, Dept. of Civil Engineering, the University of Tokyo gave a special lecture at the beginning of the 2nd FORUM8 Design Conference on recent subjects relating to maintenance of concrete structures.

Technology Session was held in the afternoon, consisting of 4 main areas of "Civil Engineering", "Architecture", "Design CAD", and "Hydraulic Engineering" like the last time. Lectures on the subjects set according to each area and explanation on our relevant solutions were given in 4 different rooms, followed by sessions under the individual subjects.

Simultaneous interpretation service in three languages (English, Japanese, and Chinese) was provided for some of the lectures to help audience and speakers from abroad. Moreover, TV conference system was used for participants located at Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka, Shanghai, and Seoul to take part in the sessions in the main room (Hall A).

Special lecture (Large hall) Prof. Koichi Maekawa, the University of Tokyo

Special Lecture for Design Conference
The Conference started in Hall A at 11:00 in the morning with Sponsor's Greetings by Yuji Ito, President of FORUM8.

Next, aforementioned Professor Koichi Maekawa from the University of Tokyo gave the opening special lecture on "Nonlinear analysis and maintenance of existing deteriorated RC / PC structures". Traditionally in the performance assessment of an existing structure, resistance to earthquakes has been a major element. Nowadays however, besides this it is more and more required to estimate residual strength, fatigue life, or others. Focusing on various cases that attracted attention in recent years, he explained from the perspective of numerical analysis.

First, he listed many factors causing damage and deterioration in concrete bridges, mentioning necessity of repair according to the patterns of damage.

Specific examples he listed included: 1) earthquake-proof repair conducted for the pier with few problems of deterioration of steel; 2) verification of earthquake resistance performance on the case of a railway bridge completed over 100years before, to which seismic retrofit was applied by now after suffering damage due to uneven settlement; 3) verification of earthquake resistance performance on a seawater duct in an atomic power plant, on the assumption that the structure of a complicated shape had caused critical deformation; 4) an experiment on the residual performance of a pier when horizontal force, torsion, and shear act at the same time. Through these cases, he pointed out that it is important how to express cracking in concrete and mechanical characteristics of reinforcement.

Next, with respect to the corrosion rate model of steel that "UC-win/WCOMD" also supports, he explained the difference from the conventional model and the advancement in simulation of steel corrosion. In specific, he made a detailed presentation about the mechanism of how the strength rather increases in the respective cases that the steel in the axial direction like a beam gets corroded and has already cracks, and that of experiment to apply shearing force to a large-scale beam with a crack previously produced in the axial direction of the member due to thermal stress. He also mentioned the influence of a huge earthquake on a seawater duct with steel corrosion.

Another case he explained was about the problem that alkali-aggregate reaction occurred in a bridge structure, causing fracture of bending work in the steel. It was a question whether it should be removed or maintained by reinforcing. Then he introduced various kinds of examinations on impact assessment method in a simple case, earthquake resistance performance in the case without fixation of stirrup, impact on the structural performance depending on the position of corrosion, and so on. He made an explanation about some cases with numerical analysis. For example, when there is damage in the fixed area, the situation can be worsened by repairing blindly, while on the contrary the strength increases by covering the whole with taping etc.

On the other hand, he said that earthquake and fatigue are only different in the patterns such as of the number or level of loads, and that originally nonlinear analysis technology can be applied to fatigue. It depends on whether or not the material model can deal with the situation of high cycle, as he explains.

Regarding this, it will be possible to deal with high-cycle cyclic stress by adding a partial term to the traditional constitutive rule. He showed a numerical analysis and other simulation cases by reflecting this with a tool (UC-win/WCOMD).

In this context, Japan Society of Civil Engineers conducted calculation to see the difference between the cases of sound situation and the situation having damage in advance, when fatigue is applied. Compared with the case of no damage, the case with a little damage showed obvious rapid decrease of fatigue life. On the contrary, it was concluded that there was no significant difference in the case of only one-time loading and deflection. He appealed that the analysis result is open to public for the purpose of having the third party examine its correctness by experiments.

Besides, he also mentioned verification of performance on an existing bridge having initial degradation, forecasting of deflection and fatigue life of the bridge superstructure against moving loads, and application cases of analysis/simulation in design confirmation of a floating structure that suffers salt splash and fatigue at the same time, etc. Among these studies, he asserted that the answers would definitely be drawn as to whether the results about durability or life are correct or not. However, since an earthquake may not lead to verification even by monitoring for as long as 50 or 100 years, he expects that with regard to earthquake damage, related technology will be improved more and more by giving feedback of information to engineers every time it is obtained.

Lastly, he again put an emphasis on the importance of an approach of developing technology by combining estimate in the laboratory and verification based on the reality, assuming that these cited examples were not fully verified.

Technology Session
<Technology Session> started at 1:00 in the afternoon. As written above, it was divided into four areas of "Civil Engineering", "Architecture", "Design CAD", and "Hydraulic Engineering". For each area, different sessions were held in each room for four hours. The following are the points of Special Lecture, User's Special Lecture, and presentations by the developer as well as developing groups of our company.

  Civil Engineering Session
Geotechnical Analysis
Professor Keizo Ugai, Civil and Geotechnical Engineering, Gunma University gave the first lecture of Civil Engineering Session, "Disasters in Intermediate and Mountainous Areas Caused by Recent Inland Earthquakes -- the Results of Research and Applications of Dynamic FEM Analysis for 2004 Chuetsu earthquake -- 2007 Chuetsu Offshore earthquake -- 2008 Sichuan earthquake -- 2008 Iwate-Miyagi Inland earthquake". Focusing on four earthquakes that had occurred in recent years in Japan and China, he explained their outlines, as well as the mechanism and characteristics of earth and soil disasters accompanied with them. He paid attention to the fact that the case of Sichuan earthquake is characteristic of rock slope failure on a large scale, unlike the cases in Japan in which earth and weathered soft rock occupy the large part of the landsliding mass. He pointed out the importance of understanding the mechanism of landslide caused by earthquake, and mentioned that numerical simulation such as FEM is essential in order to prove the mechanism of slope failure in more detail. Since the studies on earthquake disasters are mainly targeted on urbanized areas, emphasis should be put also on intermediate and mountainous areas, as he claimed.

Subsequently, FORUM8 staff introduced "GeoFEAS3D", a software program for 3D elast-plastic analysis of ground to be newly released. This is the successor of the existing "GeoFEAS2D" for two-dimensions. Showing pile foundation as an example, the staff explained the operation procedures and functions of the new product aimed for creation and analysis of a pile group ground model.


Prof. Keizo Ukai, Gunma University

Environment and Energy
Next, Professor Nobuyoshi Yabuki, Division of Sustainable Energy and Environmental Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University gave a special lecture, entitled "Computerization of Civil Engineering Improved by Environment and Energy". He gave a commentary on computerization of the civil engineering field in Japan from the points of view of CALS/EC, standardization of information on construction, adoption of three dimensions such as CAD, product models, and VR in civil engineering, and computerized construction. He paid attention to environment and energy as keys for promoting them. For this reason, he mentioned the different problems relating to environment and energy, as well as the stream towards building up a low-carbon and recycling-oriented society. He cited "national land infrastructure model" as a solution for those problems ranging in a wide variety, depicting the idea of cyber infrastructure based on 3D product models, links with the actual social infrastructure, and a picture of diverse applications for environmental and energy problems. He cited "The Third Wave" written by Alvin Toffler as a base for these ideas, and explained the impact that the progress of information communication technology (ICT) has on the society. He further showed his observation that computerization of civil engineering that had been centered on 2D drawings is going to evolve into 3D, system integration with data models, and making the real world intelligent by integrated simulation, with response to environmental and energy problems as a turning point.


Prof.Nobuyoshi Yabuki, Osaka University

Bridge Design Analysis
As a user's special lecture, Mr. Mitsuhiro Tokuno, CEO of Asahi Engineering Co., Ltd. gave a speech on "Examples of Design Analysis of Easy Slab Bridges". Headquartered in Ishikawa Prefecture, the Company is a construction consultant with bridge design occupying about 90 % of its business. He divided easy slab bridges into simple bridges and rigid-frame bridges, and explained the structures and applicable conditions for each type. He further listed the characteristics of an easy slab bridge in terms of the construction method, as follows:
1) Simple structure and low girder height
2) Supporting diverse planar structure
3) Easy construction and short work period
4) Capable of construction at a narrow and small space because of light dead weight of the girder
5) Capable of divided execution considering existing roads at the time of reconstruction of an existing bridge
6) Easy maintenance.

He also listed the characteristics of an easy rigid-frame bridge as follows:
1) Adopting an easy slab bridge for the superstructure
2) Improved earthquake proofness
3) Reduced size of the substructure by unifying superstructure and substructure
4) Mitigated impact on the surroundings because of minor influence of excavation.
5) Reduced cost because of no need for such devices as a bearing, an expansion apparatus, and a falling prevention device.

With respect to the above points, our staff in charge presented the overview of the latest development of a design calculation program for portal rigid-frame bridges. He listed some points such as adopting a 3D model for an analysis model and aiming at labor reduction of a person doing actual work as an exclusive design tool. He then explained main functions and characteristics such as scope of support, corresponding basic loads, and analysis model.


Mr. Mitsuhiro Tokuno, Asahi Engineering Co., Ltd.

Engineer's Studio Ver.1
Brent Fleming, Director in charge of development in FORUM8 presented developer's lecture on "Engineer's Studio" entitled "Presentation of New Product - Engineer's Studio". At the opening, he listed two main functions of Engineer's Studio as follows: 1) Mindlin plate element equipped with Maekawa concrete model 2) user interface completely renewed. Then he explained functions and characteristics of individual editors including material, outline, section, frame element, spring element, and Mindlin plate. Next, he demonstrated its operation with specific explanation about functions ranging from table editor to copy/paste, redo/undo, and data generation. The release of Engineer's Studio is planned within the year of 2008.


Brent Fleming, Director in charge of development

  Architecture Session
3D Building Construction Analysis
Mr. Jason Yang, Senior Structural Engineer, Formation Design Systems Pty Ltd. (Australia) gave developer's lecture, "Development of New Version of Multiframe". First, he explained the overview of "Multiframe", a 3D structural analysis program developed by the company and marketed by FORUM8 in Japan. Next, he talked about various new functions of the latest Ver.11 in detail with demonstration and movies. Lastly, he mentioned the new functions to be added for the next version.

Following this, FORUM8 staff in charge of localizing foreign products gave a presentation entitled "3D Analysis / CAD of Steel Structures -- Data Model Exchange and Latest Development", introducing the overviews of "AdvanceSteel" (2D/3D CAD for steel structure as our solution for steel structure-related issues), "MultiSTEEL" (simple version of 2D / 3D CAD for steel structures), "UC-win/FRAME (3D)", "Multiframe", and "AFES" (integrated solution for design of architecture and plant foundation. He also explained the link of data between applications. In addition, he mentioned "A SteelPlate" (for sheet metal girder bridges) and "A SteelBox" (for box girder bridges), both of which are the automatic design solutions for superstructure of steel highway bridges (sheet metal girder bridges and box girder bridges).


Mr. Jason Yang, Formation Design Systems Pty Ltd.

Home Building Cost Estimation
Mr. Shuichi Yamada, Manager, Division of Architecture and Planning, Computer System Technology Company Ltd., gave a special lecture entitled "VST5: Supporting House Building / Renovation". "VST5" is a presentation tool for housing developed by the company, and FORUM8 deals in it. It supports from presentation for housing marketing to cost estimating. Its features include rich options such as the one capable of creating 3D house models easily. After summarizing these features, he showed the operating procedure and such by demonstration.

Next, Forum8 staff presented "UC-win/Road for VST5", which aims at linking this VST5 with our 3D real-time VR "UC-win/Road". This is a tool to import the house model exported by the output function of VST5 to UC-win/Road. It is expected to bring about a number of advantages such as capacity of reproducing the surrounding situation of a house more realistically, covering a wide range of areas. Then, he explained its simple procedure and presentation method through demonstration.


Mr. Shuichi Yamada, Computer System Technology Company Ltd.

BIM in Architecture / Evacuation Analysis
Mr. Ryuta Ieiri, Manager of "Ieiri Construction IT Lab", Planning and Editing Committee, Construction Bureau, Nikkei Business Publications, Inc. gave a special lecture entitled "Latest Information on BIM -- 3D is Changing Construction Production Process". In his opinion, the BIM (Building Information Modeling) model, which consists of 3D geometries and attribute information, can be a solution for the challenges that the construction industry have, such as improvement in productivity and CO2 reduction, based on the idea that the model serves for various uses beyond phases. Next, he cited characteristic cases of utilizing BIM both in Japan and the USA. In addition, he commented on what kind of added value could be brought about to architecture design by utilizing BIM. He further stated that a wide range of efforts and movement in introducing BIM were on progress.

Following this, FORUM8 staff presented the overviews of "EXODUS", an evacuation analysis simulation program, and "SMARTFIRE", a fire simulation program. Showing case studies of using them including the one in buildings, he explained its capability of various types of simulation and analysis.


Mr. Ryuta Ieiri, Nikkei Business Publications, Inc.

CAD for Steel Structures
Mr. Ulrich SCHULZE, International Marketing Application Engineer, Graitec Inc. (France) gave a special lecture entitled "Supported BIM 3D civil engineering and construction CAD". First, he explained its concept from the perspective of BIM for his company, saying that utilization and linking of data is done among different tools via one database. In addition, he presented its diverse functions that help to improve the productivity of "Advance Steel 2009", a CAD for 3D steel structure of the company, including the multi-user function, with several specific cases.

Forum8 staff made a commentary on the Japanese version of "Advance Steel". Good usability in its drawing function is remarkable, e.g. in that a lot of members are registered by default as plug-in software for AUTOCAD for creation of models and design documents for steel structures. Then he went on to further explanation, showing actual procedures of operation.


Mr. Ulrich SCHULZE, Graitec Inc.

  Design CAD Session
UC-win/FRAME(3D)
The Design CAD session was opened up by User's special lecture by Mr. Minoru Maejima, Deputy Manager, Development and Sales, Bridge and Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering Dept., Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd., entitled "Examples of Aseismic Reinforcement Design of Steel Deck Arch Bridges Using Buckling Restraint Brace". He explained examples of using UC-win/FRAME (3D) for deck arch bridges in order to evaluate aseismic capacity of existing bridges. First, he presented the overview of the subjects, the analysis procedure, and the actual analysis result. Then he showed the analysis result of the case of setting up buckling restraint braces as a measure for improving aseismic capacity as well, stating that he confirmed its validity.

FORUM8 staff introduced the recent tendency of analysis support service as the latest information on analysis technology of UC-win/FRAME (3D). At the same time, he expounded on modeling and analysis procedure etc. of river structures, bridges, or buildings with UC-win/FRAME (3D).


Mr. Minoru Maejima, Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd.

Substructure / Foundation
Mr. Tomonori Sugano, Underground Construction Method Group, Division of Foundation, Dept.of Research of Construction Technology, Takenaka Research and Development Institute, Takenaka Corporation gave a special lecture entitled "Design Methods Steel pipe-sheet-pile-well Foundation using 3D Frame Analysis". First, he explained the overview of steel-pipe-sheet-pile-well foundation and its design analysis methods. Next, he expounded on the problems of traditional methods, the reasons why 3D Frame Analysis approach did not spread, and the necessity of 3D Frame Analysis approach. Then he mentioned advantages of the approach, assuming the tool under joint development with FORUM8, that it is capable of modeling a complicated structure as it is, that it can reproduce complicated behavior accurately, that it corresponds to flexible condition setting, and others. He also expected that it would lead into rationalized design as well as adoption of new materials and construction methods.

Following his speech, FORUM8 staff introduced "Design Calculation of Steel-pipe-sheet-pile Foundation" under development. Along with the product overview and principal characteristics, he expounded on its specific functions while showing the operation procedure.


Mr. Tomonori Sugano, Takenaka Corporation

CALS/CAD
Associate Professor Etsuji Kitagawa, Faculty of Management Information, Hannan University gave a special lecture entitled "Development of 'Logical Image', Comparison of Images". After mentioning different types of supporting tools for electronic delivery developed by Kansai Information Institute Co., Ltd. he belongs to, he presented one of those tools, "Logical Image". First, he expounded on the concept of the image difference that is a core for the tool, along with its necessity, and former existing restrictions. Then, he explained the principal functions of Logical Image that solved these restrictions while showing examples.

With respect to this subject, FORUM8 staff made a presentation on new products of a CALS / CAD series. First, she explained our support to address construction CALS aiding document information, drawing information, and electronic delivery respectively. Then she expounded on "F8DocServ", "UC-Draw", and "Electronic Delivery Aiding Tool Ver.8" which had reflected the standard revision published in May this year by showing demonstration. She also mentioned the expansion of the series implementing not only Logical Image (for images and photos) but also Logical Smart (CAD drawings) and Logical Document (documents).


Associate Prof. Etuji Kitagawa, Hannan University

Civil Engineering / Temporary Work Design
To close the session, Assistant Professor Fei CAI, Social Environmental Design Engineering Major, Graduate School of Gunma University gave a special lecture entitled "Sheathing Work Design and Utilization of FEM Analysis". First, he indicated the concept of the basic plan flow of soil retaining works, and went on to explain boiling analysis, heaving analysis, and calculation of stress and deformation based on examples of using a number of tools including FEM analysis. He said that as a result of these, it was made clear that 1) with conventional methods, safety factors for boiling come to be dangerous without considering 3D effect. 2) Both 3D effect and embedment effect are conservative without considering heaving. 3) Regarding calculation of stress and deformation, it is important to consider that it depends on the strain level of the deformation coefficient.

Following this, FORUM8 staff made a presentation on "Temporary Sheathing Work Design Ver.6" supporting FEM analysis. He put a special emphasis on the main revised points including 1) support for standard design of land improvement projects, 2) support for hat-shaped steel sheet pile and light-weight steel sheet pile, 3) support for concrete sheet pile, 4) support for walls of equal thickness SMW, and 5) support for double waling.


Assistant Prof. Fei CAI, Gunma University
  Hydraulic Engineering Session

The 2nd Technology Seminar on Prevention of Inundation
Unlike other sessions, the engineering session was held as a technology seminar on prevention of inundation. Mr. Isao Dodo, Chairman of SWMM Users' Association (President of Nihon Suiko Sekkei Co., Ltd) gave opening greetings.
First, Professor Yoshihisa Kawahara, Dept. of Social and Environmental Engineering, Hiroshima University gave a keynote lecture entitled "Issues and Directions of Flood Analysis in Urban Areas". He expounded on the characteristics of torrential rains and urban flood damage in recent years, the present situation and improvement of flood analysis technology, the concept of the integrated flood analysis model and issues to be solved. Through these points, he showed his observation that 1) Comprehensive flood analysis is necessary when a torrential rain occurs; 2) For analysis considering the urban structure, it is required to build up a inundation model in the underground space along with acquisition of detailed data and verification; 3) It is required to analyze both networks of sewers and rivers.
Prof. Yoshihisa Kawahara, Hiroshima University
Next, Mr. Takaki Ishikawa, Water Environment Creation Club (an NPO corporation) presented a report on ICUD (11th International Conference on Urban Discharge) held in Edinburgh, Scotland from August 31 to September 5 this year. He explained that discussions were made on countermeasures against climate change, countermeasures against heavy metals and hazardous materials contained in rains and wastewater, new technology of run-off analysis, new monitoring technology and how to utilize it, rain forecasting with a precipitation radar and asset management etc. He also mentioned the tasks for technology of SWMM or Japan to be widespread throughout the world.
Mr. Takaki Ishikawa, NPO Corporation "Water Environment Creation Club"
Professor Masaru Morita, Dept. of Civil Engineering, College of Civil Engineering, Shibaura Institute of Technology gave a lecture entitled "From Flood Analysis to Risk Management", with special focus on risk analysis and risk management. Taking the Kanda River that is his own research subject for instance, he expounded on the procedure of risk analysis, the model for calculating flooding with inundation, and the flood damage estimation model consisting of the aforementioned model and the model for calculating damage based on it. Then he further made commentaries on the risk analysis using these forecasted results and on studies of optimum flood control measures utilizing them.
Prof. Masaru Morita, Shibaura Institute of Technology
After a break, Mr. Anthony Kuch, Vice President of XP-software Pty Ltd. gave a lecture to introduce technology entitled "The Latest Flood Analysis Technologies in xpswmm and Overseas Case Studies". With demonstration, he expounded on the rain run-off analysis software "xpswmm" about the points ranging from its superiority including linkage with GIS to capacity of the 2D engine, integration, case studies of the model in the USA and UK, and planned development in the future.
Mr. Anthony Kuch, XP-software Pty Ltd.
Next, Mr. Takehiko Naka, the First Design Section, the First Technology Dept., Tokyo Branch, Nihon Suiko Sekkei Co., Ltd made a presentation on case studies entitled "Evaluation of Retention Facility Against Changing Specifications at Execution Design". He explained the overview of the target basin for which a plan was made using xpswmm, analysis of the present condition in the plan, the overview of the countermeasures at the time of planning, problems that arose when the execution design was examined in detail and the proposal of alternative measures, and the verification of its effect.
Mr. Takehiko Naka, Nihon Suiko Sekkei Co., Ltd
Another presentation on case studies was made by Mr. Yu Kikuchi, Nippon Koei Co., Ltd., entitled "Analysis of Flushing Gate Equipped Within Pipes and Drains, Using xpswmm". He explained the efforts of using xpswmm in order to grasp hydraulic behaviors caused by setting up a flushing gate in a pipe or drain, as well as the effect when two or more flushing gates are set up. It is capable of expressing hydraulic behaviors occurring in quite a short time such as the one with a flushing gate. The effects of setting up one or more gates were also confirmed. In future, he would like to study not only flow velocity but also analysis of contamination load quantity and optimization of the position and number of the gates.
Mr. Yu Kikuchi, Nippon Koei Co., Ltd.,
Hydraulic Engineering Design
Following the lectures in the hydraulic engineering session, FORUM8 staff made a presentation entitled " Introduction of UC-win/Road for xpswmm and Approach to Tsunami Analysis". Showing related images, the staff explained the tool for incorporating the data obtained through xpswmm into UC-win/Road and visualizing them. In addition, he presented examples of utilizing it for Tsunami analysis.

Finally, another Forum8 staff made a presentation entitled "Hydraulic Engineering Series and Functions of Sewage CAD", introducing the overviews of design support software products for water supply / sewage and river design, including "Pipe network design", "Distribution basin earthquake resistant design calculation", "Storage pond / Treatment pond calculation", "Box culvert design (earthquake-proof sewage system)", "Manhole design calculation", "iPipe sewerage design CAD system", and "Flexible structure sluiceway design".

After all the lectures were over, a reception was held to help participants to get acquainted, having a large number of attendants. We would like to express our hearty thanks to everyone again for sharing this significant opportunity.



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Overseas Event Report (November 2008)
(Up & Coming November, 2008)
The 12th International Conference of IACMAG Event Overview Page
The 12th International Conference of IACMAG was held in Goa, India from October 1 to 6, 2008. IACMAG stands for International Association for Computer Methods and Advances, and it is a historical global conference organization related to geotechnical analysis. We gave a speech in the opening ceremony as a premium sponsor and introduced Geotechnical Finite element Elastoplastic Analysis Software (GeoFEAS) 3D and our geotechnical stress and deformation analysis software series at the exhibition.
Many researchers and technicians of geotechnical dynamics assembled to this conference from all over the world. At the conference, the papers focused on the recent development problems in geotechnical engineering, case studies and solutions related to earth, and the recent trends, such as the structure of unsaturated soil, micromechanics, nanoengineering and bio/geo-interface, were also discussed.
Internationally-recognized software development companies like Plaxis, Itasca and Talren took part in this conference, and it was very fruitful to exchange information and opinions.
Please continue your interest to FORUM8's three-dimensional advanced analysis.
Many companies of geotechnical analysis
software are cited on web site as sponsor
The scene in the hall
exhibited GeoFEAS3D released in September FORUM8 booth


FORUM8 exhibited and participated in four international conference, exhibition and workshop held in Beijing, China from October 12 to 22, 2008.

ITSC08 Event Overview Page
The 11th International IEEE Conference on Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITSC08) is an international conference about basic research and application of main progress related to intelligent transport system (ITS). Most participants in the main hall participated in the conference stopped at our booth and expressed great interest and appreciation for both drive simulator and movie, and it was a great success. Especially, UC-win/Road Drive Simulator is a full-fledged four-wheel real car type simulator achieving price-reduction and can reproduce various three-dimensional driving environments and deal with drive simulation using 3ch monitor, and these points received a high evaluation. A few companies had specific queries, and we aim to continue our efforts to promote the utilization of 3D VR technology.
Exhibition hall The scene at the exhibition


ICCCBE Event Overview Page
International Conference on Computing in Civil and Building Engineering (ICCCBE) is an international conference for having contact in the latest development technology and research field of civil engineering and construction engineering. The first conference was held in New York in 1981, it was held in the world's major cities in turn after that, and this time, in Beijing, was the 12th. Worldwide construction companies, domestic and overseas software vendor, government officials, entrepreneurs and researchers in the various fields take part in this conference. There were participants from Japan and other foreign countries at the exhibition hall. The KEYNOTE (keynote lecture: Approach and Efforts of Software Development for Penetration on Information Technology in Construction.) by our president Yuji Ito was also well-attended with 200 listeners and they showed great interest, especially in the VR session. In the presentation of the results of the research in each session, the presentation about VR by our technical staff was a great success. Our booth was extended from ITSC and set at the resting-place, so many people came to our booth and a high interest in VR simulation, such as the functions of UC-win/Road, domestic and foreign cases, the utilization cases of DS exhibited together, was shown in there, too.
KEYNOTE presentation by our president Yuji Ito FORUM8 adviser Prof. MA (Tsinghua University) and Prof. Tanaka (Kansai University)


14WCEE 14th World Conference on Earthquake Engineering Event Overview Page
World Conference on Earthquake Engineering (WCEE) started in 1956, and is the most influential event in the field of earthquake engineering; it is held every four years and hosted by International Association for Earthquake Engineering (IAEE).
This conference was the 14th conference and this year, 4800 papers were submitted and 1700 papers were presented in each conference room each day. There were 3328 visitors from various countries, such as China, Japan and the United States, etc., and there were many reports about the Great Sichuan Earthquake which occurred in May. There were 100 exhibition booths, making it the greatest WCEE ever held.
FORUM8 had exhibition and poster presentation of dissertation focused on three dimensional nonlinear analysis "UC-win/FRAME(3D)" and Geotechnical Finite element Elastoplastic Analysis Software (GeoFEAS) 3D and many visitors showed great interest.
Recently, the rapid economic development of China is faced with the task to always protect citizens from the consequences of earthquake damage as an earthquake-prone country same as Japan. It is expected that concern about the newest result of research and the technology about earthquake-proof performance examination by reference will increase mainly by government-affiliated organizations and research institutions from now on, and our structural analysis programs may be able to contribute greatly.
Exhibition hall Opening ceremony


Tsinghua University Workshop Event Overview Page
The 3rd FORUM8 Workshop in Tsinhua University (Beijing) was held on October 22. With some help from Tsinghua University Prof. MA ZHI LIANG, who was our corporate adviser this time, the workshop was a great success as we attracted many participants including professors and students registered in the engineering course of the university, and the persons in charge of design of Beijing city.
In the workshop, we made presentations mainly about Chinese products such as UC-win/Road, UC-win/FRAME (3D) and UC-1 Abutment design. In the discussion, we tried to exchange opinions and technologies about the linkage and utilization cases of UC-win/Road and EXODUS, future seismic design in China, current Japanese situation and development into Engineers' Studio.
FORUM8 established Beijing office near Tsinghua University where the workshop was held. TV conference system was introduced to the office and now, we hold seminars on a regular basis. If you're ever in the neighborhood, please visit our office.
Tsinghua University Venue



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VR workshop at ASU
Overview (Up&Coming September, 2008)
Workshop by VR symposium member
VR modeling training and presentation of research and idea


FORUM8 has joined "VRworkshop at ASU" on July. The presentation or training about the lastest UC-win/Road was carried out to increase the exchange among university reseacheres from contries. This topic describes the study intoduced by presentations and VR usuful ideas.


Purpose of VR workshop
This workshop was held for the following, located in the midway between the 1st and 2nd Insternational VR symposium.

1) Learn the Basic and application of UC-win/Road to create VR model in short time
2) Decide an idea and modeling for the 2nd symposium
3) Discuss about a future stuy and activity

World8, organized by Prof. Kobayashi of ASU, gathered together for the following.
VRworkshop in ASU

VR workshop ASU Schedule At Arizona State University
2008/8/11 9:00-17:30 Pre-workshop1
9:00-17:30 Digital Phoenix Modeling
2008/8/12 9:00-12:30 Pre-workshop2
9:00-12:30 UC-win/Road Basic
Creation
-Terrain data/Texture and 3D moddel/MD3 human animation model
2008/8/12 13:00-17:30 Workshop Day1
13:00-13:15
13:15-13:45
14:00-15:00
15:00-16:00
16:00-17:30
Opening speech(Associate Prof. Kobayashi of Arizona State University)
UC-win/Road Latest Informaiton(FORUM8)
Guest speech(Prof. Ed Galea ofUniversity of Greenwich, UK)
"Effect of Crowd Safety Engineering and Simulation"
Presentation1:Associate Prof. Ronald Hawker of Zayed University, UAE
"Reconstruction of Historical Architecture Style and Landscape in UAE"
VR Phoenix/Downtown model and Drive Simulator
(Digital Phoenix Team of Arizona State University)
2008/8/13 8:00-17:30 Workshop Day2
8:00- 9:00
9:00-10:00
10:00-11:00
11:00-12:00
15:00-16:00


16:00-17:30
Auto-modeling of 3D object(Associate Prof. Kobayashi of Arizona State University)
Netlogo an 3D human model aninmation(Researcher Taro Narahara of Harvard University, USA)
Shapefile Plug-in (FORUM8)
Traffic creation with SDK (FORUM8)
Decicion Theatre/ Demonstration
"Collada Data and Google Earth" (Dr. Robert,Arizona State University)
"I-MOVE and UC-win/Road" (DP Team,Arizona State University)
SDK programming (FORUM8-Associate Prof. Kobayashi of Arizona State University)
Integration of Delphi Basic and Animation model
2008/8/14 8:30-17:30 Workshop Day3
8:30- 8:50

8:55- 9:15

9:20- 9:40

9:45-10:05

10:10-10:30

10:35-10:55

11:00-11:20

11:25-11:55

13:00-14:00
Pressentation2:Researcher Taro Narahara of Harvard University, USA
"The Status of 3D character simulation tool and Future VR"
Presentation3:Associate Prof. Kostas Terzidis of Harvard University, USA
"Online-realtime -VR and Related Projects"
Presentation4(Online):Prof. Carlos Calderon of University of Newcastle, England UK
"Assessment of the impact by climatic change and a natural disaster simulation"
Presentation5:Associate Prof. Montoya of Pontifical Catholic University of Chile
"Search for Urban Planing Modeling and Visualization"
Presentation6:Assistant Prof. Wael Abdelhameed of University of Bahrain, Bahrain
"Case Study of Strategic Planing Proposal in Egypt"
Presentation7(Online):Assistance Prof. Michael
Prof. Nik Luka of McGill University, Canada
"Study of UC-win/Road Adaptability for Montreal Urban Planing"
Presentation8:Associate Prof. Tomohiro Fukuda of Osaka University
"Sakai LRT Project, Next Gene 20 in Taiwan, Kakogawa Downtown Re-born Designing by high school students"
Presentation9:Associate Prof. Kobayashi of Arizona State University USA
"VR model for the 2nd Vsymposium"
Discussion
"Future development through the symposium","Proposalk of Research Projects","Paper Presentation","Annoucement of Results"
2008/8/14 15:00- Technical Tour -1
PURL and Phoenix/Downtown
2008/8/15 9:00- Technical Tour -2
10:00-
12:00-
14:00-20:00
TALIESIN West(Frank Lloyd Wright School)
ARCOSANTI
SEDONA

Pre-workshop was held to invite researchers who wants to join to "UC-win/Road Basic" and "VR modeling". The lectures were leaded by "phoenix team" by Chris, Reed and Mike involved in "Digital Phoenix Modeling". Reid will join FORUM8(Tokyo head office) from this September.


Summary of VR workshop and presentation

Associate Prof. Kobayashi proposed at his opening speech. that the development of protocol, tools, and new applications should be developed under the theme of "Innovation of VR modeling with UC-win/Road", "Providing a market or research with impact by a global and intelligent VR" and "pursuit of the new possibilities of a future research". Highly sophisticated city concept have been set to bear fruits.

Prof. Ed Galea, who had been introduced on "Latest information of UC-win/RoadVer.3.4", gave a speech about "Evacuation simulation", "Crowd simulation". His speech attracted the visitors who specialize in the study of architecture or urban design. First presentation(presentation 1) by world8 member was held by Associate Prof. Ronald Hawker of Dubai, UAE. He proposed reconstruction of historical architectures or landscapes.

Workshop start
(Presentation by Associate Prof. Kobayashi)
Guest speech by Prof. Ed Galea

Researcher Narahara of Harvard University presented 3D character modeling and Associate Prof. Kostas Terzidis of the university, proposed "Online Realtime VR".

Prof. Carlos Calderon of University of Newcastle, England made a suggestion that Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research should adopt a nature disaster simulation. FORUM8 is ready to support modeling.

Prof. Montoya of Chili University offered, giving some concrete examples; "Virtual University of the university", "Environmental assessment at new toll gate of Santiago" and "Integration of development program for architecture standard".

Prof. Wael Abdelhameed of University of Bahrain presented the urban planning model of villages in Egypt.

Associate Prof. Fukuda Tomohiro of Osaka University was in the limelight with his projects including LRT system project of Sakai city headlined throughout Osaka.

Prof. Nik Luka of McGill University, Canada also explained the application of LRT system by using the model created with UC-win/Road.

Last of all, the discussion for activity of the 2nd VR symposium, was held by Associate Prof. Kobayashi.

On the technical tour, we saw the presentation of the Digital Phoenix Project with 7 screens at "Decision Theater" of Arizona State University near the university.

For more information about Decision Theater
http://www.decisiontheater.org

And also saw the architecture school designed by Frank Lloyd Wright known as former Imperial Hotel designer, one of the three America's master architect.

Downtown Phoenix model
and
Digital Phoenix Road model (PDF image)
The smallest architecture school designed by Frank Lloyd Wright The grand architecture project ARCOSANTI

VR workshop-presentation by World8 member

Associate Prof. Ronald Hawker
of Zayed University, UAE

Researcher Taro Narahara
of Harvard University, USA

Associate Prof. Kostas Terzidis
of Harvard University, USA

Prof. Carlos Calderon
of University of Newcastle, England)

Associate Prof. Montoya
of Pontifical Catholic University of Chile

Prof. Wael Abdelhameed
of University of Bahrain, Bahrain

Associate Prof. Tomohiro Fukuda
of Osaka University

Prof. Nik Luka
of McGill University, Canada


 


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Overseas Event Report (September, 2008)
(Up&Coming September, 2008)
The 9th Intelligent Transport Systems Asia-Pacific Forum & Exhibition, ITS AP 2008.
FORUM8 has exhibited the 9th Intelligent Transport Systems Asia-Pacific Forum & Exhibition, ITS AP 2008. held in Shingapole from july 14-16, 2008.
ITS FORUM is held every year in major city of the world for the worldwide information exchange or global cooperation to have the ITS related study to be realized.
Intelligent Transport Systems or ITS through the use of advanced information and communication technologies, makes the transport system more efficient, safe, and cost-effective, thereby enhancing the productivity and quality of life for people.
The theme for ITS AP 2008 is 'Connecting U & I'. It signifies the important role that ITS ('I') currently plays in providing seamless connections between travel modes for the users ('U'). The forum will focus on the pivotal role of ITS in facilitating ease, comfort and convenience to commuters, enhancing management of transport networks via ITS knowledge and implementation, and ensuring a safe and comfortable travel for everyone.

ITS AP 2008
UC-win/Road was valued highly by many experts or researchers for its advanced picture expressing technology and ease to create models. They seems to be interested enough to ask some questions about a series of UC-win/Road products and UC-win/Road Web Viewer. FORUM8 will dedicate ourselves to expand 3DVR technology, linking with worldwide netwrok.

Public Seminar VR-The New Dimension of Engineering
Interactive Digital Centre has established the new centre with state-of-the-art 3D technologies and laboratories for training and research, as well as industry project development. Advanced 3D technology is being studied and developed to promote 3D training program at several fields:medical agency, educational institution, logistics company, aviation authority, building industry.

Temasek Polytechinc is planing new projects using UC-win/Road and SDK.
They are to join "The 7th 3DVR Simulation Contest" by FORUM8.

We hope you'll find it worth our expansion of sales regions starting in Shingapole

IDC Asia
Introduction page
Public Seminar VR training




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9th UC-win/Road Conference
Overview page (Up&Coming July 2008 issue)
The Latest News on UC-win/Road and Recent Usages of 3D VR Becoming More Advanced

In May 20, 2008, 9th UC-win/Road Conference was held by FORUM8 at Tokyo Conference Center Shinagawa.

Since the 1st version of "UC-win/Road" was released in May 2000, we have held the conference every year. While hearing from users to reflect in continuous improvement in the software product, we also announce an update and other information in this conference.

This time, the Conference was organized to present the update (UC-win/Road Ver.3.4) that is coming soon, "VR-Studio" that is positioned as the next strategic product under development, and the latest development information of other related new products. At the same time, it included the hottest case studies by the users as examples of using virtual reality (VR), as well as special lectures from speakers active in academic and international fields in utilizing VR in the areas of environmental and architectural design. In addition, various types of simulators were installed at the open space (Foyer) so that visitors could actually experience the latest driving simulation with UC-win/Road.

Lectures by Developers: the Newest Development Information of UC-win/Road
The Conference was started by the developers' lectures at 11:00 in the morning. First, Yuji Ito, President of FORUM8 talked about major topics about UC-win/Road that came up after the previous (8th) Conference in May last year. What he reviewed included release of UC-win/Road Ver.3.3 (present version) in July 2007, interfacing with CAD (data exchange with Civil 3D as well as InRoads), release of "UC-win/Road Education Version" for primary, junior and senior high school students in addition to the academic version for college students and others. He also gave an explanation on driving simulation, such as plug-in options for "UC-win/Road Drive Simulator", and package systems including "Demo Simulator" (a simple simulator) and "Compact Research Simulator" (a simulator for research).

He also referred to "SIGGRAPH 2007", one of the largest event concerning CG and interactive technologies held in San Diego, CA, USA in August 2007, in which FORUM8 participated for the first time as a part of working on seminars and exhibitions at home and abroad, along with "3D VR Simulation Contest by UC-win/Road" which had been held every year since 2002. It served as impetus for forming an international academic group of researchers in the area of architecture, "World 8", with an eye toward international rollout of "VR-Studio" in future. He described the story behind how this group had decided to hold an international symposium with its focus on VR in liaison with the Contest mentioned above.

He especially paid attention to the fact that National Science Foundation (NSF) names "Enhance Virtual Reality" among 14 items of "21st Century grand engineering challenges" announced in public in February 2008. He showed his commitment to developing UC-win/Road and VR-Studio so that FORUM8 could contribute in this area.

Next, FORUM8 staff made a presentation on "UC-win/Road Shapefile Plug-in" and "UC-win/Road for EXODUS" that were about to be released in May to June as the latest information regarding UC-win/Road. Then, he gave an explanation on the features of "UC-win/Road Ver.3.4" in the following points: 1) Support function of intersection texture editing, 2) Support for full screen and simulation panel, 3) driving interaction function, 4) Support for Windows Vista. He also explained our enhanced lineup of drive simulators in accordance with purposes of using, and their technical improvement in functions in detail.


Venue: Tokyo Conference Center Shinagawa The latest development information of UC-win/Road

Technology Session

Starting from 1:00 in the afternoon, Technology Session was organized by 3 parts: Stream-1 "The Latest Case Studies," Stream-2 "CAD & VR," and Stream-3 "Options for new development."

The Latest Case Studies

The first presentation from the users' special lectures of "latest case studies" was "Nihonbashigawa River Project" delivered by Pf. Shigenao Onda, Lecturer, Graduate School of Regional Policy Design (Researcher at Laboratory of Regional Design with Ecology, Graduate School of Hosei University).

Established in 2004 as a part of the scientific frontier promotion project by Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, the Laboratory puts urban and regional planning by renovation of waterfront space in the center of its activities. Responding to the idea of moving Metropolitan Expressway that spans Nihonbashigawa River into underground advocated by then-prime minister Koizumi in 2005, "Nihonbashigawa-River Project" started from April 2007 to be continued for 2 years. At the beginning, the staff used E boat for the purpose of grasping the present condition thoroughly, creating a database of continuous elevation views in 2D. Then they paid attention to the possibility of 3D VR created by UC-win/Road, and worked to produce VR data for the area between the Misaki Bridge and the Toyomi Bridge for about 5km from early 2008 till the end of March. In that process, it was guessed that a lot of remnants for the period in and after Edo era might exist. This made the team hope to try building up a VR space that links with the past that can be traced back by periods until the last days of the Tokugawa regime, and with a planned future.

Next, Mr. Noboru Hiroshige, Section Chief of New Business Department, TAISEI ENGINEERING Co., Ltd. gave a lecture on "Utilization and Cases of 3D VR (UC-win/Road) in Civil Engineering Consultancy" based on his own experiences. At the beginning, he explained the advantages of UC-win/Road in efficiency and functions that he realized after he had adopted it in about 2002, compared with VR data creation with the 3D modeling software tool used before.

Then he named the following examples in which he actually used 3D VR to the fullest: 1) Consideration of preventive measures of traffic accidents accompanied with the structural form of a terminal IC on express ways, 2) Consideration of color arrangement of the tollbooth at a newly constructed IC, 3) Proposal about the locations to install information signs accompanied with designing an additional Junction, and their structural forms, 4) Explanation to local community about the construction implemented in diverting small rivers and the structural form, and so on. He expressed his intent to aim at faster, lower in cost, and more advanced reproducibility as well as to enhance the targets to which 3D VR is applied, for example, from roads to other services, or from the construction stage to the maintenance stage.

Pf. Shigenao Onda, Researcher at Laboratory of Regional Design with Ecology, Graduate School of Hosei University

Mr. Noboru Hiroshige, TAISEI ENGINEERING Co., Ltd.

CAD&VR

In the first part of Stream-2 "CAD & VR", Mr. Alastair Maxwell, Manager of Transportation Group, Transport Research Laboratory (TRL Limited) made a presentation entitled "TRANSYT and OSCADY PRO traffic signal design and evaluation software", focusing on "TRANSYT" which is a traffic signal design support tool, and "OSCADY PRO" that performs optimization of traffic signal control of a traffic network, among various traffic design solutions from the company.

Next, the person in charge from FORUM8 gave an explanation on the difference in the standards of traffic signals between Japan and England etc., and localization of the above tools for the Japanese market. Using demonstration, He also commented on 3 items that had been verified by UC-win/Road out of 6 types of traffic simulation model operated by Japan Society of Traffic Engineers. The 3 items are: measurement of time intervals of generating cars, reproducibility of bottleneck capacity, capacity and capacity ratio at merging areas.

In the latter part, Mr. Anthony Kuch, Vice President of XP Software Inc. gave a lecture on "Advances in the modeling and visualization of storage and infiltration and flood analysis". He mentioned difference in runoff from rainfall between natural areas and urban areas, especially, advantages of "xpswmm" in analyzing and visualizing complex phenomena in urban areas, and a project of creating VR with UC-win/Road (developing "Road for xpswmm") from the result of analysis. As urban flood damages occur frequently, he showed expectation on the advantages to be brought about by the cooperation between the two.

Mr. Alastair Maxwell, Transport Research Laboratory (UK)

XP-software Pty Ltd.
Mr. Anthony Kuch
Options for New Development

In Stream3 "Options for New Development", an explanation was given on the summary and operation flow of "UC-win/Road Shapefile Plug-in" to be released in June, as a part of "UC-win/Road GIS". Then, a presentation was made on "GIS Plug-in" to be released at the end of 2008 including its summary, applicable formats, switchover from existing tools, and expansion of the objects of data exchange. Lastly, "GEOMania" was presented with a "shakability map" as an example. GEOMania is made up with an applied development kit, "GDK" (GEOMania Development Kit) as a basis, enabling a wide range of GIS systems to be built up by combining with tools depending on each purpose of development.

Next presentation focused on "UC-win/Road for EXODUS". Along with various applied cases about evacuation simulation "EXODUS" and Fire Simulation "SMARTFIRE", their new functions to be added in the future were explained. The speaker also mentioned their function to interface with "UC-win/Road for EXODUS" that enables to represent the results of their analysis etc. in a more realistic way with VR, as well as their advantages to be expected. In addition, he mentioned its future developments with VR-Studio in view, including support for wide-area evacuation plans or simulation.

UC-win/Road GIS

UC-win/Road for EXODUS

Special Lecture: VR Presentation Technique
The first one of the special lectures in the latter part was "VR Presentation Technique" made by Pf. Tomohiro Fukuda, Associate Professor of Environmental Design, Sustainable Energy & Environmental Engineering, Osaka University. In the beginning, he looked back major projects in which he took charge, and how things changed in his involvement with VR technology.

As an example of utilizing VR in presentation about his own design, he introduced Patio for 4 Towns in Takamatsu. In this project, he created VR of the present condition first, and then did a subtraction to represent a proposal plan. He also built up a 4D design system combined with VR and a web log so that all the persons concerned could always share information. On the other hand, in the urban planning with LRT (Light Rail Transit) examined by Sakai city, Osaka at present, he organized VR contents to be used in plan studying. He prepared such contents for several draft plans to simulate changes of traffic volume of automobiles or landscape along the route to be brought about by introducing LRT. Based on these experiences, he expressed his view that more efforts should be made in order to have a good command of VR as a means of communication.

Pf. Tomohiro Fukuda, Associate Professor, Osaka University

Special Lecture: The Latest VR Modeling in U.S.A. and Development of 3D Modeling Tools
Another special lecture was delivered by Pf. Yoshihiro Kobayashi, Ph.D, Assistant Professor, School of Architecture & Landscape Architecture, College of Architecture & Environmental Design, Arizona State University (ASU), entitled "The Latest VR Modeling in U.S.A. and Development of 3D Modeling Tools".

Rapidly expanding, the City of Phoenix is exposed to sprawling. In relation with the downtown redevelopment to serve as its countermeasure, ASU set up "Decision Theater", in which one could experience immersive world with a 3D panoramic view of 260 degrees created by 7 screens. In order to provide 3D digital contents concerning the past, present, and future of the City and the greater area as base material for the theater, "Digital Phoenix Project" got started, for which he had been working on creating the 3D model of the city to visualize traffic simulation.

Through such work, he created VR models after simulating influences that LRT to be completed at the end of 2008 would have on the downtown traffic. He also made attempts after another, one of which was simultaneous visualization of real and virtual images with I-MOVIE and UC-win/Road. Then he talked about the process that led to "World8" plan. That is, in pursuing various activities about VR, common ground was required for researchers with VR or design expertise to use common platform and share technology or knowledge with each other.

Pf. Yoshihiro Kobayashi, Assistant Professor, Arizona State University

Lecture by Developer: Future Development of UC-win/Road - VR-Studio
The closing lecture of the conference was "Future Development of UC-win/Road - VR-Studio" by Mr. Peter Simmons, Senior Engineer, FORUM8 New Zealand Ltd. As a part of features of "VR-Studio" under development, he presented the edit function for multi users, large-scale terrain information, user interface in CAD style, introduction of section parts, and others while showing demonstration.

After all the lectures were over, a networking party was held to serve as a place of exchange. We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude again for having a large number of attendees following the lectures, being able to share a worthwhile opportunity.

Future development of UC-win/Road - VR-Studio




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Overseas Event Report
(Up&Coming July, 2008)
HANNOVER MESSE 2008 Event Overview Page

FORUM8 has exibited at "HANNOVER MESSE 2008", international industry techinology fari, held in Hannover, Germarny from 21 to 25 April, 2008. That's because speciality trade fair is held at the same time and same place. in addition to many of each fair is the world's or Europe's largest scale.
From over 70 contries in the world every year,about 20 milion visitors and 3000 press visit the fair where about 5000 companies exibit. This time, Japan was selected as partner contries and former prime minister Abe gave a speech on the eve. The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) took the lead of building "Japan pavilion". It was consist of 150 companies and groups including 120 companies from Japan and local companies to display and present the latest technologies by Japanese companies.
"UC-win/Road", 3D real time VR, and "UC-win/Road Drive Simulator", four wheels real vehicle type, was on exhibit at our booth. Several usage cases by use of "UC-win/Road " was introduced. Especially, "UC-win/Road Drive Simulator" attracted public attention.
Our booth are alive with traffic during the fair, which offer a glimpse of advanced research of simulator usage across industries.
FORUM8 will aggressively exhibit at overseas trade fairs for the introduction of "UC-win/Road" and "VR-studio" ,wihich is still being developed as next strategic product. FORUM8 are going to exhibit at "ITS AP2008" in Singapore in July , "SIGGRAPH2008" in Los Angelse in August, and ""ICCBE Conference"in Beijing in Octorber. We are looling forward to see you! Please drop by our booth whenever you get a chance.

HANNOVER MESSE 2008

ITS Canada Event Overview Page

FORUM8 have exihibited from 1 to 4 June, 2008 at "ITS Canada" ,which aim to propagate advanced transportation system, promote relationship between government and the private sector and strengthen Canada's industrial competitiveness.
250 people visited our booth and putted through UC-win/Road as latest VR technologies. At our booth, we and Transsoft, our dealer in Canda, dealt with government agencies and educational facilities widely.

CARVI 2008 Event Overview Page

FORUM8 gave a speech as a guest speaker at VR international conference "CARVI2008" held in Victoria, Spain, from 12 to 13 June, 2008. Many experts in the VR field gatherd together to exchange their opinions and information about the latest VR technologies. International cases and their effects was presented and also VR utilization or our future product expansion was explained.

Via NORDICA 2008 Event Overview Page
Via Nordica (The 20th Nordic international road conference) hosted by Nordic road association was held in Helsinki, Finland from 9 to 11 June, 2008. Many experts and reseachers gathered together under one roof from all over the world and the latest solution of transportation technolgies was proposed. FORUM8 grabbed many visitors' attention, demonstrating UC-win/Road experience simulator.


 


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SEA JAPAN 2008
Overview page (Up&Coming May 2008 issue)
FORUM8 have exhibited on SEA JAPAN 2008 held on Tokyo BIG SIGHT Exhibition Center from 9 (Wednesday) - 11 (Friday) April 2008. This is the only event for a marine industry in Japan. So many of suppliers distributing products and services for marine industry and big buyers such as ship builders and ship owner have joined, that this event was successful.
"Maxsurf", ship design CAD software, "maritime EXODUS", evacuation analysis software, and "UC-win/Road for EXODUS", 3D VR software, have been mainly exhibited at our booth.

We have introduced the features of Maxsurf, the visible data of evacuation analysis result with "UC-win/Road for EXODUS" and exhibited small type drive simulator.
Compact type drive simulator with UC-win/Road Drive Simulator, grabbed many participants attention, giving a personal experience
On last day when new technology seminar was held, we have introduced new features of Maxsurf new version and maritime EXODUS which was released some days ago.
We are planing to exhibit in several fields of events, so we hope that you will be interested in our products.
SEA JAPAN 2008 FORUM8 booth


Maxsurf maritimeEXODUS
Case example of predicting the time
for passengers to evacuate from a large cruise ship




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The 2nd Shanghai Conference
Overview page (Up&Coming May 2008 issue)
The 2nd Shanghai Conference have been held, at Shanghai, China on March 13, 2008.in commemoration of establishment of Chinese support center which is run by Nepoch Consultant Co., Ltd. at Shanghai, China on March 13, 2008.
FORUM8 product users, university related people in manly on Shanghai city and our dealers in China have joined.
In this time, in cooperation on disaster prevention and rescue laboratory of Tongji University, where EXODUS/SMARTFIRE is used, we were allowed to use seminar rooms of new school building in the grounds of university.
Prof. Yo introduced a transportation design CAD system which was developed on its own and some design examples of China at his key note speech.
Mr. Alastair Maxwell of Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) introduced the optimization of traffic signal in U.K at his guest speech.
After their speeches finished, meeting was carried out. Some traffic experts of Tongji University and Shanghai police gathered together to examine to localize TRL products for Chinese market

Prof.MA ZHI LIANG of National Tsing Hua University and our part time adviser, delivered a lecture on the subject of importance of 3DVR simulation by utilizing IT for construction.
And more, disaster prevention and rescue laboratory of Tongji University, Fei CAI of Gunma University and Mr. Ryu of Hydro-soft.Technology Institute Co., Ltd delivered special lectures focusing on the latest case examples of 3DVR.

FORUM8 made a presentation focusing on UC-win/Road, UC-win/FRAME (3D), and UC-1 Chinese version such as Temporary sheathing work design, Retaining wall design, Abutment design (new).

Three years have passed since we have branched out into Chinese market.
The number of user has gradually increased to 70 companies which are consist of mainly UC-win/Road users.

In cooperate with joint ventures and dealers in China, we are going to actively engaged in making a presentation to exhibition or holding a seminar.

Overseas Agency list

Entrance of building at Tongji University Conference hall
MA ZHI LIANG of National Tsing Hua University Mr.Alastalr,Transport Research Laboratory




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PROJECT QATAR 2008 / CeBIT2008 / Intertraffic Amsterdam2008
The European 3D Community Event
(Up&Coming May 2008 issue)
PROJECT QATAR 2008Overview page
FORUM8 have exhibited "PROJECT QATAR 2008", International Trade Exhibition for Construction Technology, Building Materials, and Equipment & Environmental Technology in Doha, Qatar.
It was the first time for Japanese companies joined to this event, as the event had been held five times.
17 Japanese companies consist of construction environment and energy relation, have exhibited as "JAPAN TECHNOLOGY 2008", forming Japan pavilion, (Doha Japan construction, environment, industrial techno exhibition)

Multi billion dollar scale project is in progress anywhere, this is because construction department of Qatar is enjoying rapid economic and industrial progress.To showing and presentation of UC-win/Road attract the interest of much participants who have construction projects.

We will keep exhibiting drive simulator to be able to experienceto let you understand our UC-win/Road and introduce several example with UC-win/Road

FORUM8 booth

CeBIT2008Overview page
FORUM8 have exhibited the world's largest ICT exhibition "CeBIT" held in honobar, Germany.
In the corner named "ICT in Motion", Drive Simulator got participants' attention and this was introduced in local TV and event newspaper.
FORUM8 have done a debut in European market.
One of benefits during event is to visit other companys' boothes or touch the latest technologies of influential companies in the world.
FORUM8 booth was alive with traffic. FORUM8 was posted on CebitDirections,
this event's news magazine.

Intertraffic Amsterdam 2008Overview page
FORUM8 have joined Intertraffic Amsterdam 2008 which is the largest exhibition about transportation in Europe and heldtwice annually.

As Amsterdam plays a role in European hub, much participation joined from several European countries. FORU8 got participants' attention, exhibiting visible transportation and Drive Simulator.

It was so interested that some student brought his created data to our booth.

We have felt that we were able to receive good response to branch out into Benelux

Picture of hall




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TRBTransportation Research Board (TRB) 87th Annual Meeting
Overview (Up&Coming 2008 March issue)
TRB 87th Annual Meeting

Forum8 and Ensoft Inc, our distributor in USA, co-exhibited at Transportation Research Board (TRB) 87th Meeting held in Washington, D.C., USA for three days, from 13th to 15th January 2008. TRB is involved in transportation of all modes - highway, rail, freight, water and air. Engineers share and exchange ideas, that have been formulated all over the world, at this event. From this year, software and hardware developers can exhibit because exhibition space is allocated. Forum8 is highly regarded for introducing VR application cases in the field of civil engineering, through the application of UC-win/Road and UC-win/Road Drive Simulator. The next meeting will be held from 11th to 15th January 2009.

  Transportation Research Board (TRB) 88th Annual Meeting (scheduled)
 Date: 11th to 15th January 2009 Venue: Washington D.C




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imagina 2008
The European 3D Community Event
Overview (Up&Coming 2008 March issue)
The European 3D Community Event - Exhibition of UC-win/Road Drive Simulator.
Forum8 exhibited at "Imagina 2008", held in Principality of Monaco, from 30 January - 1 February 2008. Imagina was first established in 1982 by L'Institut national de l'audiovisuel (INA) as the first Computer Graphics (CG) event along with Nicograph in Japan and Siggraph in USA. CG creators all over the world created new technologies and ideas and the Principality of Monaco, who brought the rights from INA, started Imagina in 2002 to showcase all the latest available technologies.
43 different exhibits and several conferences have been held concurrently during the event under 5 different themes: Industry, Urbanism, Architecture, Landscape, Drive Simulator. We demonstrated and showcased several domestic case studies for various researchers in this field, using our 3D real-time Virtual Reality Software: UC-win/Road. As Monaco is famous for staging F1 Grand Prix races, we demonstrated the planned F1 course for the scheduled race in Arizona last December.
UC-win/Road is highly regarded for its accuracy in 3-dimensional road space creation with simple operations. Recently, the "Scenario function" and "log function", which are necessary for driving simulation, have been developed and they are provided to our clients as a customized version.
"Innosimulation Inc.", our business partner in Korea, exhibited "I-Drive", which has the same hardware specifications as our UC-win/Road Drive Simulator.
UC-win/Road Drive Simulator system has been adopted by Transport Research Laboratory (TRL), our business partner from UK. TRL utilizes "TRUCKSIM" (Truck Driving Simulator) and "CARSIM" (real car driving simulator) for advanced research purposes in the field of simulators. The software that is developed by TRL will be available for distribution in Japan very shortly. UC-win/Road Drive Simulator aroused interest by developing countries like Brazil, to potentially use UC-win/Road for improving transportation and reducing the incidences of traffic accidents.
Albert II, Prince of Monaco, came to our booth and experienced the UC-win/Road Drive Simulator. He drove very carefully along the roads, expressed his excitement about driving along roads in Japan and gave us his vote of thanks in Japanese.

imagina2008 hall entrance


imagina2008 hall and Monaco street


UC-win/Road Workshop
Albert II, Prince of Monaco has arrived at our booth. Albert II, Prince of Monaco
Forum8 will exhibit our "UC-win/Road Drive Simulator" for the upcoming exhibitions in Europe. CeBIT 2008 (Hannover), the largest ICT exhibition, 14th InterTraffic (Amsterdam) and Hannover Messe (Hannover) will be events lined-up for us in March and April this year. In addition, Forum8 will also exhibit in SIGGRAPH Asia, the sister event of Imagina in Singapore this December. Please come by to visit our booth at domestic and international events.

Event Information Page




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The 6th 3DVR Simulation Contest Report
Contest Overview Page (Up&Coming January2008 issue)
"The 6th 3DVR Simulation Contest by UC-win/Road" was held in last November.
Winning the "Software Product of the Year 2002" created an impetus to organize an annual 3D VR Contest, in a bid to encourage the popularization and spread for this technology. Since then, we have received many excellent projects and our annual contest has been used as the place in which technologies are presented with regards to the advanced usage of UC-win/Road.

The presentation of nominated 14 works was held in November 21st, 2007 at the big hall A in Tokyo Conference Center Shinagawa. A Big hall with a seating capacity of 200 was filled with many participants, including researchers interested in attending the symposium as well as involved individuals people from overseas. Starting from this year, a panel of experts was invited to be the honorary members of our selection committee for the preliminary and final selection. We would like to increase the value of the contest by welcoming renowned experts who have extensive knowledge pertaining to landscape design, town creation and design technologies. The preliminary selection was held by 3 of the selection committees on November 8th prior to the main selection at Tokyo head office. There were votes for every entry from the committee but in the end a tough decision had to be made and the top 14 works were selected.
Hall/ Tokyo Conference Center Shinagawa VR contest Scene of the preliminary round
Many participants from overseas Previous contest winners had their works
displayed on the panels.

6 of 14 entries were from overseas. In addition to 4 entries from China, entries from Arizona, Phoenix, USA and Turkey were nominated. "Grand prix", "Excellence award", "Idea award" and "Essence award" were selected based on 70% of votes cast by attendees in the hall and 30% by the selection panel. The level and quality of entries that we receive is increasing as the years go by. It appears that the transition to a VR world seems to be close, based on the review by Seki Fumio. "Design Award", "Community Improvement Award" and "Art Award", "Judgment Special Award" started from this year and each member of the selection committee made their comments on each winning entry. The next contest, which is increasingly successful over the years, will be held on November 22nd, 2008. We will plan for next year's event, taking into consideration various opinions, with much care. We welcome your participation in our next contest.
Winners
Winner movies can be viewed via http://vr.forum8.co.jp/english
GRAND PRIX
"Ishikawa-cho Junction Simulation"
Kanagawa Construction Bureau, Metropolitan Expressway Company Limited
The exit of the Metropolitan bay-coast express way area was newly completed at the Ishikawa-cho junction of the Metropolitan expressway, Yokohane line, on Wednesday, November 21.
Direct access will make it much more convenient. It changed from a mere coastal line to well-known tourist spots in Yokohama such as Chinatown, Yamashita park, and Kannai district where main government agencies (Yokohama city hall, Kanagawa prefectural office) are clustered. UC-win/Road shows in great detail, the activities of possible access routes. This VR simulation model has been used to announce and explain during their meeting, using displays of exit routes, signs and videos on the homepage.
This project was open to the public at 15:00 on the day of the contest. As compared to the actual scene on site, the validation results have been proven to be highly accurate.
EXCELLENCE AWARD
"SMARTWAY 2007 VR Simulation"
National Institute for Land and Infrastructure Management, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport / Highway Industry Development Organization
The future generation car navigation system can be shown in the drive simulation.
4 different scenarios: merging support, electronic sign, front obstacle information, hazard anticipation can be expressed. A real car driving experience on the Metropolitan highway was conducted at the event.
IDEA AWARD
"Driving Ability Measurement for Senior Citizen VR Simulation"
Meijo University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Information Engineering
To measure the driving abilities of senior citizens, create a VR simulation data.
Express driving images by linking up a 3 monitor drive simulator with a high degree of precision.
The system which can measure driving abilities of senior citizens, integrating the relevant features of the program like range of view is currently under development.
ESSENCE AWARD
"Asuke By-pass Road Simulation"
Meishi Road Buresau, Chubu Regional Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport
To promote a better understanding of the Asuke Bypass among the residents, which was scheduled to be ready next spring, we revised the VR data by creating the script of a round trip on Asuke By-pass. We made use of the characteristic of VR, which allows the realistic experience of the completed Asuke By-pass.
The narration in dialogue can allow everybody from young to old to enjoy and understand the attractiveness of the Asuke Bypass.
OVERSEA'S AWARD
"Qingdao JiaoZhou bay Tunnel Project"
Nepoch Consultant Co., Ltd.
The utilization of VR simulation on tunnel construction and the simulated results by EXODUS, SMARTFIRE are expressed via UC-win/Road.
Qingdao JiaoZhou bay tunnel construction is integral in connecting major zones in Qingdao city and areas located in town peripheries.
The construction of this tunnel is anticipated to raise total profits by significantly improving the investment environment of the western island and promoting the rapid development of the economy of the new ward.
Qingdao JiaoZhou bay tunnel plays a big part in realizing its dream as a big international city.
HONORABLE JUDGE AWARD
Community improvement AWARD :
Mr. Hiroo Kasagi, NPO Chiiki Zukuri Kobo (Community Improvement Studio)
"Katsunuma Station Square Park Simulation"
Huyo architect office Co., Ltd.
In the proposal of the JR Chuo Line Katsunuma budokyo station square, Kita-ku area park of Katsunuma-cho, Koshu-shi, Yamanashi, the simulation was carried out using UC-win/Road.

A pedestrian bridge was erected on the old home site, allowing individuals to cross over a prefectural road with Jinroku cherry blossom trees. To build the bridge, the collective method was adopted by 225 tons of large-sized crane. It was hypothesized that the impact of traffic on the prefectural road was minimal. We shall take a look at Katsunuma budounooka park, which includes lodging.
HONORABLE JUDGE AWARD
Design AWARD : Mr. Fumio Seki, Taisei Corporation
"Digital Phoenix Project by UC-win/Road II"
Arizona State University
This model was made to visualize the state of the phoenix inner-city in past, present, and future as part of the research project named "the digital phoenix".
Different outlooks of the down-town in 2005, 2007, and 2009 can be observed by selecting past, present, and future options.
In this project, a preset volume of 5000 cars were made to park in the parking lot of the international convention facility from the north, south, east and west entrances. Another situation involved the operation of the LRT in 10 minutes interval. Different buildings, blocks and city design can then be evaluated.
HONORABLE JUDGE AWARD
Art AWARD : Mr. Shinsuke Kitagawa, Yachiyo Engineering Co., Ltd
"Hosei University around Ichigaya Campus VR Simulation"
Civil and Environmental Engineering , Faculty of Engineering and Design, Hosei University.
Research took into consideration, ecology and history, during the construction of the trench and surrounding environment. A sustainable design and characteristic restoration, in addition to the expansion of Ichigaya where faculty of Engineering and Design is, was planned. VR data, with the primary focus on the external trench was created with a high degree of precision.
The renovation of the faculty is in line with the college song "catch fireflies at the trench outside the gate"



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1st International VR Symposium
Organized by an International Academic Group for Worldwide Deployment of VR Studio
Conference Overview (Up&Coming '08 New Year Special Publication)

Organizing a Working Group to Study 3D VR Modeling by Scholars in Architectural Areas Throughout the World and the Latest Case Studies


FORUM 8 held the"1st International VR Symposium" in November 20 at the Seminar Room in GT Tower Tokyo Headquarters.
Apart from this, FORUM 8 conducts "3D VR Simulation Contest by UC-win/Road" as a competition of excellent VR works in November every year, since the Company received "Software Product of the Year 2002" for "UC-win/Road", 3D real-time virtual reality (VR) software package, of which the first version was released in May 2000. The contest has been held year after year, and the 6th contest was hosted at Tokyo Conference Center in Shinagawa in November 21, 2007. This is based on the purpose of improving modeling technology as well as promoting development of advanced and diverse cases of pratical use through technological presentations.
"UC-win/Road" supports not only Japanese but also multiple languages such as English, Chinese, and Korean. Consequently, in recent years, opportunities to utilize "UC-win/Road" have been steadily growing inside and outside the country. Reflecting this current, participants of the contest from abroad are becoming obvious.
Moreover, prior to the release of "VRStudio", now under development as the strategic VR product for the next term, FORUM 8 decided to form an academic group with focus on VR and to operate international symposium in concert with the above contest, considering international deployment with "VR-Studio" as its core.

Positioning of "World 8" and the Symposium that Gather Experts from 8 Universities in the World

"International VR Symposium" started to take shape when FORUM 8 participated in SIGGRAPH 2007, held at San Diego, CA, in the United States in August 2007. In the exhibition, FORUM 8 invited Assistant Professor Yoshihiro Kobayashi of School of Architecture & landscape Architecture, College of Architecture & Environmental Design, Arizona State University, to give lectures at the booth as one of the centerpiece programs of FORUM 8's exhibition, when he proposed the idea and agreed on working to realize it.
However, as it was decided urgently, it was difficult to secure a hall according to the schedule in connection with the above contest. Consequently, the symposium was held in the seminar room of the Company this time. Instead, it is already decided that the "2nd International VR Symposium" will be held in Nobember 19, 2008, at Tokyo Conference Center in Shinagawa, where the "7th 3D VR Simulation Contest by UC-win/Road" will also be held on the 20th next day to match the schedule.

In holding the symposium, Prof. Yoshihiro Kobayashi first mentioned in his speech that in the present situaton, most of the virtual reality models are just static models and thereby don't treat traffic or human behavior. However, according to him, there are a lot of needs to visualize such elements as dynamic models. In addition, although many related ideas and technologies have been developed, they are based on different platforms from each other, making it difficult to share the knowledge.
He then presented the vision in three items that are necessary to realize:
1) Explore a new VR application with dynamic agents and contents including traffic and human models
2) Develop a new framework of research and development between architectural schools and software developing company, such as Forum 8
3) Create a worldwide professional working group on 3D city modeling and visualization using a common platform.

Among them, as he continued, the missions of this event are supposed as follows.
- Create (Demonstrate) VR models using UC-win/Road
- Share the knowledge of 3D modeling and visualization through a common platform
- Develop tools for UC-win/Road through these activities during a year ahead.
He maintains that the result should be tied to such values as Worldwide knowledge accumulation, Collaboration between education and practice, and Merge of research tools and commercial products.

These ideas given by Prof. Kobayashi and the management policy of Forum 8 to aim at worldwide deployment in the area of VR reached agreement. As a result, concrete schedule was planned as follows:
1) 1st VR Symposium on November 20, 2007, to announce establishment of a worldwide working group.
2) Workshop at Arizona State University in summer 2008, where each member will bring the VR models he has created.
3) 2nd VR Symposium in November 2008 to present VR models and research projects.

The members who approved of these objectives and joined an academic research group "World8" are 9 people from 8 universities as follows:
- Kostas Terzidis, Assoicate Professor of Architecrute, Graduate School of Design, Harvard University; and Mr. Taro Narahara, Doctor of Design Student, Graduate School of Design, Harvard University (USA)
- Michael Jemtrud, Associate Professor of Architecture and Director, School of Architecture, McGill University (Canada)
- Carlos Calderon, Professor in Architectural Informatics, School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape, New Castle University (UK)
- Wael Abdelhameed, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, College of Engineering, University of Bahrain (Bahrain)
- Ronald Hawker, Associte Professor, Art and Design, College of Arts and Sciences, Dubai Campus, Zeyed University (UAE)
- Claudio Labarca Montoya, Associate Professor, Faculty of Architecture, Design and Urban Studies, Pontificial Catholic University of Chile (Chile)
- Tomohiro Fukuda, Associate Professor of Environmental Design, Sustainable Energy & Environmental engineering, Osaka University (Japan)
- Yoshihiro Kobayashi, Assistant Professor, School of Architecture & Landscape Architecture, College of Architecture & Environmental Design, Arizona State University (USA)
In future, World8 is planning to
- Demonstrate their VR models to other countries,
- Develop worldwide research projects funded by science foundations,
- Publish conference & journal papers, and
- Develop educational programs.


Cases of Practical Uses in Various Countries Gathered Together

In the "1st International VR Symposium" as the starting activity, the sponsor (Yuji Ito, President of FORUM 8 Co., Ltd) and Prof. Yoshihiro Kobayashi explained the points of "World8" and the Symposium. Next, the members of "World8" gave presentations in turn about their own researches along with cases of practical use of VR models.
First, Prof. Yoshihiro Kobayashi of Arizona State University and a project researcher of the same university talked about "Digital Phoenix Project", a project aiming at forming a 3D platform with downtown development of Phoenix City in mind, including a new campus plan of the University. Prof. Kostas Terzidis gave a presentation about "VR and BIM (Building Information Modeling) Integration", and Mr. Taro Narahara about "Spatial Designs Using Agent-based Models". Prof. Michael Jemtrud presented on "Performance and Participation: Remote Collaboration in Design, Engineering, and Art over Next Generation Networks"; Prof. Calderon of New Castle University on "Extending Interactive 3D Graphics Technologies"; Prof. Wael Abdelhameed of University of Bahrain on "WIIKIYO-E System: A 3D modeling and design sharing system"; Prof. Ronald Hawker of Zayed University on "Recreating Ras al-Khaimah: The Rams-Dhayyah Corridor in the United Arab Emirates"; Prof. Claudio Labarca Montoya of Pontifical Catholic University of Chile on "Exploring Urban Modelng and Visualization: academic and professional experiences in Chile"; and Prof. Tomohiro Fukuda of Osaka University on "Environmental Design & CG/VR: Forward to living symbiotically".

Moreover, in this symposium, two speakers gave key speeches in addition to the presentations by these "World8" members. Prof. Woon-Sung Lee, Deen of Graduate School of Automotive Engineering, Kookmin University talked about "Drivng Simulation for Traffic safety"; and Prof. Leen-Seok kang, Professor, Construction Eng. & Mgmt./Dept. of Civil engineering, Gyeongsang National University about "Application of 4D CAD System for Civil Engineering Project". Also, Mr. Neil Paulley, Director of TRL Academy, TRL gave an invited speech on "Transport modelling in the UK"; and as the last speaker, Mr. Fumio Seki of Taisei Corporation gave a special speech on the cases of practical use of VR models with focus on the Fuji Speedway Project.

World8: Prof. Yoshihiro Kobayashi,
Arizona State University (USA)

World8: Prof. Kostas Terzidis,
Harvard University (USA)

World8: Mr. Taro Narahara,
Harvard University (USA)

World8: Prof. Michael Jemtrud,
McGill University (Canada)

World8: Prof. Carlos Calderon,
New Castle University (UK)

World8: Prof. Wael Abdelhameed,
University of Bahrain (Barain)

World8: Prof. Ronald Hawker,
Zayed University (UAE)

World8: Prof. Claudio Labarca Montoya,
Pontifical Catholic University of Chile (Chile)

World8: Prof. Tomohiro Fukuda,
Osaka University (Japan)

Key Speaker: Prof. Woon-Sung Lee,
Kookmin University (Korea)

Key Speaker: Prof. Leen-Seok Kang,
Gyeongsang National University (Korea)

Invited Speaker: Mr. Neil Paulley,
Director of TRL Academy, TRL (UK)
Special Speaker: Mr. Fumio Seki,
Taisei Corporation (Japan)




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Indiga ITPI -Workshop Report-
Contest Overview Page (Up&Coming January 2008 issue)
On November 30th, 2007, FORUM8 held a Workshop on Virtual Reality & Simulation in Planning and Management in Institute of Town Planners, Delhi, India (http://itpi.org.in/).

A hall with a seating capacity of 140 was full on the day of the workshop that was held in collaboration between ITPI and FORUM8, with the support of the School of Planning and Architecture(http://www.spa.ernet.in/)in the same premises.

After experts in each field explained of the current situation in the country as well as the issues of concern during the sessions, FORUM8 introduced the case examples and proposed the solution by using UC-win/Road
It was a meaningful workshop for many people and we received many queries and feedback during the break and lunch hours.
We presented the case study of the High Capacity Bus System in Delhi, which has both advantages and disadvantages. This was reported in Times of India on the following day and we foresee that this workshop is our entry ticket into the India market.
Entrance hall of ITPI Center is Mr. Hiraishi from the Japanese Embassy
An atmosphere of the hall
(a participant from Nepal)
Q&A ChairmanCo-Chairman




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Seminar Reports Back Number
2011201020092008200720062005


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