Rhino plug-in is a plug-in for displaying the 3D model created by Rhinoceros®, a 3DCAD software developed by Robert McNeel & Associates, Inc., into the 3D space of UC-win/Road.

By the communication format a3s, developed by FORUM8, data communication is performed between UC-win/Road (server) and Rhinoceros® (client), reflecting the editing situation of the 3D model by Rhinoceros® to UC-win/Road in real time. The editing of the model while placing it into the 3D space becomes possible, improving the efficiency of the simulation.

By setting the origin coordinate of the model in the 3D space of the UC-win/Road, the created model can be placed in an arbitrary place. Also, by implementing the rotation angle correction, the flexibility of the arrangement improves. From the set up origin, it is easy to distinguish as each axes of direction x, y, and z is displayed, making the arrangement of the model easy.

Correction of the display position

As for the UC-win/Roads that are becoming a server, a password used in connection authentication can be set. Only users authorized by each server will be able to connect, which makes it possible to keep the security of the data created by UC-win/Road.

Models created by Rhinoceros ® can be saved in UC-win/Road. Saved models can be displayed in UC-win/Road even when it is not connected to Rhinoceros®, making the utilization to other things such as presentations possible. By connecting with Rhinoceros®, the editing of models is also possible.

The drawing style in UC-win/Road can be chosen from the 3 types, wire-frame rendering, shader rendering, and normal rendering. Also, the crude density of the polygon can be specified, performing an appropriate display depending on the environment and use possible.

Setting of the drawing style
Setting of the drawing quality

We are planning to specify the origin coordinate of the model in each client, placing the model in an arbitrary position as well as dealing with the confirmation function of the viewpoint of the surrounding.

We are planning to add a function that displays textures that are put on to a model in UC-win/Road. The model of Rhinoceros® can be reproduced in more detail, thus improvement in the quality of the simulation of UC-win/Road can be expected.

Due to the combination of VR-Cloud® and Rhino Plug-in, browsing of Rhinoceros® models by the users of VR-Cloud® becomes possible. Due to this, effects such as improved efficiency of consensus building and improved quality of simulations can be expected. Also, communication between clients of VR-Cloud® and Rhinoceros® by a3s is taken into consideration.

Before the VR-Cloud® Ver.5, only a trial of the 3DVR created by UC-win/Road was possible, but in Ver.6, it is planned to deal with the 3D data editing function from clients. By carrying out the arrangement, move, and deletion of models from the clients, we attempt further utilization improvement as a consensus building tool.

(Up&Coming '14 Summer Issue)