In addition to modelling and editing functions for metaverse, new functions and enhancements will be added in each category in Shade3D Ver.24. For example, road alignment and data exchange will be enhanced for BIM/CIM support. In this topic, we will introduce the overview of the main functions. (The screen shows the features under development and is subject to change.)

Road Alignment

It will support data exchange of road alignment in LandXML, which is the standard format in the civil engineering field. The user interface for editing longitudinal profiles has been enhanced for easier editing of road profiles, and swept surfaces have been enhanced for more flexible creation of road surfaces.

Polygon Reduction

The new release includes new features and enhancements that will be useful when reducing models for the metaverse. In addition to new functions for converting near-landscape models into billboard and box models for far-landscape, the polygon reduction will be improved for practicality, such as UV maintenance.

Fig.1 Billboard and box model converter

Standard Bone

When outputting humanoid characters and other objects into the metaverse, complex work was required to set up joint structures because each tool had different specifications. The newly added standard bones support the creation of highly compatible joint structures by adding restrictions to conventional bones. In addition, presets for standard human body bones allow for efficient character creation.

Fig.2 Human body structure made with standard bone

Improved PBR Material

New parameters added to the PBR material, which is a physics-based texture rendering, are Clear Coat (secondary gloss) and Sheen (cloth). This is also be reflected in the output to glTF and improves the expressiveness, including the metaverse.

Fig.3 Effect of Clear Coat and Sheen

Input/Output Support in KTX Format (GPU compressed texture format)

The new version supports the input and output of image files in KTX (Khronos TeXture), a GPU compressed texture format. Including KTX textures in glTFs can reduce the download size. In addition, using texture formats natively supported by the GPU can reduce the memory size on the GPU and improve performance.

BIM/CIM Design Check Tool (separately sold option)

It will support IFC 4.3 input/output, which is being used as the next version of IFC. In addition, we are verifying the design check function for compatibility with the 'BIM/CIM Standard Guidelines (March 2023)'.

Block UI Programming Tool (separately sold option)

The interface will be expanded to be specific to each of the business and education applications. The toolbox can be modified to suit the intended use. We will also improve the operability of the toolbox and workspace and add new blocks.

Fig.4 Block UI Programming Tool Interface for business use.