Modeling the Environment

A single-source guide to harnessing the power of 3D visualization tools for analysis and representation of landscapes Current technology allows designers to model environmental phenomena and space in new and exciting ways that go beyond the two-dimensional plane. The models, illustrations, and animations that can be created usher in a new paradigm of landscape representation that can become analytical tools as well as beautiful imagery. The text focuses on digital modeling methods that can be used to express rich environments using digital tools to develop, composite, and animate scenes. This full-color book provides coverage of 3D visualization tools for land planning and landscape architecture. The methods and theories in Modeling the Environment present landscape representation around a core set of ideas—scene, object, terrain, environment/atmosphere, time/dynamics, and the composite—that centers representation on human experience. Supported by www.lab.visual-logic.com, a website offering tutorials and forums, the text shows you how to use Autodesk 3ds Max to create dynamic landscape environments while also referring to a range of other tools including Google SketchUp, Autodesk Maya, and AutoCAD Civil 3D. It also demonstrates how to integrate 3D visualization tools into existing workflows, and offers critical coverage of intelligent drawings and representations, giving you a glimpse at the future of the profession. This book: Includes sections intended to build upon one another in order to understand the environment as a composite representation of multiple systems interacting Shows how to integrate 3D visualization tools into existing workflows, as opposed to offering an entirely new workflow Emphasizes modeling, animation, and simulation as both design analysis tools and presentation tools Modeling the Environment is essential reading for professionals in landscape architecture, urban planning and design, architecture, and related disciplines who are looking to be at the forefront of technology.

Foreword Preface Acknowledgments Part 1: Introduction Chapter 1: Overview of Media Chapter 2: Digital Media Industries Chapter 3: Digital Media Chapter 4: Representation, Illustration and Simulation Chapter 5: Design Practice Part 2: Scene Chapter 6: Diorama: Setting the Stage Chapter 7: Arranging the Elements Chapter 8: Composition & Views Chapter 9: Movement in the Environment Part 3: Object Chapter 10: Object Chapter 11: Overview Modeling Chapter 12: Using CAD Linework Chapter 13: Polygon Modeling Chapter 14: Spline Modeling Chapter 15: Materiality Part 4: Terrain Chapter 16: Terrain . Surface Chapter 17: Terrain Construction Chapter 18: Terrain Modeling . Meshes Chapter 19: Surface Materials Chapter 20: Distributions Part 5: Atmosphere Chapter 21: Lighting . Atmosphere Chapter 22: Rendering and Lighting Systems Chapter 23: Atmospheric Conditions Chapter 24: Advanced and Realtime Lighting Systems Chapter 25: Temporal Atmospheres Part 6: Simulation Chapter 26: Animation Chapter 27: Linking . Controllers Chapter 28: Animation Techniques Chapter 29: Simulation . Rigid Bodies Chapter 30: Simulation . Particles and Soft Bodies Chapter 31: Scripting Part 7: Composite Chapter 32: Composite Imagery Chapter 33: Composite . Scene States . Batch Chapter 34: Illustrative Composite Chapter 35: Animated Composite Bibliography Image Credits Index