Before we began our practice we were advocates for 3d design software in the offices where we worked. Much of the Cad software of the time had 3d integrated but the quality of the images was weak at best, and unless a lot of time was invested in working with the software it was impossible to yield friendly images. In 1994 we began using a 3d application called UpFront which promised a sketch like working environment and toned, shadowed images on the fly. It more or less delivered on that promise and allowed us to regularly develop simple schematic models with which to explore design decisions. You can see many images from this software on our site. This also enabled us to create animated walk throughs, and object files. We began using these in 1994, 95 when such things were typically done by specialty shops that did nothing but computer graphics for architects. Our first large animation was for project 9405. We produced a file of 640 x 480 resolution that was 2 1/2 minutes long. It took two days to render and occupied 40mbs of our 240mb hard drive! As computers advanced UpFront unfortunately got left behind. While well ahead of its time it failed to capture a large user base and the company threw in the towel sometime in 1997. In the meantime computers have advanced tremendously and the render that took two days in 1994 could be done in about 15 minutes today. Other advances in computer video technology was what really put UpFront behind. Without being rewritten to take advantage of these new technologies the software was locked in the past. Now comes SketchUp - oddly similar name - A new 3d design software package promising a sketch like environment for designing. The rendering of geometry and shadows could now be done real time, as you manipulate the model on screen, without pausing for screen redraws. We are up to our necks in this software now learning how to leverage it for our projects. It is showing great promise and we are excited about the possibilities we see. One of our "training" exercises was the creation of this automobile model from design sketches prepared by graphic artist Kirk Millett. Kirk is a talented graphic artist doing work in all kinds of media, but we like his Flash animations. If you are a Chuck Jones fan you should check out his web site at http://www.kirkmillett.com/ We have also become involved in the creation of 3d content for a flight simulator called TargetWare. This is a volunteer effort of part time programmers, 3d and 2d artists, and historic researchers. We have prepared low polygon models of several terrain objects for the TargetRabual server project and have learned the ropes of 3d content creation and texture mapping. A Grumman Bearcat. This is approximately 3000 polygon model created with Meshwork, a shareware 3d application. A B26 just beginning in Sketchup.

Pioneers, huh? No, we have not been doing research or writing software, or inventing new technology. But for years we have been taking the tools that were on the edge and applying them in our practice. We have chosen certain 3d tools that seemed to have promise for making 3d design an accessible tool that could inform our design process. At the same time we have resisted other 3d tools that we thought made the process too difficult despite great promise in other ways. We believe we have been very successful, applying 3d design and imaging to projects which traditionally would not have seen that kind of study. Our clients will bear witness to the fact that these tools help them envision what we are setting out to create, and helps them make better decisions. Plus we have to admit, its a lot of fun.