Can I borrow your models?

nemccurd · Post by **nemccurd** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 1:01 am

Hi --

I'll get straight to the point and explain later. I'm a grad student at UCSD, and I need realistic models (world, objects, and people) to help me run an experiment on ubiquitous video. I will not use your models for any other purpose and I will credit you in any papers that I publish. If you're willing, read on.

I have created a system called RealityFlythrough (http://www.realityflythrough.com) that allows users to immersively explore real-world environments live and real-time. My technique does not create a perfect model of the space, but it is good enough for most situations. To ascertain how well it works and to discover what cognitive processes allow it to work, I'd like to run a series of experiments. The user would first explore a world that has "perfect geometry", and then explore worlds that have been decimated in various ways, moving through one that mimics RealityFlythrough along the way. The only way I can test everything I need to test is if I use 3d computer generated worlds. The "perfect geometry" case will be your world, and then I'll decimate it from there. I don't have the artistic talent to generate realistic 3d models and I've had a hard time finding commericial ones that I can "borrow" temporarily. (Any pointers here would be welcome, too. I was able to extract some BSP's from various games, but had less luck with animated meshes).

I'd prefer real-world environments over fantasy ones, but don't let that stop you from responding. I'd rather have something than nothing.

Thanks a lot. I'm happy to explain more, sign NDA's, whatever.

Neil
http://www.realityflythrough.com

Jon · Post by **Jon** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 1:14 am

What types of models are you looking for? There are freely available 3d models on the web for various things, so we need to narrow things down.

What subjects?
What formats?

nemccurd · Post by **nemccurd** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 5:54 am

I realized after I posted that message that I wasn't quite explicit enough. Thanks for giving me an excuse to add on to my post.

Here's what I know how to do: I can get BSP's out of older games, and I managed to import some models of people (md2 models), but I wasn't successful getting them animated. I also realized that creating a "world" is more complex than just sticking some meshes in a BSP. You have to put objects in the right place and you have to have the people doing the right moves.

So, my initial post wasn't accurate. What I would ideally like is a complete "world" with all of the objects in the world placed and animations of people doing sensible things (e.g. sitting down on chairs, walking through corridors (not through walls), etc.). I know I can do this myself, but I'm not really in the business of creating games or virtual spaces, so I'd rather take advantage of what others have done. I'm also not going to have the skill to make the world as realistic as what you guys are capable of -- and the more realistic my experiment, the more confident I'll be in the accuracy of the results.

I hope I'm not coming off as a freeloader. Well, I am, I guess.

I'm just hoping that I can find someone who has a semi-realistic finished or unfinished game who is willing to let me play with the source code for awhile and trusts that I'm not going to capitalize on it in any way. In return, all I can offer is an ack in a paper.

To be more specific on the kind of environment I want: several indoor rooms and several outdoor spaces. Each space would have one or two animated people, and some objects that fit the environement. Tables, chairs, trees, cars, whatever.

Thanks, guys.

Neil

Jon · Post by **Jon** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 6:53 am

Take a look at turbosquid and see if they have anything you want. They have free models in addition to their commercial ones.