Virtual House Modeling

When coming to the topic of 2D architectural blueprints, people find it difficult to understand and visualize the actual structural output of these models. Not only that, but architects need modern software and tools to cater to the needs of their customers and to make sure that their customers are

Project Title

Virtual House Modeling

Project Area of Specialization

Augmented and Virtual Reality

Project Summary

When coming to the topic of 2D architectural blueprints, people find it difficult to understand and visualize the actual structural output of these models. Not only that, but architects need modern software and tools to cater to the needs of their customers and to make sure that their customers are on the same perceptive level as them. Virtual House Modeling proposes a system which provides 3D virtualized model of these 2D architectural blueprints in a very effective and efficient way. These 3D models give user an accurate representation of their 2D blueprints and makes it easier for any layman to visualize their structures, whether it be a 2D structure of house, office or any building. The Virtual House Modeling system makes use of the .dxf file made in AUTOCAD, extracts all the coordinates of each object such as walls, door, windows etc. from it and then translates them to be used in for further processing in Unity 3D. Once in Unity 3D, these coordinate points are used to calculate the dimensions of each object to create a 3D model from them. This 3D model can then be sent on Oculus to be viewed in a virtualized environment by the user. Virtual House Modeling will provide the user with a very fast user friendly interface to work with and will automate the time consuming process of converting a 2D architectural blueprint into 3D models.

Project Objectives

Over the last decade, the predicament of visual perception, in perceiving the manifestation of various architectural drawings has caught the attention of many. This notion has become a spindle of thought and motivation for stimulating the mind.  The tendency to rely on perceptible insight is what causes our imagination to thrive. However, the illustration of a design, to be optimally portrayed, with sufficient accuracy, by the human mind remained constricted.

The significance of 3D Architectural rendering services has stupendously increased throughout the years. The world of today, relies more on visual perception, rather than obscure facts and figures. Opting for a decision is dependent on thought and observation. Hence, the struggle to accurately pertain to reality remains a stagnant dilemma, and has adhered to be the motivation for Virtual House Modeling.
 

Virtual house modeling, proposes an ingenious take on the matter. Given a 2D architectural floor plan/ blueprint, a 3D model is generated through an automated conversion process. The output model is then visualized in the virtual realm via projection on Oculus Rift CV1, for an indulgent and diverse client experience.

The project aims to provide the general public with the benefit of viewing their desired architectural structures, before construction. An individual could have an outlook and exposure to their potential house from the comfort of their home. The project focuses to take 2D architectural blueprints, understandable by mostly the architects, and convert them into user friendly 3D models, giving a wider and constructive exposure.

The major motivation of the project aims to virtualize the impacting imagination, appealing to the general consent of the common layman. Nowadays, as the clients are becoming more conscious about the design and vitality of the building in real scenarios. Architects have to produce the animation of the building even before contract signing of the final design. The project will initiate with only the 2D floor plan of each level of a building or house etc. and will provide a 3D virtual view of the model on Oculus Rift CV1 for better visualization. As of today, architects and engineers are shifting from 2D CAD models to architectural 3D rendering which makes the above mentioned details more justified. 

Project Implementation Method

The process flow initiates with either the creation of a floor wise 2D blueprint of a house on AutoCAD software or simply selecting a prebuilt file of format .dxf. In the absence of a previously present file, the blueprint can be formed by an architect or anyone who has the basic skills to use AutoCAD. The contents of the blueprint, which comprise the doors, windows and walls, are created on a different and distinct layer so they can be identified specifically later. The blueprint is saved in .dxf format for further manipulation.  Now, the file is ready to be used in the Virtual House Modeling software.

In the presence of the blueprint file, the graphical user interface (GUI) enables the user to browse the relevant file via the software and select the .dxf file. Once that is done, the user is provided the option of generating the 3D model by clicking on the “Generate File” button. By using a python script integrated in the software to extract the 2D data of the geometry, the software will generate a text file which will include all the 2D structures (lines and arcs etc.) in the .dxf file along with their details. These details will include the start point, end point and object type (line, arc and polyline etc.) according to the coordinates of the x-y plane and geometry respectively.

At the backend, the generation of the data file is achieved by using a Python Library called ezdxf. Python was originally used to create 2D models in .dxf files of AutoCAD, contrary to its use, certain modifications and manipulated has to be done in functions in order for them to be used for extracting data points of each structure. Once the text file containing the details of the 2D blueprint is created, it is then sent to Unity 3D to be used for 3D rendering. Through C# scripting in Unity, the data file is read with values for each respective 2D structure, along with 3D rendering of the model. The script written in C# is used to generate a 3D model in the Scene of Unity. The C# script identifies all different types of objects and reads their coordinates simultaneously. These coordinates are then used to compute the length and width of each 3D object using mathematical functions. After this, the dimensions of these objects are scaled to be fit in the default terrain boundary. Different functions are then used to create 3D models of each object using their dimensions in the Unity Scene. The walls, doors and windows have been given default textures which can be changed as desired. Once the Unity Scene is played, the 3D model of the whole 2D blueprint can be seen on the screen as well as on Oculus Rift. 

For better visualization, the project has been linked with Oculus Rift. A virtual reality experience dictates Oculus to be integrated with Unity, and setting a player   which will then act as the user. The player settings and navigation features are enabled to make sure that once in the virtual reality environment, the user can easily move around the house.

Benefits of the Project

Using Virtual House Modeling ensures that any user of the software will get an accurate and realistic representation of their 2D Model which they can view in a virtual reality environment using Oculus. This will not only ensure better understanding of the 2D model by the user, but will let them easily adjust or change any features in the current model without any hassle or loss of money.

Technical Details of Final Deliverable

Virtual House Modelling does not have any special requirements for the user interface. The only task the user has to perform, is to load a floor plan file with .dxf extension or to insert any object in the area such as bed in the model. For that purpose we have tried to keep the UI as simple as possible in order to keep the user away from unnecessary distractions. The software demands multiple interfaces at multiple levels. First, the software begins with a simple interface which allowsthe user to select the floor plan file, and generate the data file which will be needed in later steps. User can navigate through folders before selecting the .dxf file of his choice. Extensive error handling has been done for the users ease such as showing of error message if the file is not .dxf extension.

After fetching the data from the .dxf file it is transmitted to unity automatically where based on this data a 3D model is created. We have also provided a user interface in unity for making things much easier for the user.

Virtual House Modelling goes through different levels of communication, starting from an AutoCAD file to 3D model. Firstly data is extracted from the AutoCAD file with the help of python script which filters out the relevant data and passes it to unity for further processing. Data is in the form of points in the text file which is then taken by unity for further processing. Unity takes on that data runs algorithm on it to form a 3D model which is then exported to oculus.

Hardware Requirement

1. Oculus
2. Graphic Card
3. Monitor
4. Keyboard
5. Mouse
6. CPU

Software Requirement

1. Operating System( Windows 7 or above)
2. AutoCAD (2013 or above)
3. Unity 3D
4. Python

Final Deliverable of the Project

HW/SW integrated system

Type of Industry

Others

Technologies

Augmented & Virtual Reality

Sustainable Development Goals

Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Required Resources

If you need this project, please contact me on contact@adikhanofficial.com