The first 3D yacht renderings we produced were of a viking ship, it also had realistic sailing dynamics – with a few water issues! Rendering technology and speed has increased dramatically making high quality visualization accessible to more businesses for more applications.

The reasons behind producing high quality virtual images can be many – including to sell or communicate an idea, to promote a new development, to communicate visual aspects to a client, to gain resource consent, to generate attention in the media or simply because it aids in the design and development process. Renderings, also known as photo-real 3D illustration, is the art of creating virtual images or animations that appear so real one cannot tell the difference between a photo and something made by 3D Graphic Artists.

When Urban Voyage is contacted by an Architect, Developer, Advertising Agency, or similar we go through our unique process of understanding the intent, purpose, goals and objectives of the project. This provides the background to help us find the ‘essence’ and ‘spirit’ within the architect’s plans. To begin we work from hand sketches, 2D drawings, CAD files and sometimes 3D models are provided to us which makes our job a real pleasure. The process starts with modeling from the plans to create the base model, once the base model has been approved by the customer, we work through creating realistic textures, surfaces and ‘materiality’.

Views are then chosen based on particular features or aspects that need to be shown and this normally involves producing quick 3D renderings to get the general feel for camera and scene placement. We consider the camera’s field of view (camera to subject distance and focal length of the lens), crop factor, framing, perspective distortion, and other important factors. When the client is happy with the view, the Urban Voyage team proceed to ‘dress’ or ‘stage’ the environment, similar to what happens on film sets (just virtually). These objects can be famous design furniture, modern art or other elements that help create warmth and depth within the scene.

Next we produce pre-final digital versions of the images to a standard which is close to the final result. Any last aspects or details are addressed and then rendering of the high-resolution and HD animation begins. Rendering is done using our rendering farm comprised of high-end multi-processor CPU “slaves” with large amounts of RAM. Once high resolution 3D images are ready, our team complete the post-production process which involves color-correction, image touch-ups, exposure and light levels, photo-matching, adjusting sharpness and adding environmental elements.

The final result is a 3D rendering like the one below (recently completed by Urban Voyage).

Typical uses or CGI (computer generated imagery) are still renderings, walk through and fly through animations, virtual tours, panoramic renderings, light and shadow studies, renovation renderings, marketing images, etc.

Urban Voyage is currently offering very competitive pricing for 3D architectural rendering and visualization – please contact us today to discuss your requirements.

Here’s some important stats (iPad & iPhone review):

• More than 3 million iPads have been sold (first 80 days on the market)
• 1.4 million iPhone 4s sold in 3 days, more than 50 million iPhones have been sold
• Over 5 million digital books have been downloaded on the iPad
• The 8,500 applications for the iPad have been downloaded more than 35 million times

Current trends are very strong for portable digital devices and we anticipate this trend continuing if not gaining momentum.

Urban Voyage offers the following development services for iPad and iPhone, Application Development (iPhone SDK (Cocoa, Xcode, Objective-C), iPad Books, iPhone Apps (iPhone OS), Interactive 3D Games (iPhone SDK) and basically any related software or content development!

If you’re looking for a dedicated offshore development team from New Zealand, that’s cost-effective, flexible, fast and experienced – call Urban Voyage.

HVD3 (Heavy Vehicle Dynamics 3D) is a real-time software training tool developed to visually communicate dynamic physics concepts. Urban Voyage and Tranzqual have applied smart learning tools that engage with the “Xbox Generation” in highly effective and interactive ways.

At the e-learning conference Urban Voyage presented the new Heavy Vehicle Dynamics (HVD3) software developed for Tranzqual (Transportation ITO) with Lois Moran and heavy vehicle expert [guru] Yogi Hansen. HVD3 will soon be available for purchase through Tranzqual and the customer feedback has been outstanding. The real-time physics capability developed for this exciting project creates new and dynamic ways to engage with students – making complex ideas simple to understand and experience.

The Education & Training market can now benefit from the application of smart learning tools  that have the potential to engage with the “Xbox Generation”. When it comes to understanding dynamic concepts, such as Heavy Vehicle Physics, 3D is highly effective in “showing” exactly what will happen if the truck increases speed by 10kph, change the load configuration or any number of other possible variables. HVD3 is putting the teachers and students in the driver’s seat – look down the side mirror to see the effects of ‘Roll Amplification’, see the smoke coming off the tires under heavy breaking, and literally take control of the vehicle.

It’s also possible to deliver training content across a range of media and mobile devices – from online, offline, iPhone, iPad, Mac and PC. If your training material is based in Flash, our recommendation is to talk with us today and see how you can future-proof your learning tools. Urban Voyage are experts in HTML5, H.264 video and related codecs, and the iPhone SDK (Cocoa, Xcode, Objective-C etc).

The “other” Richard Elliott had this to say in his recent mail-out:

“I saw some exciting development in the use of 3D simulations for training  modules for heavy vehicle drivers last week. Not unlike an interactive game but with a very strong educational/ training/safety/ compliance focus. Lot of potential  for online learning.Well done to urban voyage in New Zealand (http:// www.urbanvoyage.com] run by a Richard Elliott would you believe (he’s a bit younger than me, but with a name like that he must be good:-)”

NEW YORK – You’re at the front lines shooting Nazis before they shoot you. Or you’re a futuristic gladiator in a death match with robots.

Either way, you’re playing a video game – and you may be improving your vision and other brain functions, according to research presented at a New York University conference on games as a learning tool.

“People that play these fast-paced games have better vision, better attention and better cognition,” said Daphne Bavelier, an assistant professor in the department of brain and cognitive science at the University of Rochester.

Bavelier was a presenter at Games for Learning, a daylong symposium on the educational uses of video games and computer games.

The event, the first of its kind, was an indication that electronic games are gaining legitimacy in the classroom.

President Barack Obama recently identified the creation of good educational software as one of the “grand challenges for American innovation,” and the Federal Department of Education’s assistant deputy secretary for the Office of Innovation and Improvement, Jim Shelton, attended the conference.

Panelists discussed how people learn and how games can be engineered to be even more educational.

“People do learn from games,” said J. Dexter Fletcher of the Institute for Defence Analyses.

Sigmund Tobias of the State University of New York at Albany said an Israeli air force study found that students who played the game Space Fortress had better rankings in their pilot training than students who did not.

He added that students who played “pro-social” games that promote cooperation were more likely than others to help out in real-life situations like intervening when someone is being harassed.

Bavelier’s research has focused on so-called first-person shooter games like Unreal Tournament and Medal of Honor, in which the player is an Allied solder during World War II.

“You have to jump into vehicles, you have to crouch and hide,” said Tammy Schachter, a spokeswoman for game developer Electronic Arts.

Bavelier said playing the kill-or-be-killed games can improve peripheral vision and the ability to see objects at dusk, and the games can even be used to treat amblyopia, or lazy eye, a disorder characterised by indistinct vision in one eye.

She said she believes the games can improve math performance and other brain tasks.

“We are testing this hypothesis that when you play an action video game, what you do is you learn to better allocate your resources,” she said. “In a sense you learn to learn. … You become very good at adapting to whatever is asked of you.”

Bavelier believes the games will eventually become part of school curriculums, but “it’s going to take a generation.”

Schachter said the purpose of Medal of Honor and other games is to have fun, and any educational benefits are a bonus.

“Through entertainment these games test your memory skills, your eye-hand coordination, your ability to detect small activities on the screen and interact with them,” she said.

Not everyone is a fan.

Gavin McKiernan, the national grassroots director for the Parents Television Council, an advocacy group concerned about sex and violence in the media, said that when it comes to violent video games, any positive effects are outweighed by the negative.

“You are not just passively watching Scarface blow away people,” McKiernan said. “You are actually participating. Doing these things over and over again is going to have an effect.”

Bavelier said games could be developed that would harness the positive effects of the first-person shooter games without the violence.

“As you know, most of us females just hate those action video games,” she said. “You don’t have to use shooting. You can use, for example, a princess which has a magic wand and whenever she touches something, it turns into a butterfly and sparkles.”

“Customers around the world are experiencing the magic of iPad, and seem to be loving it as much as we do,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “We appreciate their patience, and are working hard to build enough iPads for everyone.”

iPad allows users to connect with their apps, content and the Internet in a more intimate, intuitive and fun way than ever before. Users can browse the web, read and send email, enjoy and share photos, watch HD videos, listen to music, play games, read ebooks and much more, all using iPad’s revolutionary Multi-Touch™ user interface. iPad is 0.5 inches thin and weighs just 1.5 pounds—thinner and lighter than any laptop or netbook—and delivers up to 10 hours of battery life.*

Developers have created over 5,000 exciting new apps for iPad that take advantage of its Multi-Touch user interface, large screen and high-quality graphics. iPad will run almost all of the more than 200,000 apps on the App Store, including apps already purchased for your iPhone® or iPod touch®.

*Battery life depends on device settings, usage and other factors. Actual results vary.

Apple ignited the personal computer revolution with the Apple II, then reinvented the personal computer with the Macintosh. Apple continues to lead the industry with its award-winning computers, OS X operating system, and iLife, iWork and professional applications. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store, has reinvented the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and has recently introduced its magical iPad which is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices.

So what does this mean for me and why should I care?

With the launch of Apple’s latest device – the iPad, there’s never been a more exciting opportunity for businesses to capitalize on the possibilities to reach and connect with customers, subscribers and partners.

The growth and uptake of the iPhone and iPad are changing the way people download, interact and experience content. iTunes, Apple’s proven distribution platform has over 125 million account holders looking for engaging and relevant games, tools and content.

If you have considered developing for the iPhone or iPad, Urban Voyage has the solution – we make development easy, cost-effective and fast. This could be the most important trend facing publishers and businesses today.

Key Points

• Game-changing device with significant growth potential
• Proven distribution model and network
• Push content to subscribers
• Powerful, beautiful and intuitive

iPad and iPhone Stats

• Apple has sold more than 1 Million iPads in 28 days (less than half the time it took to achieve this milestone with the iPhone)
• UBS estimates 7.5 Million iPads will be sold in 2010
• Munster estimates that overall sales of iPads will reach 4.3 Million in 2010
• 50 million iPhones have been sold and a total of 85 Million iPhone and iPod touches have been sold
• There are more than 125 million iTunes account holders Apple offers a proven platform for world-wide distribution of Apps and content
• 4 Billion apps have been downloaded from the App store

Urban Voyage iPad Development Solutions

iPad Application Development

• iPhone SDK (Cocoa, Xcode, Objective-C)
• Software and Content Development (iPhone OS, Windows, Mac, Online)

iPad Application Consulting

• Research & Development (market research, storyboards, prototyping)
• Outsourced Process/Work-flow Development

iPad User Interface Design and Artwork

• User Experience and User Interface Design

iPad Application Testing and Support

• Ongoing Support and Development

THE URBAN VOYAGE DIFFERENCE FROM NEW ZEALAND

• Dedicated offshore development team for New Zealand
• Cost effective and flexible pricing models
• Fast project startup and delivery solutions
• Proven success with Apple application development
• Highly experienced and skilled development team specific to Apple technologies (Member of Apple’s iPhone Developer Program)
• Development, artwork, design and testing under a single roof
• Established local partner in New Zealand and time-zone advantage

If you’re looking for iPad programming services (Objective-C, Cocoa, Xcode), call the company with the integrated development experience to insure your project is successful – Urban Voyage.

New Zealand has produced another new superyacht order, this time from Alloy Yachts. This is very encouraging news considering the lack of new orders placed the world over during the last year. This week The Yacht Report had the privilege of being the first members of the media to see the new order – Hull number AY43 – underway at the Alloy Yachts yard,  the order for which was placed in the middle of last year.

Work began on AY43, which as of yet has no working name, three weeks ago.  She is being built for a repeat Alloy Yachts customer.  She is a 47m aluminium M/Y, 41.73m on the waterline, and is built to Lloyds classification.  Designed by Dubois, her interior is by Donald Starkey.  AY43 will have a beam of 9.19m and a draft of 2.21m, reaching a maximum speed of 17kn, and cruising at 14.5kn on CAT engines.  Alloy Yachts success in procuring a new order is testament to their solid reputation as a yard and the faith from owners in the yachts that they build.  Having recently celebrated their 25th birthday (which we will report on fully at a later date) they are long established and look set to continue their building success for many years to come.

Here, for the first time, we can bring readers a rendering of this new order.

This brings the total number of orders underway at Alloy Yachts to three:  the 44m S/Y AY40, Imagine II, which will hand over in May this year, AY41 and AY43.  AY42, Paraiso, remains suspended for now.

Whilst at the yard we were privy to visiting and learning more about the top secret Phillipe Briand designed S/Y AY41, which will deliver at the end of this year. We will bring you further information on this exciting project at a later date within our print outlets.

Full specs on all the Alloy yachts in build can be found at SuperyachtIntelligence.com

Related Links:

Alloy Yachts: company profile | company website

Like the ‘Builder’s House’ the Urban Voyage brand was due for a refresh – we found the time early this year to refocus and align our plans for the coming years. As a company we looked at where we’ve come from and where we are going which provided a lot of insight into the philosophy behind Urban Voyage.

Clients often ask us – “How did you come up with the name, what does it stand for?” At the heart of our name is the desire that everyone has for adventure and discovery. The word ‘Urban’ is descriptive of how we live and work in a City, yet how as a planet we are all connected and commonly known as ‘humanity’.

The word ‘Voyage’ has reference with the story of Aotearoa (including how Maui fished the North Island from the ocean) and how New Zealand was settled by many people from far away lands. Kiwis are world famous for their sailing ability, not to mention the desire and ability to travel far beyond New Zealand’s borders.

The History

Over the past 10 years, the team at Urban Voyage has had the pleasure of working with many top New Zealand and overseas companies, including the highly talented people that work within these organisations. The projects have been diverse and the solutions highly creative, providing us with a complete picture of how businesses work – some would call this experience (and perhaps a few grey hairs).

One thing has remained constant and that’s been our desire to measure our success by our clients’ success. The business relationships and friendships formed give weight to this commitment. No matter the size of the project, large or small, every partner of Urban Voyage receives respect, attention to detail and superb results.

Three Dimensional

At the core of what we do is 3D. It’s been an exciting journey for us to see 3D come from been seen as an ‘luxury option’, to an essential business tool and now the highest grossing movie of all time [Avatar] could not have been made if it was not for the technological developments made by Peter Jackson and Weta Digital.

The application of 3D technology is fast becoming the standard way to receive, understand and interact with information. We are all benefiting from the investment large companies are making into 3D and everyday technology. Sony is targeting $11 billion U.S. in sales from 3D-related products by March 2013.

No matter the final application of 3D, it still comes down to content – the ability for your content to connect, inform, educate and engage with an audience is key to its effectiveness. The team behind Urban Voyage has the ability to get to the heart of your story creating solutions that deliver on their promise.

3D Superyachts

It’s quite a claim to state that we help sell Superyachts, help Yards build boats faster, allow Owners to better understand their build projects and now improve the vessel lifecycle through effective information management. Results speak and Urban Voyage’s track record is proven with every successful project.

Since Urban Voyage began providing 3D renderings for Superyachts, technology and the skills of our 3D graphic artists have developed significantly, to the point where we genuinely find it difficult to tell the real boat from the virtual image. Yacht Building is a specific craft that can be understood only with time and dedication. This we have come to appreciate and that is why our team are highly skilled, trained and experienced in the process of designing, building and operating Superyachts.

3D Architectural Rendering

Creating images that engage and connect with audiences on emotional levels that remain true to the architectural design remains a strength of Urban Voyage. Over the past 10 years we have worked with many leading New Zealand Architects producing high quality 3D renderings and 3D architectural visualisations. You’ll see some of this work in our new gallery under ‘Discover Visualisation’. If you are looking for award winning 3D renderings for your next architecture project you’d best to talk with the expert team at Urban Voyage.

3D for Training & Education

3D and Education has been a dream of ours for sometime now as we’ve seen firsthand how fast knowledge can be transferred to students through real-time 3D Learning Tools. Our work with the Boating Industry Training Organisation and Tranzqual have shown the level of Improved Outcomes that training solutions developed by Urban Voyage can have. If you are looking to motivate and inspire learners to discover more, we build tailored learning tools specifically to the way people naturally learn – the results speak for themselves when you see the faces of apprentices and students light-up.

There’s going to be many more exciting developments coming from the Urban Voyage Studios this year and if you’d like to be a part of it, let us know – we’d love to hear from you!

BMW Oracle Chairman Larry Ellison said Newport, Rhode Island, San Diego, California, and San Francisco, California are possible venues. “We have to develop bases for many teams because it is going to be a multi-challenger event,” he said this morning during a press conference.

After two years of acrimonious court battles, which ultimately forced the two teams into head-to-head races in the waters off Valencia, the tarnished America’s Cup should regain some of its lustre.

But there is also a question regarding what the next generation of Cup yachts will look like. BMW Oracle’s 105-ft. trimaran beat Alinghi’s 110-ft. catamaran convincingly during both races, trouncing it during the second race by 5min 26sec.

In a separate press conference, Alinghi chief Ernesto Bertarelli said he would like to see multihulls as the racing boat of choice. “We had the fastest possible boats racing each other, I think that is good,” he told AFP news-wire. “Why would you want to go slowly?”

The next America’s Cup is traditionally held every three or four years, which means it could be held in 2013 at the earliest. Ellison confirmed media reports that Oracle had selected an Italian syndicate, Mascalzone Latino, as its Challenger of Record. Other challengers from multiple countries are also expected to participate.

Superyacht Business, 16 February 2010