Our first challenge is to turn the architects drawings of the Thurrock Learning Campus into a 3d model. This will then be imported into Second Life.
The design team from architects AEDAS have been extremely accommodating in providing the .dwg files they have been developing during the process so far. Unfortunately Second Life will not accept these highly detailed models.
Instead we are in the process of converting the .dwg files to the free and incredibly versatile Google SketchUp. This enables us to create a 3d fully flexible model, which can be seen in the video clip, or if you download the Google SketchUp viewer you can explore the building yourself using this file.
For help in doing this please visit this thread in our forums (you will need to register).
This video shows the flexibility of this free tool and demonstrates the potential once the building is recreated in Second Life.
We will also be using technologies such as Microsoft's Photosynth, a web-based Silverlight application that generates 3D views of objects or locations, to provide rich views of our sites and buildings. The example below is an interactive view of the Atrium at South Essex College.
This may mark a watershed in the design of new buildings as the expensive and time-consuming process of 3d modelling and fly-throughs becomes cheap, immediate and available to anyone with a browser. Time will tell as we begin the construction process of our virtual build.