A single-source guide to harnessing the power of 3D visualization tools for analysis and representation of landscapes Current technology allows designers to model environmental phenomena and space in new and exciting ways that go beyond the two-dimensional plane. The models, illustrations, and animations that can be created usher in a new paradigm of landscape representation that can become analytical tools as well as beautiful imagery. The text focuses on digital modeling methods that can be used to express rich environments using digital tools to develop, composite, and animate scenes. This full-color book provides coverage of 3D visualization tools for land planning and landscape architecture. The methods and theories in Modeling the Environment present landscape representation around a core set of ideas scene, object, terrain, environment/atmosphere, time/dynamics, and the composite that centers representation on human experience. Supported by lab.visual-logic.com, a website offering tutorials and forums, the text shows you how to use Autodesk 3ds Max to create dynamic landscape environments while also referring to a range of other tools including Google SketchUp, Autodesk Maya, and AutoCAD Civil 3D. It also demonstrates how to integrate 3D visualization tools into existing workflows, and offers critical coverage of intelligent drawings and representations, giving you a glimpse at the future of the profession. This book: Includes sections intended to build upon one another in order to understand the environment as a composite representation of multiple systems interacting Shows how to integrate 3D visualization tools into existing workflows, as opposed to offering an entirely new workflow Emphasizes modeling, animation, and simulation as both design analysis tools and presentation tools Modeling the Environment is essential reading for professionals in landscape architecture, urban planning and design, architecture, and related disciplines who are looking to be at the forefront of technology.

A single-source guide to harnessing the power of 3Dvisualization tools for analysis and representation oflandscapesCurrent technology allows designers to model environmentalphenomena and space in new and exciting ways that go beyond thetwo-dimensional plane. The models, illustrations, and animationsthat can be created usher in a new paradigm of landscaperepresentation that can become analytical tools as well asbeautiful imagery. The text focuses on digital modeling methodsthat can be used to express rich environments using digital toolsto develop, composite, and animate scenes.This full-color book provides coverage of 3D visualization toolsfor land planning and landscape architecture. The methods andtheories in Modeling the Environment present landscaperepresentation around a core set of ideas--scene, objectterrain, environment/atmosphere, time/dynamics, and thecomposite--that centers representation on human experience.Supported by lab.visual-logic.com, a website offering tutorialsand forums, the text shows you how to use Autodesk 3ds Max tocreate dynamic landscape environments while also referring to arange of other tools including Google SketchUp, Autodesk Maya, andAutoCAD Civil 3D. It also demonstrates how to integrate 3Dvisualization tools into existing workflows, and offers criticalcoverage of intelligent drawings and representations, giving you aglimpse at the future of the profession. This book:* Includes sections intended to build upon one another in order tounderstand the environment as a composite representation ofmultiple systems interacting* Shows how to integrate 3D visualization tools into existingworkflows, as opposed to offering an entirely new workflow* Emphasizes modeling, animation, and simulation as both designanalysis tools and presentation toolsModeling the Environment is essential reading for professionalsin landscape architecture, urban planning and design, architectureand related disciplines who are looking to be at the forefront oftechnology.

ForewordPrefaceAcknowledgmentsPart 1: IntroductionChapter 1: Overview of MediaChapter 2: Digital Media IndustriesChapter 3: Digital MediaChapter 4: Representation, Illustration and SimulationChapter 5: Design PracticePart 2: SceneChapter 6: Diorama: Setting the StageChapter 7: Arranging the ElementsChapter 8: Composition & ViewsChapter 9: Movement in the EnvironmentPart 3: ObjectChapter 10: ObjectChapter 11: Overview ModelingChapter 12: Using CAD LineworkChapter 13: Polygon ModelingChapter 14: Spline ModelingChapter 15: MaterialityPart 4: TerrainChapter 16: Terrain . SurfaceChapter 17: Terrain ConstructionChapter 18: Terrain Modeling . MeshesChapter 19: Surface MaterialsChapter 20: DistributionsPart 5: AtmosphereChapter 21: Lighting . AtmosphereChapter 22: Rendering and Lighting SystemsChapter 23: Atmospheric ConditionsChapter 24: Advanced and Realtime Lighting SystemsChapter 25: Temporal AtmospheresPart 6: SimulationChapter 26: AnimationChapter 27: Linking . ControllersChapter 28: Animation TechniquesChapter 29: Simulation . Rigid BodiesChapter 30: Simulation . Particles and Soft BodiesChapter 31: ScriptingPart 7: CompositeChapter 32: Composite ImageryChapter 33: Composite . Scene States . BatchChapter 34: Illustrative CompositeChapter 35: Animated CompositeBibliographyImage CreditsIndex