Modeling Project

Through the efforts of Satchmo Prototype (SL), a raw, basically square SecondLife island was terraformed into several mini-islands separated by water, each to be used for a different project: one by the U.S. Department of Transportation, another to support a nanotech effort, and one reserved as Landing Lights Island.

Satchmo introduced LLPP-SL Manager Tom Lowenhaupt to Tab Scott (SL), an architect from LA, now a visiting scholar at Montana State University. A visit to Tab’s SecondLife island-classroom provided the following insights:

• Tabletop architectural models offer several advantages. In SL one can climb on the table and, using the camera features, zoom in for a detailed view.
• The displayed architectural models had distinct borders, providing definition and professional appearance.
• Using the SL camera, detailed architectural features can be seen and captured. Detail is not lost.
• Pictures of a model can be taken, in SL, and made available for review, on SL and in RL (Real Life).
• A comfortable reviewing space for pictures can provide a familiar context for the requisite aesthetic appreciation and decision making.

To Do: Arrange a visit to Tab Scott’s island.

Hiro Pendragon is project's primary builder of both the park model and supporting software scripts. He created the park model in 1 – 5 scale. Additions to the "as-is" model being considered include:

Meta Items

• Present the "as-is" model as a tabletop concept, possibly by placing a border or edge around the model to make it rectangular.
• Use SLs snapshot feature to take pictures of the model for display in a viewing space or display stand in SL.
• Create a discussion space for the LLP project, perhaps above or below the model. Include seats, maps, photo displays, credits…

"As-Is" Items

• Houses To Do: photos to be provided
• Retail To Do: photos to be provided
• Church To Do: photos to be provided
• Street labels
• Boulders
• Landing lights To Do: photos to be provided
• Sidewalks
• Baseball field
• Park trees
• Street trees
• Descriptive project sign to include contributor names: Satch, Hiro, Tab, NYLS, Snoopy…

After creating the "as-is" park model, the 3-D wiki tools will be developed. Hiro described these as including:

• Doodads - Park inventory element models of swings, trees, flower beds... that users can add to their park design by selecting from their SecondLife inventory.
• Methods for saving and retreiving different park versions.
• Process for comparing various versions.
• Process for deciding on a "consensus" or other collaboration park.