SneakPreview:DemodernletsyouflyinVRwithBirdly
A new device has been in the Hamburg office for a few weeks now: Birdly – a flight simulator developed by the Swiss company SOMNIACS. Birdly is more than just a machine controlled by the user. Intuitively, the user becomes a bird, gliding through the air with outstretched arms and accelerating with arm or wing flaps.
A City That No Longer Exists
Until now, users flew with Birdly over the virtually mapped skyline of Manhattan. And this is where the Demodern project comes in – We bring the VR experience to the 19th century in Ulm, Germany. For those who think Ulm can't hold up to the New York comparison, here are the details:
It's the year 1890, the famous Ulm Minster is nearing its completion. The focus is on the impressive construction achievements of that time. The initial idea, basic concept, and creative direction are provided by the Interactive Media Foundation from Berlin.
We realize that this construction achievement can still be challenging today, as our 3D department meticulously reconstructs it in complex geometries.
Urban Planning in the Demodern Office
The features of Ulm's historic old town, largely destroyed during the world wars, are Gothic architecture mixed with half-timbered style. We breathe new life into them – naturally in VR.
For the detailed implementation, we researched in the Ulm city archive at the end of last year and examined the typical Ulm buildings, including the 768 steps of the Minster.
3D Quality Standards vs. Engine-Optimized
After successful research, the conception and 3D workflow began. The Minster, distinctive buildings, and typical residential houses of the time are designed, modeled, and textured. The historical architecture is reflected in every facade. Even simpler buildings use additional geometries for beams, windows, or clotheslines, creating a realistic and detailed experience.
All elements are manually placed in Unity and must now prove themselves in slow low-level flight. We now face the next challenge: frame rate optimization. But more on that in the next blog post.
From July 2017, visitors can realize their "dream of flying" in Ulm. Demodern is responsible for user experience design, 3D design, and the technical implementation of the VR experience and was commissioned by the Interactive Media Foundation.