Virtual Reality in Virtual Reality in Construction Cost Construction Cost

EstimatingEstimatingBy Mandy FrazureBy Mandy Frazure

Advisors: Advisors: Dr. Tulio Sulbaran Dr. Tulio Sulbaran Prof. Doris KempProf. Doris Kemp

Dr. Shelton Dr. Shelton HoustonHouston

ObjectiveObjective

It is the researcher’s intention to research It is the researcher’s intention to research existing software on the market and to existing software on the market and to develop/alter a three dimensional software develop/alter a three dimensional software program aiding in the estimating and program aiding in the estimating and visualization processes of the construction visualization processes of the construction industryindustry

Activities AccomplishedActivities Accomplished

Identify Virtual Reality Software Identify Virtual Reality Software Identify Cost DatabaseIdentify Cost Database Acquire VR Software and Cost DatabaseAcquire VR Software and Cost Database Filter Cost Data for Division 9 Filter Cost Data for Division 9 Get familiar with VR Software and Cost Data Get familiar with VR Software and Cost Data

Software Software

MethodologyMethodology

Activity 1: Identify Virtual Reality SoftwareActivity 1: Identify Virtual Reality Software

Identify the software to be used in creating the Identify the software to be used in creating the project project

Research by internet and/or contact persons in Research by internet and/or contact persons in the AEC industry to inquire about what software the AEC industry to inquire about what software that is currently being used the most in the AEC that is currently being used the most in the AEC industry industry

Make a decision based on current programs, Make a decision based on current programs, availability, price, and compatibility availability, price, and compatibility

Identify the software to be used in creating Identify the software to be used in creating the project-the project-

VizX3DVizX3D

Uses the OpenGL Render systemUses the OpenGL Render system Imports VRMLImports VRML Exports interactive 3D scenes as VRML and X3DExports interactive 3D scenes as VRML and X3D Import TexturesImport Textures A web-based window that allows you to navigate A web-based window that allows you to navigate

through the project through the project

Research by internet and/or contact persons Research by internet and/or contact persons in the AEC industry to inquire about what in the AEC industry to inquire about what

software that is currently being used the most software that is currently being used the most in the AEC industry-in the AEC industry-

Contacted 21 people and found these were the programs Contacted 21 people and found these were the programs usedused

Autodesk Products:Autodesk Products:• Viz 4******Viz 4******• Viz 2005*Viz 2005*• 3D Studio Viz*3D Studio Viz*• Architectural Desktop*Architectural Desktop*• AutoCAD********AutoCAD********• Lighscape*Lighscape*Other:Other:• FormZ****FormZ****• Chief Architect*Chief Architect*• Sketchup*Sketchup*• None*******None*******

Make a decision based on current programs, Make a decision based on current programs,

availability, price, and compatibility-availability, price, and compatibility- File types VizX3D supports:File types VizX3D supports:

3D Studio3D Studio DXFDXF TrueSpaceTrueSpace WavefrontWavefront SoftImage!XSISoftImage!XSI LightwaveLightwave LightScapeLightScape RenderwareRenderware Scenery AnimatorScenery Animator Stereo LithographyStereo Lithography 3D Metaphile3D Metaphile Direct XDirect X XGLXGL XYZXYZ Binary DEMBinary DEM ASCII DEMASCII DEM Micro DEMMicro DEM ImagineImagine SculptSculpt

Activity 2: Identify Cost DatabaseActivity 2: Identify Cost Database

Choose a cost Choose a cost database according to database according to the most efficient and the most efficient and up to date information up to date information by researching by researching existing construction existing construction cost estimate cost estimate databases-databases-

RS Means- RS Means- up-to-date up-to-date and information easily and information easily acquiredacquired

Databases: Databases: RS MeansRS Means National Estimator 32National Estimator 32 TimberlineTimberline Vertigraph, INCVertigraph, INC Master Builder 2004Master Builder 2004 WinEstimator, INCWinEstimator, INC

Activity 3: Acquire VR Software and Cost Activity 3: Acquire VR Software and Cost

DatabasesDatabases

VR Software -VizX3D VR Software -VizX3D • Downloaded online Downloaded online

Cost Database -RS MeansCost Database -RS Means• Paper CopyPaper Copy

Activity 4: Filter Cost Data for Division Activity 4: Filter Cost Data for Division

99 DoneDone

RS Means “Building Construction RS Means “Building Construction Cost Data”Cost Data”

Activity 5: Get familiar with VR Software and Activity 5: Get familiar with VR Software and

Cost Data SoftwareCost Data Software Get familiar with the software proposed to create project Get familiar with the software proposed to create project

by researching linkage methods and processes to by researching linkage methods and processes to implement into the project implement into the project

Vizx3D_1_2.vzxVizx3D_1_2.vzx

Linking: Linking: Php -ScriptingPhp -Scripting My SQL -Table WritingMy SQL -Table Writing PhPMyAdmin -Creating InterfacePhPMyAdmin -Creating Interface

Remaining ActivitiesRemaining Activities Activity 6: Create a pseudo code to link VR to Activity 6: Create a pseudo code to link VR to

cost database cost database Activity 7: Identify and acquire architectural Activity 7: Identify and acquire architectural

plans for VR projectplans for VR project Activity 8: Create VR project Activity 8: Create VR project Activity 9: Link VR and cost database with Activity 9: Link VR and cost database with

pseudo codepseudo code Activity 10: Create code and implement: Activity 10: Create code and implement:

Phase 1Phase 1 Activity 11: Create code and implement Activity 11: Create code and implement

(Revisions): Phase 2(Revisions): Phase 2 Activity 12: Prepare paper following Activity 12: Prepare paper following

conference proceedingsconference proceedings Activity 13: Final preparation for thesisActivity 13: Final preparation for thesis