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Computer Scientists Grow a Better Virtual Tree

Posted by Soulskill on from the branching-out-from-virtual-design dept.

Reservoir Hill points us to a story about a group of computer scientists who are taking steps to bring the creation of 3-D worlds to the casual user. As a proof-of-concept, Vladlen Koltun and the Stanford Virtual Worlds Group, using data collected by botanists, have developed software to create virtual 3-D trees with roughly 100 different tree attributes, all of which are highly variable. Quoting: "The inability of casual computer users to build 3-D objects - you practically have to be a sculptor, Koltun says - is an anchor holding back the promise of virtual worlds. Koltun's software, Dryad (a tree nymph in Greek mythology,) lets users move through the 100-attribute tree space in a fashion similar to navigating city streets on Google Maps. As in real life, not all trees are equally desirable. Since no single user is capable of mapping out the best parts of the enormous tree space, this mapping of desirability is done collaboratively, leading to continuous refinement of the software."

9 of 126 comments (clear)

  1. Dryad by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Is it me or does building a better tree *nymph* seem like a more worthwhile project?

    1. Re:Dryad by angus_rg · · Score: 2, Funny

      I was thinking more of a well trimmed bush with some double D. Of course, I'm not one who likes a lot left to the imagination.

  2. Environment by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    The Virtual Greenpeace will be pleased

  3. Re:Doesn't run on Linux by chuckymonkey · · Score: 4, Funny

    As soon as we finish compiling it
    This is all that needs to be said.

    --
    "Some books contain the machinery required to create and sustain universes."-Tycho
  4. I won't rest by maroberts · · Score: 4, Funny

    ..till computer scientists forget trees and grow better Bush.

    --

    Donte Alistair Anderson Roberts - hi son!
    Karma: Chameleon

  5. Another quality product from SVWG by PinkyDead · · Score: 4, Funny

    Slartibartfast - The virtual fjord designer.

    --
    Genesis 1:32 And God typed :wq!
  6. I think that I shall never see by rodney+dill · · Score: 2, Funny

    a poem as lovely as a parameterized tree....

    --

    Use your head, can't you, use your head,
    You're on earth, there's no cure for that     - S. Beckett
  7. Re:Doesn't run on Linux by supertsaar · · Score: 1, Funny

    he he. Sometimes I wish I was a programmer... (only sometimes)

    --
    The Bigger The Headache The Bigger the Pill
  8. Re:Already existed. by IBBoard · · Score: 2, Funny

    It generates real-time trees? You mean you get to plant the seed and watch it grow, day by day, week by week? Sure it'd be slow and take a while to complete, but can you imagine realism factor in games!