In order to help reach this goal, we are creating a “What’s New on 3DVIA” column to establish a direct line of communication between our users and R&D.  That’s right — I’m a developer!  By now, you might have seen me around the site.

In this update, I’d like two highlight two new features that I am especially happy to see on 3DVIA: pervasive activity feeds and direct messaging.

3DVIA Messaging

Since I started working here at 3DVIA, by far the most common user request has been a way to communicate directly and privately with other users.  Until now, users were forced to leave comments on models as the their only means of communication.  The communication system was broken and we knew it.  Today we are introducing 3DVIA Messaging as the first part of our solution to this problem.  Let’s take a look…

One of the first things you’ll notice when you log into the revamped “My 3DVIA” area is a new section in the right sidebar called “Toolbox.”  The Toolbox is, as it sounds, your arsenal of tools interacting with 3DVIA.

The latest addition to this arsenal is your Inbox which is your hub for communicating directly with other 3DVIA users. Here’s a shot of my new messages screen:

Our inbox functions in a similar fashion to other communication systems you are used to such as Facebook and e-mail. It also guarantees your privacy, because your real e-mail address is never given out during the messaging process.

Users can send you a message through our new revamped profile pages. These pages are linked from just about anywhere your username is mentioned, and can also be found by searching users. Take a look at my profile, for instance. On the right sidebar, you’ll see a new area called “Connect with username.”

Aside from adding the user as a contact, which you’ll understand the usefulness of shortly, you can now send the user a direct message. The user will be notified by e-mail so they have no excuse for ignoring you!

Activity Feeds

A couple of months ago, we introduced an activity feed on the home page that helps users to keep up with what’s going on on the site.  Recently, we also added an atom feed so you can subscribe for updates via a feed reader. Though we started small, we’ve always had big plans for activity feeds.  Today, I think we can say that 3DVIA activity feeds have grown up.

With this release, activity feeds are now much more pervasive throughout the site.  The first of two new feeds we are delivering is on the user profile page.  It shows activity from a single user only, so if you want to keep tabs on a particular user, this is the best way to do it.

Another way to to follow a user, is to add that user as a contact from the link in the screenshot above.  Doing so will cause the user’s activity to display in our second new feed, which shows on your “My 3DVIA” page.  Since this feed is an aggregation of all of your 3DVIA contacts, its now the easiest way to stay in touch with all of your friends on the site.  Here is a screenshot of what your feed will look like if you have several contacts:

We think this is a great addition that will help people stay in touch and we hope it will help you create a bigger audience for your 3D art.  There is more in store for the 3DVIA activity feeds, so stay tuned!

I hope you have enjoyed our first installment of “What’s New on 3DVIA.”  What you’ve read are just a couple highlights from our most recent release so I encourage you to poke around the site to find out what else is new.

For more pictures from this release, visit our Flickr set.  If you have any questions or comments, please leave a comment or send me a direct message!

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We are also currently up over 2,400 free 3D models in the public warehouse and thousands more stored in private collections. 

Have you read Juan’s 3D Tutorials yet or seen our latest series by Don covering user m2morgan64 efforts to create a game starting with our own free 3D modeling application 3DVIA Shape?

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Although I am probably biased, there is a great article on TIME.com today featuring a certain 3D content site that you may have visited recently. Please check out the Thomas Grose 3D Comes to Web 2.0 article that is all about your very own 3DVIA.com.

“The hosted services and communities of Web 2.0 already amount to an entirely new form of communication. But now a new site called 3DVIA.com is taking the social-networking concept to another dimension — both literally and, well, virtually.” [ Read the Full Article ]

If you are not familiar with TIME.com, it is the online version of Time Magazine which has over 3,250,000 subscribers and is read by nearly 10 million people each week.

Do you have Digg account?
Please Digg the TIME article above.

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How will this speed up and simplify your workflow?  Typically, we have found that users will take their textures into an external application like Photoshop to manually adjust the perspective to fit a surface on their model.  This new feature eliminates this time-consuming step (and you know how long it can take Photoshop to load) and automates part of the effort.  You simply apply the texture to your model, identify the corners that make up the portion of the image that you need and 3DVIA Shape will automatically transform the image to fit correctly!

This is a feature that is best demonstrated visually. Take a look at the following video (very short - just over a minute).

Here’s is a link to the model in the video on 3dvia.com.  Click the “PLAY 3D” button to render view and examine the model in the browser.

Other Key Updates?

In addition to the Advanced Texture Skewing tool, there are many other improvements in 3DVIA Shape including better tutorials, help and better geometry manipulation.  The following video demonstrates one of the abilities of the geometry manipulation set of enhancements. The video shows how to change the anchor point of a piece of geometry while performing a simple cut/paste action.

Interested? Try 3DVIA Shape now…it’s free!

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A new release of the Live Maps service is now public and the centerpiece is a much improved “Version 2″ view of several top cities including Las Vegas.  The version 2 update features cities with many more modeled buildings, higher resolution textures, and rendered trees!  Other cities with a version 2 spruce up include Dallas, Denver and Phoenix.

It’s amazing - click on the image to zoom into the improved 3D Las Vegas.

Also featured in the update…an improved Virtual Earth - 3DVIA.  Some of the new enhancements include lighting for contributed models, creation of preview thumbnails when you save a model, and much faster publishing when using high resolution textures.  To try it out while in Live Maps, switch into 3D view, right click where you would like to add a building and choose ‘Add 3D model’.

Other key updates for Live Maps include:

• Export Your Collection to Your Navigation/GPS Device
• The Ability to Add Labels for Birds Eye Imagery
• 1-Click Directions (They call it Party Maps!)
• MapCruncher Integration!…MapCruncher is a tool for registering your raster maps to create map tiles for mashups. You can now add your MapCrunched layers to Collections
• “GeoWeb Exploration”…”one of the largest stores of local content on the web”
• Neighborhood Subscribe via GeoRSS….very cool feature allowing to subscribe to local updates of a given geographic area!
• Tour Enhancements Including Hi-Def Movies
• Directions and Traffic Enhancements
• Improved Display of KML Files Including Google MyMaps Links

There is already some buzz for the update from around the blogosphere including:

• Live Maps hits us with a big release
• New Live Search Maps is Live
• Microsoft Introduces Tool for Avoiding Traffic Jams
• New Live Search Maps is Live
• The New Maps Is Live
• The New Release of Live Maps and Virtual Earth 3D is now Live!

Congratulations to the Live Maps team!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

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We also passed 2,000 public 3D models at the same time (there are an additional 4,000+ private models being hosted on 3DVIA).  Check out new user smike, who has an amazing collection of spaceship 3D models, and the Earth Alliance “Ivanovas” SA-23E 3D model that he uploaded recently. 

Click the play button to examine the model up close.

You can find out more from smike on his website…Smikes World!

Let’s keep it going! Search for free 3D models now.

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Here is an application of our 3D technology that we have had almost too much fun putting together.  Welcome 3Dcollage, our new picture application for Facebook that will let you overlay 3D models from 3DVIA.com on your favorite pictures to create new “3D mashups”.  These new mashups can be published to your profile or, even better, sent to your friends Facebook profiles.

Why would you want to do this?…Not only is 3Dcollage is a great way to dress up your Facebook profile, but it allows you to create stunning new images in a way not currently possible. You can position and re-position 3D models over 2D images in a natural way, making use of 3D effects such as lighting, sizing, and rotation to create your own Facebook works of art.

Check out these 2 pictures as a very simple demonstration of what you can do with the same model over a picture.   Models in 3Dcollage can be easily placed, spun and positioned in anyway that you want.

Now I am not making any political statements, but I found an interesting demonstration of the 3Dcollage idea on the campaign ‘08 group on Facebook using a Barack Obama model found on 3DVIA.com.

Interested in trying it for yourself?  It’s easy to do…first, login in to your Facebook account (Facebook accounts are free) and then in 3Dcollage,

1. Upload your picture - or search for one on Flickr
2. Import a 3D model from the 3DVIA.com library
3. Position it any way you like on your picture
4. Click the camera icon to publish it to your profile or send it to your friends
5. Rinse & Repeat.

What are you waiting for, create your first 3Dcollage right now!

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As Bertrand Duplat, Virtools founder and CTO for 3DVIA puts it, “3DVIA has taken into consideration studios’ needs when designing and developing games, especially those that work with large development teams in multiple locations.  Our new development engine encompasses the entire development cycle – from importing content to testing and debugging – maximizing publishers’ investments by allowing them to create content once, optimize it, and publish it across multiple platforms.”

If you are in the game development space, you should check out the 3DVIA MP site for all of the details.  Or you can watch this early trailer for the product below. 

The official announcement for 3DVIA MP was released yesterday at this years Game Developers Conference and the reaction has been excellent.

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The survey should take less than two minutes. Thank you again for your support.

 Click Here to Launch the 3DVIA Site Improvement Survey

If you would like to be notified about upcoming changes to the site, please register for a free 3DVIA 3D model hosting account or leave a comment below.

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In addition to the additional exposure you will get on 3DVIA.com, a great reason to upload your Google Earth content is the ability to offer an interactive 3D preview of your models for the visitors on your website.  Every 3DVIA model comes equipped with an interactive 3D Life Player that can be embedded directly into your blog, online profile or just about any web page.

Here is an example of a .kmz packaged model uploaded recently to 3DVIA.com.  Click on the “PLAY 3D” button (you will need to add the 3D Life plugin to your browser) to view the model. 

Posting a 3D model to your site is as simple as posting a video from YouTube.   After you have uploaded your content, look for the small snippet of code located underneath each model on it’s viewer page.  It will be listed under the title of  “HTML Widget”.  Simply copy and paste that code into your page or post and you are off to the races.  We currently use Wordpress as our blogging platform but the player will work with Blogger or any other standard page that accepts iframes.

Enjoy!

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We are proud to announce the availability of 3DVIA Shape Beta, our new and easy to use 3D modeling application that is free to install and use!

With just a few clicks, anyone can easily Shape & Share their ideas in 3D.

Shape Your Ideas!

3DVIA Shape will bring your ideas to life thanks to a very intuitive user interface that was designed to allow anyone to easily create realistic 3D models.

Share Your Ideas - Online!

Once you complete your model, you can share it online with just a click of a button. 3DVIA Shape is designed to publish directly to your 3DVIA.com profile where it can be shared with the community, remixed and even posted to your blog.

To get started with 3DVIA Shape:

1. Join 3dvia.com

3DVIA Shape requires you have a 3DVIA account. If you have not yet registered on 3DVIA.com yet, click here to create your account now.

2. Install 3DVIA Shape

Downloading 3DVIA Shape is free and only takes a few minutes! The application is available through the ShapeIt tab located on the site. Run the setup application and follow the instructions provided.

When you have completed the installation, you will be asked to login with your 3DVIA account.

3. Create & Share Your First 3D Model

To get you started, we have created a set of video tutorials that will walk you through your first 3D model. You can also read the 3DVIA Shape documentation. The application is simple to use and you should have your first creation started quickly.

When you have completed your first model, make sure the world can find it. Click the publish button to post your model to 3DVIA. You will find your newly minted model under your “My 3DVIA” tab.

Please note - all models are published as “private” by default. If you would like other people to find your model, please set your model to “public” under the “edit attributes” link on the model page.

4. Feel Free to Remix

You don’t want to create a model from scratch? Take a look at the 3DVIA Shape Models collection and feel free to remix any model of your choice.

Remixing a model allows you to modify an existing model of another user and publish it in your own collection (remix rights must be allowed for the 3D model). You can also remix your own model to create alternative designs.

Still have questions?  Please read our FAQ section and don’t forget to send us your feedback through our Support form.

Enjoy and check back here often. We will be publishing tips and tricks on how to get the most out of 3DVIA Shape soon.

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With TVnima become the new TV show director!

TVnima allows anyone to create a virtual TV news program using their personal media (photos, images, videos).
You can add a voice and import media, choose your camera angles and presenter gestures in just a few clicks.

Diego Mudboarding

Help Diego to rescue the animals that were trapped in a muddy mudslide using his mudboard.

This experience is an online game of Nick.com, the official website for the US children’s television channel, Nickelodeon.

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Take a virtual tour of the Royal court and discover recent renovation of the palace.
Discover the equestrian statue of King Louis XIV or the historical gate and get architectural information.

Go quickly to the experiences page to discover it.

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Search bar: you will now find a Search bar at the top right corner of the website.

You have the choice to search in models, users or groups.

3D Models listing: you can now view and sort models by most viewed, most rated, most downloaded

Users listing:  view and sort users by name, most active, last updated or created ; sort contributors by number of models uploaded, comments received, best ratings …

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- Rotate around and zoom on a focused point

- Change and save model position (save is only available for model owner)

- Change 3D models shaders (Direct X 9C or higher installed)

All these features are avaible from the new context menu

To see the context menu and define the focused point (the blue cone) on the model, click and hold the middle mouse button.

Depending on the functionality selected, the blue cone will be used as the center of rotation, the focused point to zoom on or the new face to place on the ground.

Context menu gives you access to zoom, rotate and pan options. These options are also accessible more rapidly with mouse or keyboard.

New Mouse control

- Activate the context menu and define the focused point: Middle button down (or left button down + Shift)
- Activate the function picked in the context menu: Midlle button up (or left button up + Shift)

- Activate Pan: Left button down + Ctrl

- Zoom: Use the scroll-wheel button

- Rotate: Midlle + Left buttons

New Keyboard control

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Go to the 3D Experiences page to discover them.

Showroom

Visit and navigate inside our virtual showroom.
You will find a camera inside it. Clic and play with all its features. You will be able to use the zoom, take pictures and movie then replay all.

3swym - see what you mean

Discover how the 3D web can change the way brands listen to consumers. See how YOU can, just by clicking, explain how you would reorganize your supermarket. Be creative, pick a brand logo, select a shape and a material to design your first yogurt ! Then store it in your fridge or imagine it on the road… And tell us what you mean !

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• Ajax in alerts: automatic refresh when queuing and / or processing.
• In context sign in: now you can sign in before posting comments or rating a model in context.
• Sign in: you can now sign in by enter your username or your email.
• Texture:”allow download” attribute inherited for textures.
• Zip Download: Download 3D models and materials via a ZIP file.

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