Caligari trueSpace Virtual Earth Gallery Contest

Virtual Earth and trueSpace

Introduction

trueSpace7.6 is a 3D modeling application that lets you create 3D models using a complete set of modeling and texturing tools as found in full 3D modeling solutions rather than those with cut-down or limited functionality.

Virtual Earth is a 3D representation of the earth featuring detailed maps and satellite images. Virtual Earth includes some pre-existing 3D cities and similar, but also allows users to add their own content in the form of collections.

These collections can be pushpins added by the user, areas drawn on the map by the user, or even 3D objects. Using trueSpace, you can now model a 3D object, or import one from another application you already use, and then move that object into Virtual Earth, placing it on the globe for others to view.

Important - Virtual Earth update on September 26th!

Virtual Earth received a big update on September 26th 2008! If you visit Virtual Earth, it should prompt you to reinstall (if not, please uninstall Virtual Earth using the Control Panel in Windows and revisiting the site will prompt you to install it). Important new details about this update are:

1. Lighting of exported models now no longer results in totally unlit faces.
2. Collision detection now applies with some forms of navigation, meaning you will not "fly through" your buildings and objects.
3. Objects cast shadows on the ground.
4. Clouds and weather have been added.
5. Plain color shaders now appear as grey in unlit areas, rather than as "inverse colors", reducing problems if a texture map is not used to color your object.
6. Previously, there may sometimes have been a delay between uploading an object to Virtual Earth and others being being able to see it; this should no longer apply.
7. Lighting quality is improved overall.

Installing Virtual Earth

Virtual Earth is part of Maps Live, Microsoft's mapping solution that includes regular 2D maps, driving directions, etc as well as the fully 3D Virtual Earth.

To use Virtual Earth, visit http://maps.live.com/ which will open up the Maps Live web page as seen below:

Click on the 3D option, highlighted in the image above, and this will start Virtual Earth. If you have not already installed Virtual Earth you will be prompted to do so now - simply follow the instructions in the dialog boxes to install it. That's all there is to it! Once installed, your flat 2D map will be replaced by a globe as seen below:

Now you can begin to explore Virtual Earth, including visiting links made by other trueSpace users (like Stephen May's tower seen below; click on the image to visit it in Virtual Earth).

This covers how to install Virtual Earth and start browsing around the world in 3D and viewing what other people have created. To upload your own models and share your own creations on Virtual Earth, continue reading below!

Getting A Windows Live ID

You can use Virtual Earth to browse content provided by Microsoft and by users without a Windows Live ID. However, to add your own content to Virtual Earth such as pushpins or 3D models, you will need to have a Windows Live ID. This is to ensure you can log in and control your own content and so that space is reserved for you to store your content - it's just like registering with a a social networking site in order to be able to store your blogs, images, files, etc.

A Windows Live ID is free, and gives you access to more than just Virtual Earth content such as MSN Messenger, Hotmail, Skydrive, and many other Microsoft services and features which are all free of charge (see below). If you already use any of those services, or if you are a member of XBox Live, then you already have a Windows Live ID and can use your existing Live ID to log in to Virtual Earth.

Signing up for a Windows Live ID gives you access to these free services, as well as letting you upload content to Virtual Earth.

If you do not already have a Windows Live ID, then registration is free and simple, requiring no more information than signing up to other instant messenger or social networking sites (Windows Live ID only requires your name, state, and year of birth).

For more information about Windows Live and Windows Live IDs, and to sign up for a Windows Live ID, follow the links shown below: