Features and capañities of non-traditional programs for architectural modeling and visualization on the example of the game "MINECRAFT"

Tseluiko Dmitrii Sergeevich Senior Lecturer, Department of Architecture and Urban Studies, Pacific State University 680000, Russia, Khabarovskii krai, g. Khabarovsk, ul. Tikhookeanskaya, 136, kab. 506 Dima123117@gmail.com

Shnaider Gleb Igorevich Student, Department of Architecture and Urban Studies, Pacific State University 680000, Russia, Khabarovskii krai, g. Khabarovsk, ul. Tikhookeanskaya, 136, kab. 506 Referal.martirosyan@gmail.com

Introduction

The world of the architectural industry is undergoing great changes, this is expressed both in unusual forms and materials of buildings, and in design programs. Each of which has its own characteristics and tools, due to which it facilitates the creation of a certain category of volumes. This makes it possible to develop a certain style trend, an example of this is the Rhinoceros program with the Grasshopper plugin, which allows you to easily create and modify complex objects.

But in addition to complex programs with many functions, there are also simple ones that are more entertainment than a serious tool, but can interest the user and direct him to the path of the future architect. One of the most popular games of this type is Minecraft. It is familiar to every student and schoolboy, for a reason, because the creative potential of this game is almost inexhaustible. But how is it related to architectural design and design?

The game is a cubic world consisting of blocks of various materials. The conditional size of each block is taken as 1m3, and a flat surface consisting of blocks is a 1x1 m grid to which other blocks are bound. The modeling process takes place on the principle of drawing a plan from blocks on a plane and then erecting walls, which is similar to the classical modeling approach in programs. The rendering (visualization) process is different from the "architectural" one, there are no classic tools in the game to adjust the parameters of light, effects and picture quality. Visualization is carried out during the game and does not require special settings. To create a frame, you need to take a regular screenshot. Fast visualization is carried out by a video chip on a video card or processor. Shaders (textures) for rendering require a large amount of computer resources, but you can configure it for any computer, lowering the resolution of textures and reducing the drawing distance.

But cubes alone are not enough for full–fledged modeling, the game provides for the possibility of absolutely any modification by "mods" - third-party add-on programs that have almost everything you need for creativity or for a variety of games. It is possible to add furniture, flora, fauna, new block materials, etc. which allows you to create a more "lively" environment.

Who might need a game as a replacement for modeling and rendering programs? Firstly, children and teenagers who are just beginning to reveal their creative potential. In order not to learn programs that are difficult for them, which can scare them away, you can let them express themselves in architecture through a game with a more intuitive interface. Secondly, absolutely all students of architects and designers, including professionals with experience to create a sketch project, because it is much easier for this game to model an abstract idea without going into the details of the form.

Creating a model

As part of the study, the process of creating a model was studied, the analogue of which was a project carried out in the Archicad program. The simulation stages in the game will not be fundamentally different from the design in the program. Minecraft should be positioned as a platform with a simplified interface and a smaller set of tools, which makes the work easier in part.

The first stage is the definition of the development area and its preparation (Fig. 1). At this stage, it is necessary to determine the territory according to the following criteria:

1. Suitable terrain. In some situations, it can be neglected, since the relief can be edited manually, but without certain modifications it can take a long time, which is unacceptable for rapid sketch modeling.

2. Aesthetically attractive environment. It can be recreated by yourself, which will not require as much time as for a relief, since it can be edited within the view frame. Without doing extra work.

     Fig. 1. Open world in the game Fig. 2. The process of foundation creation

3. The criterion of building height relative to clouds is important. The sky is generated automatically and its height cannot be changed. If the building is located close to the sky, then clouds can completely block the structure.

4. Orientation relative to the cardinal directions. It is important to consider how the sun will illuminate the structure at sunrise and sunset. This will determine the layout of the premises inside the building according to the insolation and the final view frames.

In the case of the project under consideration, the site at the top of the hill was leveled.

    Fig. 3. The construction of walls.                       Rice. 4. Creating ceilings and roofs.

The second stage is drawing the plan (Fig. 2). For more convenient editing of the plan, it is necessary to position the camera at a comfortable height (visual coverage of the construction site) and point it down. After that, you need to decide on the block from which the conditional drawing will consist. Using a ready-made in-game grid, we determine the pitch of the load-bearing elements. In the projected building, the pitch of the columns is 6 blocks. Having decided on the composition of the premises and the layout, we create a substrate for the walls (plan).

The third stage is the construction of walls and the development of the form.The concrete material was chosen for the model. We raise the first floor relative to the plan. Window and door openings can be created by destroying the blocks necessary for this after the construction of the wall. It is worth blocking the floor with "half blocks" – this will give another half meter of ceiling for the first floor. The material for the floor is also the material of the floors. With the help of modifications, it is possible to achieve a more realistic pie of the floor (Fig. 3).

     Fig. 5. The finished model of the building.                                 Rice. 6. View frame.

The fourth stage is the completion of the "box" at home.At this stage, a roof is being created. Depending on its shape, the set of blocks may vary. In the study, a modification was used that allows you to adjust the slope of the "half-blocks". At this stage, additional elements of the structure are created, such as canopies, terraces, chimneys, etc. (Fig. 4).

The fifth stage is detailing. Allows you to more fully reveal the original idea of the project, filling it with small architectural elements and forms. Glazing, decoration, selection of materials for surfaces and the addition of entourage and staffage. All this will improve the view frames and make the construction complete.

Fig. 7. View from the window.

For the qualitative development of the interior idea, modifications are required that add furniture, partitions and appliances (Fig. 7).

                Fig. 8. Night view.                           Fig. 9. A model made in Archicad

Thus, the model was made not so much detailed and high-quality as easily constructed and transmitting volume. After all the stages are completed, it becomes much easier to implement it in professional programs, for example, in Archicad. Since after creating a model in Minecraft, the user has an idea about the shape and size of the building, which is very important for undergraduates. Having created an axial grid, it is possible to easily build a model, freely editing with the right tools. Also, some stages of modeling in Minecraft can be used in the architectural presentation, as an addition to the view frame.

Conclusion

The use of game elements in the architectural industry is not something new. Designers use a variety of modeling and visualization principles originally created by gaming companies. One of the striking examples is visualization using the Unreal Engine game engine. Many models of the environment that are in the public domain have been borrowed from games. But architecture also has its own reverse effect, requesting more realistic visualizations and simple tools for creating complex shapes. The interconnection of these "worlds" is much stronger than it may seem at first glance. And one of the points of contact is the Minecraft game. Created primarily for entertainment purposes, it has won many fans around the world. However, the use of this tool is possible both for education and for the development of creative skills, presenting it in a playful way.

The modeling process shown in the article demonstrates both the disadvantages of the game in the architectural sphere, in the form of difficult detailing and the creation of small objects, the lack of primitives of objects and families, as well as unrealistic visualization, which is important in the work of an architect. However, these same factors are also advantages for a novice designer, because of the simplicity of the tools and the intuitiveness of the menu, the game is more understandable and accessible. The "visual" features of the game can attract children who from an early age will develop their spatial thinking, the importance of the material, the settings of the scene and the environment in the render.

For architects and designers, this game will become an assistant in the generation of projects that can be used at an early stage of design, and for younger audiences it will become an assistant in the implementation of abstract ideas, which will form their idea of the stages of creating a project in a lightweight form.