In-situ 3D concept design with a virtual city

Based on a previously developed Web-based multi-tiered virtual city server, this paper reports on a further study into how online virtual city models can be turned into digital canvas for urban designers to engage in 3D concept design modelling. This research design environment, called Townscaping, provides a set of tools for users to instantiate and edit 3D graphic elements that can be positioned directly onto the virtual city model retrieved from the Web server. Because of the visual immersion and interaction afforded by virtual world technology, early concept designs could be developed as though they are worked out by designers working directly on the site, hence in-situ 3D concept design.