Virtual Reality in Construction Cost Estimating By Mandy Frazure Advisors: Dr. Tulio Sulbaran Prof. Doris Kemp Prof. Doris Kemp Dr. Shelton Houston Dr. Shelton Houston

Objective It is the researcher’s intention to research existing software on the market and to develop/alter a three dimensional software program aiding in the estimating and visualization processes of the construction industry It is the researcher’s intention to research existing software on the market and to develop/alter a three dimensional software program aiding in the estimating and visualization processes of the construction industry

Activities Accomplished Identify Virtual Reality Software Identify Virtual Reality Software Identify Cost Database Identify Cost Database Acquire VR Software and Cost Database Acquire VR Software and Cost Database Filter Cost Data for Division 9 Filter Cost Data for Division 9 Get familiar with VR Software and Cost Data Software Get familiar with VR Software and Cost Data Software

Methodology Activity 1: Identify Virtual Reality Software Activity 1: Identify Virtual Reality Software Identify the software to be used in creating the project Identify the software to be used in creating the project Research by internet and/or contact persons in the AEC industry to inquire about what software that is currently being used the most in the AEC industry Research by internet and/or contact persons in the AEC industry to inquire about what software that is currently being used the most in the AEC industry Make a decision based on current programs, availability, price, and compatibility Make a decision based on current programs, availability, price, and compatibility

Identify the software to be used in creating the project- VizX3D Uses the OpenGL Render system Uses the OpenGL Render system Imports VRML Imports VRML Exports interactive 3D scenes as VRML and X3D Exports interactive 3D scenes as VRML and X3D Import Textures Import Textures A web-based window that allows you to navigate through the project A web-based window that allows you to navigate through the project

Research by internet and/or contact persons in the AEC industry to inquire about what software that is currently being used the most in the AEC industry- Contacted 21 people and found these were the programs used Autodesk Products: Viz 4****** Viz 4****** Viz 2005* Viz 2005* 3D Studio Viz* 3D Studio Viz* Architectural Desktop* Architectural Desktop* AutoCAD******** AutoCAD******** Lighscape* Lighscape*Other: FormZ**** FormZ**** Chief Architect* Chief Architect* Sketchup* Sketchup* None******* None*******

Make a decision based on current programs, availability, price, and compatibility- File types VizX3D supports: 3D Studio 3D Studio DXF DXF TrueSpace TrueSpace Wavefront Wavefront SoftImage!XSI SoftImage!XSI Lightwave Lightwave LightScape LightScape Renderware Renderware Scenery Animator Scenery Animator Stereo Lithography Stereo Lithography 3D Metaphile 3D Metaphile Direct X Direct X XGL XGL XYZ XYZ Binary DEM Binary DEM ASCII DEM ASCII DEM Micro DEM Micro DEM Imagine Imagine Sculpt Sculpt

Activity 2: Identify Cost Database Choose a cost database according to the most efficient and up to date information by researching existing construction cost estimate databases- Choose a cost database according to the most efficient and up to date information by researching existing construction cost estimate databases- RS Means- up-to-date and information easily acquired Databases: RS Means RS Means National Estimator 32 National Estimator 32 Timberline Timberline Vertigraph, INC Vertigraph, INC Master Builder 2004 Master Builder 2004 WinEstimator, INC WinEstimator, INC

Activity 3: Acquire VR Software and Cost Databases VR Software -VizX3D Downloaded online Downloaded online Cost Database -RS Means Paper Copy Paper Copy

Activity 4: Filter Cost Data for Division 9 Done Done RS Means “Building Construction Cost Data” RS Means “Building Construction Cost Data”

Activity 5: Get familiar with VR Software and Cost Data Software Get familiar with the software proposed to create project by researching linkage methods and processes to implement into the project Get familiar with the software proposed to create project by researching linkage methods and processes to implement into the project Vizx3D_1_2.vzx Vizx3D_1_2.vzx Vizx3D_1_2.vzx Linking: Php -Scripting Php -Scripting My SQL -Table Writing My SQL -Table Writing PhPMyAdmin -Creating Interface PhPMyAdmin -Creating Interface

Remaining Activities Activity 6: Create a pseudo code to link VR to cost database Activity 6: Create a pseudo code to link VR to cost database Activity 7: Identify and acquire architectural plans for VR project Activity 7: Identify and acquire architectural plans for VR project Activity 8: Create VR project Activity 8: Create VR project Activity 9: Link VR and cost database with pseudo code Activity 9: Link VR and cost database with pseudo code Activity 10: Create code and implement: Phase 1 Activity 10: Create code and implement: Phase 1 Activity 11: Create code and implement (Revisions): Phase 2 Activity 11: Create code and implement (Revisions): Phase 2 Activity 12: Prepare paper following conference proceedings Activity 12: Prepare paper following conference proceedings Activity 13: Final preparation for thesis Activity 13: Final preparation for thesis