Software ĪrcGIS CityEngine (renamed from Esri CityEngine in June 2020) was developed at ETH Zurich by the original author Pascal Mueller, co-founder and CEO of Procedural Inc. was acquired by Esri Inc and became Esri R&D Center Zurich, continually studying in the fields of computer graphics, computer vision, software engineering, finance, marketing, and business. In the summer of 2011( ), Procedural Inc. was founded and separated from ETH Zurich, the top-ranking technology university in Switzerland. CityEngine can be used within Building Information Model (BIM) workflows as well as visualizing the data of buildings in a larger urban context, enhancing its working scenario toward real construction projects.
Due to this unique feature set, CityEngine has been used in academic research and built environment professions, e.g., urban planning, architecture, visualization, game development, entertainment, archeology, military and cultural heritage. It can also use Geographic Information System (GIS) datasets due to its integration with the wider Esri/ArcGIS platform.
Unlike the traditional 3D modeling methodology which uses Computer-Aided Design (CAD) tools and techniques, CityEngine takes a different approach to shape generation via a rule-based system. CityEngine works with architectural object placement and arrangement in the same manner that software like VUE manages terrain, ecosystems and atmosphere mapping. Using a procedural modeling approach, it supports the creation of detailed large-scale 3D city models. It also gives users the freedom to transport line data in and out of CityEngine, modify 3D geometry, and shape data footprints.3D computer graphics, geodesign, procedural generationĪrcGIS CityEngine is a commercial three-dimensional (3D) modeling software application developed by Esri R&D Center Zurich (formerly Procedural Inc.) and specialises in the generation of 3D urban environments.
The application excels in the aspect of data interoperability as well since it supports the most commonly used formats for data export and import. Certain parts of specific urban contexts such as whole blocks, streets, and sidewalks can efficiently adapt to user input and provide an intuitive way of coming up with a comprehensive and complete layout of a city. The system has a feature, the Dynamic City Layouts, which allows users to generate interactive networks of streets that can be automatically updated live. Furthermore, rule-driven 3D city model enables easy iteration through different design scenarios via changing rule parameters. This empowers GIS business organizations to make stunning 3D urban environments with only the data they have as a source. The system simplifies the process of coming up with 3D contents of great quality through a combination of attributes, 2D data, and procedurally defined rules. One of Esri CityEngine’s highlight feature is its capability to design and create 3D urban scenes by utilizing the existing GIS data. The interface allows easier management of repetitive tasks, generating reports in the preferred format, and automating specific actions. No matter the aspect of development users are currently working on, be it editing with live feedback, studying reports of current developments, rule creation, etc., the system makes it easier. Here are more details:Įsri CityEngine is equipped with a customizable user interface, which means that it adapts to the current tasks at hand. The main benefits of Esri City Engine are its highly customizable user interface, capability to design and create a 3D urban scene based form GIS data, and dynamic city layout feature.
Cityengine sdk license#
There are two license levels that come with the platform, Basic and Advanced, and can work optimally on Mac, Linux, and Windows devices. It uses a procedural approach to modeling for every project and uses three key aspects in accomplishing tasks namely procedurally-defined rules, feature geometry, and feature attributes). The application also allows shows the conceptual representation of buildings to users, giving them enough data to make an informed decision that could benefit the community for years to come. Esri City Engine delivered unmatched 3D visualization power that aids users in tracking the relationship between projects and inspect their feasibility before actually implementing them. It is a robust concept design and modeling system that empowers users to easily generate and maintain 3D models of buildings and city scenes. Esri City Engine is a standalone, easy-to-use 3D editing and visualization application developed by EsriR&D for individuals and businesses in the fields of general 3D content production, GIS (Geographical Information System), entertainment, simulation, architecture, and urban planning.