Challenge:

Over this last year, the push for a "server-based" software, in which real-time data is stored and accessed via the internet directly to your workstation, has increased vastly: the ability to tap into a current database of information is a powerful method of producing accurate, up-to-date solutions. Project Showroom envisions a vast catalog of home furnishings to decorate and stylize homes, with the end goal being able to completely furnish a house, and realistically visualize the interior.

Tactics:

• Streaming, Interactive Flash Presentation, self-guiding
• UI style combines aspects from AutoCAD MEP 2008, AutoCAD 2009, and Windows Vista, in addition to Noble's own, proprietary stylizing
• Unprecedented interactivity/realism achieved via Actionscripting, image-swapping, rollovers, and simple UI details
• Actionscript 2.0 framework, comprised of hundreds of interactive renders
• Highly detailed software involvement, including moveable palettes, docking windows, functioning tabs/buttons/rollovers, and an up-to-date command line used to drive demo
• Contemporary, unique perspective viewport, combining cell-shading, global illumination, and the Mental Ray renderer into a new style of real-time texturing.

Employing a similar strategy to Project Stella, Showroom utilized a large number of photo real renderings focused on the interaction of the user with catalog objects. Built to demonstrate the benefits of being connected to such a large database of information and having such control over their interactions with one another, the corollary to this real-time server was the quality of the 3D models/interiors used in this software prototype. Rendered in two different qualities, Showroom was initially launched along with a survey, asking users to specify which version of the presentation was better-received: sure enough, high-quality photorealism was the clear winner.

Results:

Similar techniques to previous Autodesk projects were used to create these streaming, web-based Flash prototypes, the first of its kind. Beyond the many still images, advanced Actionscripting and a solid UI design took the concept from wireframe to completed presentation, once again winning intense praise as an innovative, contemporary method of both communicating solid software solutions as well as opening yet another niche in an already perforated market.

Testimonial:

"Jarrod has done a great job directing his crew at Noble Studios for my product. He listens to what we need and takes his deliverables (product and timeline) very seriously. The final result was beautiful, highly impactful and on-time, vs. a very challenging timeframe. I would never hesitate to call Jarrod when additional work pops up and I recommend him highly to all my colleagues and friends."

Sr. Product Manager at Autodesk