Tag: mobile

We have updated our WebGL rendering engine FRAK 2. Many old code parts have been removed and loading 3D models is now much faster.

Two months ago we released new version of our open-source rendering engine FRAK. As there has been many important changes, it is called FRAK 2 now. New FRAK engine can be used in 3D Wayfinder through “development” template. FRAK 2 will be more GLTF oriented and it is built for using AR (Augmented Reality) in 3D Wayfinder. This opens up a lot of new features we have been waiting to see in our wayfinder software.

FRAK 2 will soon be in all 3D Wayfinder templates. But before this, we still need some fixes and improvements. For now – we have mostly removed “old” code and made it better and faster for 3D Wayfinder. In the dynamic realm of technology, where innovation is the heartbeat of progress, the need to rewrite code has become more than just a periodic necessity — it’s a strategic imperative for us. As applications evolve and user expectations skyrocket, the demand for robust, scalable, and efficient wayfinding software has never been higher. As browsers and mobile devices develop constantly further, so are we, with our wayfinder software.

In this fast-paced landscape, clinging to outdated code can be a barrier to growth and a breeding ground for vulnerabilities. Let’s delve into why rewriting code is not just a luxury but a crucial step towards ensuring the longevity and success of any application.

Most important things we have done:

1. Removing Hammer.js for touch events

We have been using Hammer.js for touch-enabled screens (wayfinding kiosks). The purpose of using hammer.js was lacking support for touch-devices. But nowadays many Windows and Linux devices have also touchscreens and browsers have much better support for touch events. So removing Hammer.js gives us cleaner code and better handling for controlling map movements.

2. Enabling parallel loading of 3D models and other files

Parallel loading of 3D models and other files gives faster initial loading for 3D Wayfinder. We are still capable of rendering maps before loading textures.

By loading larger 3D models simultaneously provides shorter overall loading time. Faster loading is better for wayfinding kiosks, but mostly it gives advantage for mobile devices. As modern mobile devices are quite good for showing 3D maps, we are focusing on making 3D Wayfinder to work on mobile devices also. Faster loading will also be important for AR and VR options, that will be soon available in our wayfinder software.

The development of our new 3D Wayfinder mobile applications for Android and IOS is in the final stages. It will be available in a short time. You will be able to create 3D Wayfinder applications for your venues and enable the download for people that will make it easy to find the way.

The app is based on the popular Ionic framework (Web based). Ionic is a very easy to setup and customizable mobile app framework. It uses AngularJS and Cordova. We will OpenSource the application source code so you can make Your own version.
We will also add Geolocation and iBeacon based positioning support in the near future.

We have updated path finding functionality and path calculation. Now it is possible to change the weights of navigation nodes in 3D Wayfinder floor plan editor.

Path-finding application calculates automatically the shortest route from the starting node to the required location. In mobile applications, the Kiosk node can be your position inside the building. With 3D Wayfinder, the shortest route is calculated in a 3 dimensional room. It means the shortest path through all the floors.

Now it is possible to change the weights of the connection nodes. With this wayfinding application calculates optimal route, which doesn’t have to be the shortest. For example when you would like to guide your visitors to use the path inside the building instead of going around the building. Then you can set the weight for outdoor nodes higher. The weight is basically virtual length that will be added to the route, when passing the navigation node with a weight.

To use the weights you have to select the navigation node in 3D Wayfinder floor plan editor and change the node weight from the text box. By default all the weights are 0.

For example lets, say that waiting for the elevator takes usually 3 minutes. Lets assume, that visitors are moving with a speed of 3 km per hour, which is 50 meters per minute. So with waiting the elevator, visitor can pass 150 meters (3*50). If we would like to take account this in path calculation. Then we can add weight of 150 to the navigation node, that is marked as elevator.

Pathfinding functionality comes bundled in an add-on you can order from 3D Wayfinder Administration panel. It is also included in the Pro plan.

Read more about 3D Wayfinder’s path-finding capabilities.

We are proud to announce the release of our newly redesigned website which goes live today 17.02.2014. It is located at the same address www.3dwayfinder.com. New website is more modern and user-friendly. Improved and re-designed landing page welcomes visitors with clean exquisite design. With featured content focused on providing our clients and partners the most accurate product information. You will immediately notice simple navigation options. Also easy access to information that is important. The website will be updated on regular basis with news, events, product updates and other new contents.

We hope You will like and enjoy the new website. Also we would very flattered if You will stop by at the new site.

If You have any suggestions on how we could make the website even better, don’t hesitate to share it with us by clicking here.

New website includes many improvements and new features. Some of the most important ones are listed below:

• Improved navigation.
• Precise overview of kiosk, mobile and web application.
• Overview of different maps (3D, semi 3D and 2D).
• Technical information.
• Categorized resellers and their contact details.
• New design is fully responsive. Which means You can now enjoy all of the content on mobile phones and tablets.

The whole team of 3D Technologies R&D wishes You a merry christmas and a happy new year.

According to Google, self-service is becoming the new norm – 1 in 3 shoppers use their smartphones to find information instead of asking the store employees. 74% of adult smartphone owners aged 18 and older say that they use their phones to get directions or other information based on their current location. (Source: Pew Internet)

Way finding outdoors is easy, because there are so many different navigation softwares guided by the GPS. But people also need an indoor wayfinding solution because buildings nowadays have become very complicated. There is a great need for a simple indoor wayfinding solution for mobile devices. Therefore we offer 3D Wayfinder mobile app for Android and iOS. Soon it will be available on Windows Phone as well. It helps people to navigate indoors and get the latest deals. It is a tool for retailers to advertise their brand or product on the map. The solution has many benefits:

We are pleased to announce that we have made ​​significant progress in the development of a WebGL version of 3D Wayfinder. We are planning to implement it in Atrium shopping center in Russia. WebGL and the power of HTML5 gives new cool designing opportunities for upcoming projects.

Our partner, Akzia Apps has created a super-awesome design. In the near future we will offer You this exclusive chance to be one of the first who gets a glimpse of this cool project. We plan to create all our future projects in WebGL to provide better user experience.

3D Wayfinder does not mean 3-dimensional buidling directory

The whole 3D Technologies R&D team is putting a lot of energy into product development to provide better navigation (wayfinding) for our existing and future partners. We are devoting a lot of time into innovating and testing new solutions. Our team is convinced that the best solutions grow out from engaging in dialogue with users of our products.

Our latest customer surveys revealed that there is also a market for more simpler version of 3D Wayfinder for smaller buildings with smaller budgets. We already receive requests for such solutions and hopefully first one will realize soon.

Maximize ROI

Advertising on smartphones and tablets has shown rising trends in the world and it is becoming more important information channel. 3D Wayfinder is an excellent channel for advertising to reach all user groups. It enables to advertise on all three platforms kiosk, mobile and web, which makes the solution an effective e-commerce channel.

Mobile & Web version

To meet the needs of our customers we have launched a mobile version for Android and iOS users. Windows Phone users can expect the mobile app soon. It has all the basic functions – search, deals, map etc. The building map is 2D so it could work smoothly and simply on most smartphones and tablets. The map is converted from 3D to 2D, to preserve its preciseness and to automate the process of updating. Exactly the same content that is in the kiosk and web version. All managed from one CMS. Mobile offer even more possibilities to integrate different custom solutions like social networks, loyal customer schemes, timetables and other useful features.

You can download the mobile app from your app store by searching “Lounakeskus” or, simply just scan the QR code below.

If you wish to see the web directory in action then visit Lõunakeskus website (South Center).

We would appreciate any feedback, so if You have any questions, recommendations or desire for cooperation, just let us know.

3D Technologies R&D presented it’s 3D Wayfinder software at Rock IT Con 2013 fair from 24-25 of August. It was a first time event specialized on bringing together IT companies from Russia and Estonia. Our software got a lot of attraction by many companies and also by visitors from the street. We had a good opportunity to present some of our projects on our partners ML Novator’s kiosk.

We’re happy to announce that we have a new reseller in Canada, Diopso inc. If you have any questions regarding touch screen kiosk hardware or wayfinding software from this region please contact Mr. Jacques Clermont (j.clermont@diopso.com)

Now we have a reseller in Hong Kong and Macau area, Look Easy Group Limited. In case of any queries from this region please contact Mr. Nuno Duque at nuno@lookeasy.asia