Computer Scientists Grow a Better Virtual Tree

Reservoir Hill points us to a story about a group of computer scientists who are taking steps to bring the creation of 3-D worlds to the casual user. As a proof-of-concept, Vladlen Koltun and the Stanford Virtual Worlds Group, using data collected by botanists, have developed software to create virtual 3-D trees with roughly 100 different tree attributes, all of which are highly variable. Quoting: "The inability of casual computer users to build 3-D objects - you practically have to be a sculptor, Koltun says - is an anchor holding back the promise of virtual worlds. Koltun's software, Dryad (a tree nymph in Greek mythology,) lets users move through the 100-attribute tree space in a fashion similar to navigating city streets on Google Maps. As in real life, not all trees are equally desirable. Since no single user is capable of mapping out the best parts of the enormous tree space, this mapping of desirability is done collaboratively, leading to continuous refinement of the software."

Dryad

[Anonymous Coward]

Is it me or does building a better tree *nymph* seem like a more worthwhile project?

Environment

[Anonymous Coward]

The Virtual Greenpeace will be pleased

Re:Doesn't run on Linux

[chuckymonkey]

As soon as we finish compiling it
This [xkcd.com] is all that needs to be said.

I won't rest

[maroberts]

..till computer scientists forget trees and grow better Bush.

Another quality product from SVWG

[PinkyDead]

Slartibartfast - The virtual fjord designer.

I think that I shall never see

[rodney dill]

a poem as lovely as a parameterized tree....

Re:Doesn't run on Linux

[supertsaar]

he he. Sometimes I wish I was a programmer... (only sometimes)

Re:Already existed.

[IBBoard]

It generates real-time trees? You mean you get to plant the seed and watch it grow, day by day, week by week? Sure it'd be slow and take a while to complete, but can you imagine realism factor in games!

Re:Dryad

[angus_rg]

I was thinking more of a well trimmed bush with some double D. Of course, I'm not one who likes a lot left to the imagination.