The 3D Modeling Lab
The 3D Modeling Lab's primary function is to support UCLA students, staff, researchers and faculty in the development of modeling and visualization work for the UCLA Visualization Portal. Lab facilities and workstations are used to develop and produce models whose first intent is to be displayed in the Portal, or in some other real time, interactive venue. Researchers, students and faculty who have used the Lab and Portal facilities come from Geography, Architecture, Engineering, Chemistry, Mathematics, Earth and Space Sciences, Theater Film and Television, Atmospheric Sciences, Music, Design and Media Arts, Near Eastern Language and Cultures, Spanish and Portuguese, and Physics and Astronomy. Models can be architectural, sculptural, industrial, engineering, geographical or geological in nature.
While Lab staff are focused on projects that are optimally suited for the unique capabilities of the Visualization Portal they will also assist in the creation of videotapes, movies, model related data, animations, web VR objects and images that originated within these projects. The support provided by ATS includes the planning and creation of projects, as well as their display, promotion and dissemination.
The 3D Modeling Lab offers a full palette of resources to promote modeling projects and provides a well equipped production environment with a proven track record. The Lab maintains a wide variety of modeling, graphics and archiving applications on up to date workstations with specialized graphics cards. It also supports a community of modelers working on a variety of projects who assist one another with the challenges of creating models that perform well in interactive, real time environments. For additional information on the Lab go to The 3D Modeling Lab - A Summary.
Important Links
Accessing The 3D Modeling Lab
The 3D Modeling Lab is used by UCLA students, staff, researchers and faculty. Access to its facilities and staff is gained through project proposals which originate with students, staff, researchers or faculty and are screened by ATS. Applicants must also fill out a short form and undergo a brief orientation. The Lab interviews and accepts new users on an ongoing basis throughout the year. For additional information please contact : portal
ats.ucla.edu. If you are interested in applying for access to the Lab click on Gaining Access to the 3D Modeling Lab.
Reserving Workstations
Every effort is made to ensure that everyone has the access they need to the hardware and software in the Lab. For more information on becoming a registered user see Gaining Access to the 3D Modeling Lab. Registered users may reserve equipment once they have completed their orientation and are assigned accounts. For more information on reserving workstations go to 3D Modeling Lab: Reserving Workstations.
Applications Supported By The Lab
A wide variety of modeling, graphics, navigation and archiving applications are maintained on the 3D Modeling Lab workstations. All those workstations devoted to modeling are identically configured so that anyone who reserves time is sure to have the appropriate software and file systems no matter which workstation they are using. This includes applications such as Multigen Creator, Multigen Creator Terrain Studio, Maya, FormZ, 3D Studio Max, Lightscape, Photoshop, CompupicPro and vrNav. For more information on the applications supported by the Lab see Supported Applications.
Computing, Scanning, Printing And Other Resources
The 3D Modeling Lab consists of clusters of workstations most of which run Windows, and which are identically configured such that users can expect the same applications and the same performance no matter what workstation they are on. All of these workstations also have access to the same remote, large capacity file system. The Lab also provides access to a variety of printers and scanning devices. For more information on the hardware and the resources made available through the Lab see Workstations And Other Resources.
Scientific Visualization
The types of models the Lab focuses on are architectural, sculptural, industrial, engineering, geographical or geological in nature. While providing some of the tools for GIS related visualization the Lab does not actively support and host scientific visualization itself. ATS does provide a consultant who will assist in doing scientific visualization, in making navigable models and in making movies from scientific data. If you require assistance or more information in this area go to the Scientific Visualization page under Research Activities ,
or contact rnd@ats.ucla.edu. For assistance with GIS systems contact atsgis@ucla.edu.
Immediate Assistance
If you need immediate assistance with a visualization project
please contact portalats.ucla.edu.
Accessibility Information