The Visual Modeling and Research Center at the Integrated Simulators Complex is the workshop, where various kinds of databases are designed and built in. Visual, Environmental, Radar and Instructor Databases as well are created for the purpose of optimized performance during run–time applications in different simulation fields: Marine, Nile River and even Railway simulation.Precision, control and accuracy for all levels of a scene are achieved by the usage of Multigen Creator Software that provides immersive control over the entire modeling process, and the polygon-based authoring system, that generates optimized and highly detailed models for the creation of realistic simulation environments.A texture power tools that coordinates for easy 3D texture mapping is used in the creation of the Visual Modeling Database.
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In general, the database team is responsible forbuilding four kinds of databases: visual, environmental,instructor and radar databases, at the same time theteam categorizes the simulated visual databases into 3levels of details: highly detailed, medium detailed andlow detailed, according to the port’s nature, client’srequirements, approved agreements. Consequently our generic database modeling(standard level) includes the following major points:
Accordingly, definite time required to accomplish a generic database port is determined, depending upon the Port’s size, and the required details by customer. On the other hand, a 6 degree of Ship Dynamic Models (SDM) that includes various kinds of vessels and traffic ships, with its 3 loading conditions (Full, half and ballast), are available at the Integrated Simulators Complex for training purposes.
The four kinds of databases
Ports’ Database building consists of four main branches:
This is one of the main, effective stages in building a database for any area, where the database designer creates and designs all the visual objects of the concerned area by using one of the most powerful graphics’ software “MULTIGEN Creator” which is the industry’s leading direct-purpose real-time 3D modeling software, that allows the creation of high fidelity and extremely realistic 3D simulation content, that is application-ready. The software provides precise control over the entire modeling process, and, like animation-based modellers, Creator offers the flexibility necessary for modeling from multiple points of view. These features streamline and simplify the modeling process, thereby increasing work productivity.
Shore lines, Navigational Aids, Land objects, Cranes, Mountains, Buildings, Lighthouses, Bridges, Traffic ships, Bow images...etc. are built in 3D. Consequently the whole visual database is tested in order to be compiled to the different simulators in the ISC (Main Bridge, Fast Boat, Tug Boat, and the IBS simulators), which provides a view of 360º, and 180º.
Nautical charts, pilots’ books, architectural drawings, detailed photos of objects are required for the Modeling of the visual Database.
,All necessary information of the wind, current, depths and bank effects of the concerned modeled ports are created too.
,A Radar Database is also designed to enable the trainee having a radar image of the area during the manoeuvres on the radar device.
,Also, a Geo-Plot (Instructor) Database is designed to give the instructor an overview outline of the port in 2D that will be illustrated on the Instructor device during scenario run-time, thus helping during the trainee evaluation process.
Researches & Consultations
,One of the main roles of the Visual ModelingDatabase Center in coordination with the Full MissionShip Handling Simulator Department is executingresearches, providing consultations, as well as carryingout research projects for the maritime industryand supporting these researches with detailedconsultations and recommendations.
After building the database, the area of interest willbe navigationally examined by the Full Mission ShipHandling Simulator Department. Port examinationis based on several simulated manoeuvres underseveral environmental conditions with different shiptypes. The results of these manoeuvres will end witha detailed report accompanied by recommendationsdescribing the level of safety and validity of the“design” of the area of interest.
The Ship Handling Simulator Department and theVisual Modeling Database Center have executedseveral national and international projects andresearches to support the training purpose ofthe maritime field since the establishment of theIntegrated Simulators Complex in 1996.
,The center has made several updates andmodifications simultaneously with the execution ofany ports and quays’ extensions within Alexandria,Dekheila and Damietta Ports.
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They have been created by the center as a subcontractorfor Ship Analytics Co. to the US CoastGuard.
,The Center has built four main ports in the UnitedArab Emirates which are:
A complete Visual Database was built and createdcovering an area over 700 km alongside the river nilestarting from Cairo and ending at Aswan.
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About 45 Railway stations were modeled for thepurpose of Werdan Railways Training Institute. Thedatabase includes stations along more than 1500 kmof railways covering Egypt’s most important cities fromAlexandria to Aswan including all the surroundinglandscape and important details.
