DIY Aquarium & Habitat Design & Layout Software INPUT WANTED

[udoobu]

Hi, all! I am taking on a person project of developing a 3D design and layout software for aquariums and other related habitats that fit in a glass enclosure. I realize that there has been a demand for something of quality in this realm for years now. I am making this a personal project of mine. I will be the primary designer and creator, but I will be looking to the community for ideas and features - because you all know it best.


Details for the software:

Tech: An open-source 3D engine.

Platforms: Windows & Mac desktop software, hosted in-browser version, also future Android release if possible.

Description: This 3D design and layout software allows enthusiasts and professionals to construct, design, layout, and light aquarium and similar habitats that contain foliage, water, rocks, wood, etc.

Some planned features:

• Browse an ever-growing catalog of 3D assets
• Choose the base size of your habitat
• Place, resize, and reskin 3D models of foliage, rocks, water, wood, etc
• Import custom 3D models
• Add lighting, choose attributes such as color, direction, and intensity
• Create and View your habitat in 3D space: rotate, zoom, auto-tour, etc
• Capture video and screenshots of any angle
• Generate a materials list of every asset you used.
• Add fish (Planned, but this is a whole thing in itself.)
• AND MUCH MORE!!!

So... I need your help community!!!

I will not be selling this software. It will be free, however, as an independent I will most likely have an avenue for accepting donations. Also, I will have to outsource a lot of the 3D modeling of assets that I can't do myself.


STEP ONE: Reply to this thread or send me a DM stating your interest. You don't need to give details, just that you would like to be included on the planning committee. Also, feel free to discuss features at your convenience, but not necessary at this time.

Thank you!
Cory

 

[79chopperdr]

Neat idea, following along.

 

[asid61]

This seems very cool. However, it is a very large project that I feel would work better with people who can help you code.

What would be the purpose of this? Would it help determine stocking, or what nonmotile livestock to choose?

 

[msderganc]

Awesome idea!

 

[udoobu]

Thanks, guys!

@asid61 The main purpose of this software is to allow enthusiasts the ability to design habitats virtually for the sake of planning for a DIY build or simply sharing design ideas. All of the models and graphics will have photo-realistic textures and lighting.

From my perspective, this isn't actually a very difficult software to build. I already have the 3D engine I'm using AND I already know how to use it. At the basis, all I am doing is importing models and placing them on a plane. It's the rendering and features that will be the meat of the software. One of the biggest undertakings for this, imo, will be the 3D models. Which there are plenty available already that I can use for demo or alpha.

 

[udoobu]

OH! I will be putting together a "tech demo" that I will link here sometime in the next few days. Just to give a small view of what the lighting and rendering looks like.

 

[asid61]

Great then! I can't wait to see what this could be.
I will really be using this if it comes out, as I often think up all sorts of ideas for unique aquariums.

 

[mallard]

Subscribed!

 

[feersomen]

Google sketch up has some great renderings and aquarium layouts. Hope you can expand on it

 

[houstonhobby]

Should be JavaScript (probably ExtJS/Sencha) but do 3d drawing using webgl. I'm chief architect for two different software vendors (at the same time) and that is what I would tell them.

 

[udoobu]

@mallard Thank you!

@feersomen Yeah, I have seen some and they are definitely a good reference point.

@houstonhobby Thank you for the suggestion. I'm going a little more powerful on the tech though. I'm using a Java based 3D framework that I have experience with. The purpose of the software isn't for diagramming necessarily, but more aesthetic design and layout. Envision being able to place objects in 3D space from a catalog of decorations. Or, setup rock formations based on predetermined rock shapes. Interesting that you mention ExtJS - I once used it to build a UI with dashboards, etc for a State agency.

 

[Jeff000]

I think this is an ambitious project, and if you're doing it for a hobby school project type thing all the power to you.

But if you are looking to make any kind of money on this I would save your time.

Decorations in salt water aren't really used. Maybe this software would be of more use for fresh water?
And as much as you'll be able to make custom sized live rock it really won't help. Unless you can figure out how to import pictures of the actual rock someone buys and 3d model them and figure out how those rocks will stack the most stable to fill a more basic geometric template.

As others have said the actual tank and plumbing side has much more use. But at this point it would be easy to just develop a few aquarium specific models for Google sketch up. As they already have most any plumbing parts you could think of.

 

[KusabiKuri]

Definitely will keep up with this and offer any input I can.

I tried Sketch up and while it's actually pretty awesome, I find that the accuracy of tank layouts is pretty much up to whoever contributed a model. I found an awesome-looking 20L model that I started to work with for a sump and as soon as I made my first baffle I realized that the glass width on the model was not accurate.

I think a 3D CAD program targeting the aquarium community would hold worlds of value if it could easily produce accurate representations of tanks and hardware. A cherry on top would be to offer calculations like water volume, sand, actual flow rates, etc. Hell a software of that caliber could potentially automatically flag issues like the need to brace thinner glass or having not enough siphon to keep up with return flow. I imagine it to be likened to a software compiler. When you have all the pieces in place you run a simulation and it returns errors or weaknesses in the design.

 

[Jeff000]

Definitely will keep up with this and offer any input I can.

I tried Sketch up and while it's actually pretty awesome, I find that the accuracy of tank layouts is pretty much up to whoever contributed a model. I found an awesome-looking 20L model that I started to work with for a sump and as soon as I made my first baffle I realized that the glass width on the model was not accurate.

I think a 3D CAD program targeting the aquarium community would hold worlds of value if it could easily produce accurate representations of tanks and hardware. A cherry on top would be to offer calculations like water volume, sand, actual flow rates, etc. Hell a software of that caliber could potentially automatically flag issues like the need to brace thinner glass or having not enough siphon to keep up with return flow. I imagine it to be likened to a software compiler. When you have all the pieces in place you run a simulation and it returns errors or weaknesses in the design.

The problem isn't that the model was bad, it's that the model was not for your tank.

It's really easy to make a tank in sketch up. There is no way his software would be any more accurate. You'll always have to measure your tank and compare to the model.

An engineering level program is out there, but they are very expensive for a reason.

 

[KusabiKuri]

The problem isn't that the model was bad, it's that the model was not for your tank.

It's really easy to make a tank in sketch up. There is no way his software would be any more accurate. You'll always have to measure your tank and compare to the model.

An engineering level program is out there, but they are very expensive for a reason.

The aim of that particular object package was to have the exact tank as mine but I think it was made more for interior design and not tank design.

But I think if the guy can make a software package happen that works as well as something like sketch up but has some unique aquarium-centric design tools, then it's not really a waste of his time and I can't imagine it not gain widespread use in the hobby. If even as a way to sharpen engineering skill it has a great deal of value.

 

[Jeff000]

The aim of that particular object package was to have the exact tank as mine but I think it was made more for interior design and not tank design.

But I think if the guy can make a software package happen that works as well as something like sketch up but has some unique aquarium-centric design tools, then it's not really a waste of his time and I can't imagine it not gain widespread use in the hobby. If even as a way to sharpen engineering skill it has a great deal of value.

I agree it's a hobby or learning level the program will be great. But it'll never make money.

 

[udoobu]

@KusabiKuri @Jeff000 Thanks a lot for the input guys. I'm reading back through now and responding.

 

[udoobu]

@KusabiKuri @Jeff000 Also, what particular pumps / filters / etc are you using now? You don't have to go into much detail, just maybe just make and model of a couple things?

 

[Jeff000]

@KusabiKuri @Jeff000 Also, what particular pumps / filters / etc are you using now? You don't have to go into much detail, just maybe just make and model of a couple things?

You're a fresh water guy eh?

Not many filters used really. But for pumps a good start would be reeflo pumps. But there are literally 1000s. Go have a look through some of the build threads on here.

 

[KusabiKuri]

Yeah not many filters which is why it's important to be able to design your sump