Framework for Real-Time Virtual Crowds in Cultural Heritage Environments.

The creation of real-time 3D representations of cultural heritage sites is be coming more common. However, empty streets can seem sterile and lifeless. We present a framework that coversthe processes required to bring static models of scenes/buildings from a 3D modelling package into a real-time navig ation & interaction system and the addition of crowds of virtual humans to the world. Creation of 3D chara cters is often a time consuming task and thus methods have been employed to create the illusion of greater varie ty in the crowd without additional modelling requirements. Efficient rendering of the crowd is also importan t; they should enrich the scene without detracting from the real-time experience. We also present the use of a grid based behaviour system which scales to sufficiently large crowds (in excess of 1000 individuals), and the use o a series of pre-computed image maps for fast retrieval of values for the automatic placement of people in the scen e, where they can move (including archways) and the changes to their behaviour near obstacles.