Platforms DPM-3D — Dynamic Plant Model in 3D

DPM-3D is very effective in connecting the simulated system that our clients provide to us with our collaborative and immersive 3D environment. Our first project using DPM-3D supports up to 5 trainees and an instructor, with each able to move through the 3D scene to concurrently interact with the 3-Dimensional virtual equipment while communicating with each other. This project was developed using the Unreal engine and is expandable to support hundreds of simultaneous participants – leading to Massive Multiplayer Online Training (MMOT) capabilities.

DPM-3D supports thousands of dynamic and interactive objects including: switches, gauges, valves, indicator lights, as well as ambient and directional sounds of specific equipment (e.g. pumps, filters, generators, alarms).

A sample interaction might involve one team member turning on a series of pumps (by simply clicking on the switches in a virtual control panel), while another opens and closes a series of simulated valves (by clicking and dragging the handles to rotate) to direct the water flow of the cooling system to the appropriate power equipment. Another team member can watch the pressure and temperature gauges dynamically update as the changes are made and the system responds. By working together the team is able to achieve the desired outcome – preventing the system from over heating. All the while, the instructor can walk around the team, observing their actions and interactions – as a visible or invisible avatar.

In the previous scenario, every time a team member interacts with the equipment a message is sent from our immersive 3D environment to the existing Dynamic Plant Model (DPM). The DPM then processes how the real system would respond, and sends the resulting data back to the 3D scene – updating the gauges and indicator lights in real-time.

Due to the architecture of DPM-3D, the 3D environment is flexible for ease of updating and maintenance as the real system and DPM simulator evolves. In addition, each object within the scene can connect to any appropriate simulation system or behavior set – adding to the level of collaboration and interaction.

Despite the fact that the DPM-3D is designed to operate on commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware, the level of detail in DPM-3D is much higher than what is experienced in most game environments. The details are such that you can see what type of screwdriver or tool is needed to remove a particular panel or fastener. The needles of the gauges are actual geometry in the scene, which are dynamically rotated to match the readings or levels provided by the DPM. There are over 500,000 polygons within the 3D scene, and in all 700,000 polygons when including characters and special effects. The resolution of the primary monitor for the realtime-3D environment is 2560x1600.

The special effects include an electrical fire and a high-pressure hydraulic leak. These allow the instructor and team practice various emergency exercises that would be too costly to replicate in a physical environment due to the inevitable damage to equipment and personnel.

DPM-3D can be applied to any simulation environment that involves a high level of collaboration with extensive equipment requirements, and are often managed from within a control room.

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Resources: Videos

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DPM-3D: Dynamic Plant Model in 3D (3 Min. 53 Sec.)
DPM-3D is an immersive multiplayer environment that is integrated with a physics-driven Dynamic Plant Model (DPM). DPM-3D supports thousands of dynamic and interactive objects including: switches, gauges, valves, indicator lights, as well as ambient and directional sounds of specific equipment (e.g. pumps, filters, generators, alarms). Every time a team member interacts with the equipment a message is sent from our immersive 3D environment to the existing Dynamic Plant Model. The DPM then processes how the real system would respond, and sends the resulting data back to the 3D scene—updating the gauges and indicator lights in real-time.