The Titanic returns to Belfast the city of its birth -
Virtually
Location; Belfast Ireland
Dateline; 12 april 2012
For more information video clips hq pictures and interviews
www.virtualbelfast.com
100 years ago Harland and Wolff, then the largest shipyard in the
world used the latest cutting edge technology to build what was
the l argest moving man-made object in the world , The Titanic.
Now a century later another Belfast based company has again used
cutting edge technology to rebuild the ship in all its glory with
the added twist that it incorporates its current situation in
that the ruined hulk is situated in a virtual 3d seascape while
the opulence of the interiors is retained.
www.3dcolab.com have used the experimental
opensource software "opensimulator" to recreate the titanic in
all its glory in the online immersive interactive environment of
"Virtual Belfast"
While there are many 3d models of the Titanic this is original in
many aspects
1. it is set within the context of Belfast , the city of its
birth with many buildings that existed at the time it was built
recreated there
2. it is available online to anyone with a mid range computer and
internet access
3. users can interact with not only the model but also with other
users from around the world with text chat, quality voice chat
and other online activities
The titanic quarter of virtual Belfast consists of the drawing
office containing the original plans , the Thompson graving dock
where the ship was built and the pumphouse containing the
machinery that first floated the ship. These are the only 3
structures that still survive in Belfast with a direct connection
to the ship. After exploring these areas and the multi-media
contained within the user in the form of an "avatar" can dive
into the harbour and a stunning seascape featuring realistic
flora and fauna to be presented with the awe inspiring vista of
the sunken hulk of the great ship , ruined now and covered in
seaweed there are more surprises to come. As the avatar enters
the ship they are struck by the sharp contrast of the luxurious
interior reflecting the lost glory and opulence of the original
liner. Dressed in the style of the day as one of several
characters the user can interact with the fabric of the ship and
a variety of pre programmed characters eg dine at the captains
table dance in the grand ballroom, promenade the decks or visit
the Edwardian splendour of the tea rooms and marvel at the
engineering feat of the engine rooms.