Virtualwind announces the commercial release of two front-end GUI (Graphical User Interface) options for its 3-D microclimate simulation software, Virtualwind 2.0. Users of the Virtualwind software will be able to design their 3D models and import those models into the Virtualwind simulator in either of the following ways:

1.  Google SketchUp Plug-In: Virtualwind has simplified the process of creating your virtual world by allowing you to import geometry from the Google^TM 3D Warehouse, which contains millions of models of existing structures and terrains, and use these models in Virtualwind 2.0. The first step is to download these models into Google SketchUp. The Virtualwind 2.0 software download and install comes with a Google SketchUp plug-in. It appears in SketchUp as a set of specific Virtualwind tools. A Virtualwind-specific icon bar, which contains a subset of the Virtualwind tools, as shown below, appears within the SketchUp screen:

The complete set of Virtualwind tools is available from the PlugIn menu in the main menu of the SketchUp screen as shown here:

Use SketchUp to add new buildings to your virtual world, or make modifications to existing SketchUp models. Once you're satisfied with your virtual world in SketchUp, use Virtualwind tools to quickly re-create that virtual world for Virtualwind. Then, simply click on the "Launch Virtualwind" icon in SketchUp.

2. STL Import Feature: For users who have created their architectural models using 3D modeling packages other than SketchUp, Virtualwind has incorporated a feature that enables them to import STL files. The majority of 3D modeling packages allow the export of models in STL format. Thus, for Virtualwind customers who do not want to use Google SketchUp as their front-end GUI, this STL import feature is an ideal alternative.

· · · · ·   

Virtualwind is an advanced research and development company dedicated to providing customers with easy-to-use software solutions to their complex flow physics problems. The core of Virtualwind's offerings is the robust Virtualwind Solver, which has enabled architectural and environmental wind engineering studies on the most advanced structures in the world. Virtualwind is a member of the RWDI Group of Companies. Established in 1972, RWDI is recognized internationally as a leading specialty consulting engineering firm.  This unique company with over 350 employees has established a worldwide clientele that seeks its expertise for solving architectural, engineering and industrial / environmental technical problems. The company offers a complete range of wind engineering, sustainable design, environmental air quality, noise and hazard/risk modeling, monitoring, and measurement services. The firm's key clients include leading architectural, mechanical and structural engineering firms, plus private and public facility owners.

* Virtualwind is a Registered Trademark of Virtualwind Inc.

* Google and Google SketchUp are copyrights of Google Inc.