How to use this demo
Syncspace is a simple service for handling automation devices and information present in real spaces. In the background, it uses an off-line software called TAD. TAD has complete object recognition. That means, it internally knows what is a "space" and what is "solid matter". It is the only BIM (Building Information Modeler) system that recognizes both spaces as well as solids. That object recognition continues even if the architect subsequently changes the physical shapes of the objects in the design. TAD files are created using a simple object oriented design software called TAD Designer Lite. That software was a result of a simple discovery in the mathematics of architectural elements by Sabu Francis, the creator of both TAD and now this new service; Syncspace. TAD has been in use since 1989. This is a simple demonstration of how a plan formatted in TAD (The Architect's Desktop) can be directly used for controlling devices.
Though TAD is technically an old software, Syncspace is a new service wrapped around TAD. This new use of TAD; which we've perfected over the last six months, shows how a TAD file can directly be rendered using SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) where the user is given a user friendly interactive version of his 'space' without one extra line of coding.
The demonstration shows a simple room with one doorway, and a light (symbolized by a small triangle) inside it. The doorway is protected by a chajja. In this demonstration if you click on the light and the chajja, their colors will change. That happens because a mouse click-event gets fired, which gets picked by the embedded Javascript, and a function in that script for changing the color kicks into place. Such a function can be made to connect to other utilities for the actual control of devices instead of just changing the color you see on the website. The software architecture of the system will have multiple-layers to handle all kinds of devices agnostically. At one end the Javascript will drive the graphics. And the other end, the system will be connected to the controls of the devices. Which means, the user is practically free to install almost any kind of automation device into the system. Currently, there are some software available for controlling automation devices, but they are usually specific to devices. Many of them are sold by the device manufacturers themselves. There are also disparate efforts from hobbyists.
The main point here is NOT SVG itself or the fact that Javascript can be used to do clever things with SVG. SVG is a well-settled, open and free format that anyone can use. So is Javascript. What is unique about this demonstration is that the SVG shown in the demo is created dynamically and directly from a TAD file. (On most browsers, if you right click on the SVG graphics and ask for the source, you will NOT see the SVG because it was constructed dynamically) This direct connection with TAD means that once the TAD file is made, all the user has to do is to simply place it in their account here, and voilą! one can immediately control all kinds of lights, switches, etc. And if the data changes, you make the changes in the TAD file and upload it again. This one-step facility is not available in any other CAD or BIM system.
You can also use such interaction to handle a "visual" database. For e.g. One can embed information about that room directly there into the SVG graphics.
Click here to load the demo in a new window. On some browsers, you may get a warning that an Activex control is being blocked. Please give the browser your permission to proceed.
Date: Oct 2, 2008
The Syncspace team