Skyscraper 2.0 Alpha 11 Update 2

Overview

Skyscraper is a first-person building and elevator simulation software that uses 3D to good effect. The software lets the user create their own virtual building.

The OGRE graphics engine is used to render the 3D virtual simulation of the building with coding in C++ for speed. The package simulates a 138-store skyscraper named the Triton Center in as realistic a package of 3D elements as possible.

The software aims to offer real-time building simulation for anyone interested in creating new buildings, adding elevator simulations, plus floors, walls, stairs, windows, and more. It is also intended to be used in gaming environments with a component included for physics and collisions, FMOD for realistic sounds, the wxWidgets GUI library used for visuals, and designed to be multi-platform too. The gaming support is planned for both single and multi-player support across a network.

Escalators can be found between some floors. These rows of escalators can take users diagonally upwards or downwards between levels.

There is a bank of elevators with reflective doors, elevator movement indicators above the doors, and a button to press to bring one of the elevators to the current level. These are situated on each floor of the building for the convenience of the people in the building.

Rows of elevators that are actually functional are built into the Triton Center simulation. There is an elevator editor which lets the user completely customize what floor and number the elevator uses, what shaft, its height and width, where it is situated, whether the alarm has been tripped or the brakes or emergency stop has been set, and many other features. The level of specificity is really quite something.

For an example of what is possible, there is Chiefboz Tower which was developed as an alternative tower project. A 200-story tower in Prism, a fictional city, built privately completely for the Skyscraper Simulator package. This includes such details as 9 floors with 24 offices / meeting rooms, 6 elevators that are perfectly functional within the Skyscraper simulator, plus a mezzanine level and an attractive lobby. A Glass Tower simulator has also been created in Skyscraper which was modeled on the building from the movie, “The Towering Inferno.”

Installation

The software required 11.4 MB of available space to complete the setup package. The installation completed without any difficulties.

There were no adware, toolbars, malware or spyware included with the setup program.

Skyscraper requires Windows OS.

Interface

The interface is detailed with an incredible number of options to configure in order to build a skyscraper from scratch. As such, this is not a 3D game where the user can flow through it but a simulator that can keep the user busy for many evenings as they put together their 3D masterpiece.

Efficient and functional with as many configurable options as could possibly be expected.

Pros

• Create a 3D realistic building simulator including building elements, functional elevators, and more
• Rendering engine
• Detailed editors
• Sound library
• Add elevators, escalations, floor, lobby and mezzanine details

Cons

• Early stage development which is happening slowly with new features being added as the version develops
• Incredible number of options which could be confusing or overwhelming for new users

Alternatives

SceneCity lets the user create whole cities via a script within minutes.

Conclusion

Skyscraper is an interesting 3D project for developing skyscrapers as tall and impression as you like with functional elevators and other interesting elements.