Esri Launches CityEngine 2017

Esri, a global leader in spatial analytics, has the released Esri CityEngine 2017. This latest version of Esri's 3D modelling software offers new features that let planners and architects compare different scenarios and visualise them with dashboards to view how each would affect the same geographic area, all in real time.

With the updates available in the new version of CityEngine, users can make changes to specific features, such as adjusting the size of windows or adding a balcony, in a model without affecting the entire structure. Before this, planners would have to create two entirely different projects to understand the consequences of a proposed building's design variations.

Computer generated architecture

For this release of CityEngine, Esri focused on the needs of urban planners, designers, and architects, said Pascal Müller, director of Esri R&D Center Zurich, where CityEngine is developed. His team is proud to introduce a ground-breaking newtool concept for the scenario-based planning in a 3D application. Further, many long-awaited user requests such as measurement tools and computer generated architecture (CGA) neighbourhood queries were implemented. Additionally, the team completely revamped the graphical user interface, resulting in the fresh, modern look of CityEngine and a much improved ease of use, Müller continued.

The new CityEngine also introduces procedurally generated 3D city content. This means that planners can automatically create unique design features on buildings without manually rendering them. This feature saves time that urban planners and architects would otherwise spend generating details themselves.

Engaging citizens

Smart cities of the future will be designed more transparently, and the design process will engage citizens, said Dominik Tarolli, head of 3D geodesign business at Esri. With CityEngine 2017, smart city scenes can be created in minutes and shared via the web or Esri's ArcGIS 360 VR app in a single click.

The latest version of CityEngine is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux platforms. A free 30-day trial with full export capabilities can be downloaded at go.esri.com/CE2017.