CUBIZEN: Global Mapper, CityEngine & Creative Tech

Leverage + Visualizing + Urban Statistics summary This tutorial explores how to use the CityEngine Dashboard to transform raw CGA report data into intuitive Bar and Pie charts, allowing for immediate urban density and land-use analysis. Let's take a brief look at how to create charts using the Dashboard feature in CityEngine. The Dashboard is a powerful tool that provides visual feedback as you modify your procedural models. To follow along, we will use a CGA rule that generates random building heights, separates floors, and extracts necessary data into the Reports tab. Below is the code used for this workflow. CGA Code for Data Extraction attr BD_floor = rint(rand(1,8)) # Generates a random floor count between 1 and 8. attr BD_use = "" # Specify the building usage (e.g., School, Factory, Hospital) in the Inspector panel. Lot --> report("Building Area." + BD_use, geometry.area()) # Accumul...

Extract + Real-Time Data + Procedural Modeling Metrics Learn how to use the report command in Esri CityEngine to extract live statistical data such as floor counts, total floor area, and land-use metrics directly from your procedural models. When working on complex urban models in Esri CityEngine , you might have wondered: "Is it possible to get statistics on the number of buildings, the area per land use, or the total count of windows in real time?" The answer is yes. By using the report command in your CGA rules, you can display live information in the Reports tab of the Inspector panel. This data can then be easily copied into a spreadsheet for detailed analysis and reporting. The Core Concept of the Report Command The fundamental idea behind the report function is to instruct CityEngine to record specific information at a chosen stage of your rule hierarchy. Even if you are a beginner at CGA, ...

Transition from dynamic procedural models to editable static geometry and prepare clean, distortion-free facade textures. In this Esri CityEngine tutorial, we conclude our look at the Shape menu by exploring two vital tools: Convert Models to Shapes and Crop Image . These functions allow you to "freeze" procedural results for manual editing and correct perspective issues in real-world building photography. Convert Models to Shapes: Transitioning to Static Geometry The Convert Models to Shapes function is used to transform a 3D model generated by a CGA rule—or an imported 3D object—back into an editable Shape . When a building is in its "model" state, it is actively driven by a Rule File and a Start Rule. [img 1 : Model status with active Rule File and Start Rule] After applying Convert Models to Shapes , the Rule F...

Understand the hierarchical logic of CityEngine menus to simplify complex CGA coding. In this tutorial, we take a short break from technical configuration to discuss the "why" behind the "how." Many beginners struggle with CGA because they jump into the code without understanding the procedural flow. We will bridge the gap between the CityEngine interface and the logic of rule-based modeling. For those wondering when the actual CGA coding begins, I wanted to share two realizations I had while learning and understanding Esri CityEngine . 1. Why CityEngine Menus Help You Understand CGA Workflow The menus in CityEngine are not just for manual editing; they are designed to help you understand the procedural logic required for coding. If you don't grasp how the software handles shapes and models through the UI first, the code will feel abstract and frustrating. If I jump straight int...

Align building fronts and identify street-side attributes for automated zoning compliance. In this tutorial, you will master the "Compute First/Street Edges" and "Compute Edge Attributes" tools in CityEngine. These features are essential for making your CGA rules "context-aware," allowing your buildings to automatically identify their relationship with adjacent roads to trigger specific design behaviors like setbacks and entrance placements. You will also learn how to use edgeAttr , streetwidths , and edge orientation data inside CGA rules to build context-aware procedural models. Part 1: Understanding "Compute First / Street Edges" Since the theoretical explanation of First / Street Edges can feel a bit abstract, I will use CGA code to verify how they work in practice. First, let's set up road segments and building footprints as shown below. For this...

Learn how to define shape edges and control procedural building orientations using street attributes. In Esri CityEngine, First Edge and Street Edge attributes are essential for procedural modeling workflows because they define how buildings interact with surrounding streets. In this tutorial, we will explore the core concepts of the Shapes Menu in Esri CityEngine. You will learn how to configure First Edges and Street Edges, which are essential for aligning procedural buildings to street networks and generating highly realistic Digital Twins. The following short demonstration shows how First Edge orientation can be manually changed inside Esri CityEngine using the Set First Edge tool. Video Demonstration: Changing the First Edge orientation manually inside Esri CityEngine using the Set First Edge tool. Introduction to the CityEngine Shapes Menu Shapes are arguably the most important element in City...