Virtools files
1995-2013
Subseries
Sub-series 3, Virtools files, 1995—2013, contains files generated and coordinated by Virtools, a 3D visualization software used to make the Muscle move, respond to users, and play sound. It includes Virtools files, HTML files, audiovisual files (MP3s, WAVs and MPEGs), JPEGs, and applications. There are also a small number of CAD files, including 3DS, Maya, and AutoCad formats.
The Virtools proprietary formats include composition files (.cmo), player files (.vmo), object files (.nmo) and scripts files (.nms). Virtools object files and scripts files may be combined and saved as composition files using Virtools Dev, CAD-like software that also coordinates sound and movement. (Virtools Dev is located in file AP167.S1.SS3.002, Virtools software and NSA Muscle composition and player files.) From Virtools Dev, a composition file can be exported to HTML or a player file. The HTML exports no longer work due to a missing JavaScript plugin. Player files and composition files can be played back in the Virtools player; the player also allows the user to interact with player files and behaves much like a video game interface. See file AP167.S1.SS3.008, NSA Muscle interface.
Of note, the Virtools player file containing the NSA Muscle interface used at the Architecture non standard exhibition at the Centre George Pompidou is located in this sub-series. See item muscle.bat in file AP167.S1.SS3.008, NSA Muscle interface. There are also a number of other Virtools player files that allow the user to alter and interact with a virtual representation of a structure, which demonstrate ONL’s experimentation with the intersection of architecture and video game design. See file AP 167.S1.SS3.001, Early Virtools experimentation and architecture games.
This sub-series contains a number of born-digital files in CAD and 3D modeling formats. Due to the complex and often proprietary nature of CAD formats, proper rendering and use of these files may require highly specific software. CCA’s dedicated Study Room CAD workstation is loaded with a wide but incomplete range of such software. For further information about services and software available for interacting with obsolete or niche file formats, please contact Collection Reference (reference@cca.qc.ca) and ask to speak with the Digital Archivist. Some Virtools files may not work on all computers; as such, it is recommended that they are opened in a Windows XP virtual machine to assure optimal functionality. This is particularly true for applications and other executable files. Additionally, HTML files exported from Virtools use a JavaScript player hosted on player.virtools.com, a site that no longer exists. This impedes web functionality, though copies of the files for the player are likely elsewhere in this subseries. The Virtools User Guide, while not part of the records, can be made available upon request.
Material in this sub-series is roughly arranged by date.
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This directory contains files documenting ONL's early experimentation with Virtools. It includes three interactive, game-like composition and player files. The first, titled Trans-ports, allows the user to manipulate a structure's shape and lighting. The skin of the structure can also be manipulated into streaming news headlines. The second, titled Variomatic, allows the user to customize a structure by manipulating its size, shape, color, and construction materials. The third, titled Web of North Holland, allows the user to investigate the geometries of a structure, and later allows the user to move an avatar resembling Kas Oosterhuis around inside the structure. There are also a small number of additional composition files which include drafts of a 3D structure, as well as stock Virtools composition files. Original directory name: "80 nemo to virtools conversion". Most common file formats: Waveform Audio (PCMWAVEFORMAT), JPEG File Interchange Format, Waveform Audio (WAVEFORMATEX), Unidentified, Hypertext Markup Language.
1 File
Functionality for the game-like composition and player Virtools files have not been well-documented. Controls typically include the page up/down keys, arrow keys, the number pad, and the left-most characters on a QWERTY keyboard. Users are encouraged to experiment with the interactivity of these files in the Virtools player (Dev.exe).
ONL [Oosterhuis_Lénárd] NSA Muscle project records,
Collection Centre Canadien d’Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal;
Don de Kas Oosterhuis/
Gift Kas Oosterhuis
This directory chiefly contains the out-of-the-box Virtools software, located in the subdirectory titled "Virtools." This includes a variety of applications, most notably Virtools Dev, the Virtools CAD software. Applications also include the Virtools render engine, configuration specifications, the CKGUID generator, and the Decision Industrial Interface (DII) setup wizard. There are also a small number of NSA Muscle composition and player files in the "besturing" subdirectory, and a number of DII files in the "drivers" subdirectory. Original directory name: "!!!muscle cd". Most common file formats: Plain Text File, Unidentified, JPEG File Interchange Format, Windows Portable Executable, Waveform Audio (PCMWAVEFORMAT).
1 File
The applications DiiTest and ImageGenerator fail to launch. The Decision Industrial Interface setup wizard has only successfully been launched on a Windows XP virtual machine.
ONL [Oosterhuis_Lénárd] NSA Muscle project records,
Collection Centre Canadien d’Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal;
Don de Kas Oosterhuis/
Gift Kas Oosterhuis
This directory chiefly contains C++ code used to create behavior building blocks for Virtools. There are a number of executable files that appear to relate to the installation and coordination of NSA Muscle hardware. There are also a small number of Virtools composition files, as well as documentation for learning C++. Original directory name: "90 Building Blocks". Most common file formats: Plain Text File, Unidentified, Windows Bitmap, Windows Portable Executable, Generic Library File.
1 File
The executable files in this directory have only successfully been launched on a Windows XP virtual machine.
ONL [Oosterhuis_Lénárd] NSA Muscle project records,
Collection Centre Canadien d’Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal;
Don de Kas Oosterhuis/
Gift Kas Oosterhuis
This directory chiefly contains C++ code used to create the behavior building blocks for the NSA Muscle. Original directory name: "95 files on muscle computer". Most common file formats: Plain Text File, Windows Portable Executable, Unidentified, Generic Library File, Windows Setup File.
1 File
The executable files in this directory fail to launch.
ONL [Oosterhuis_Lénárd] NSA Muscle project records,
Collection Centre Canadien d’Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal;
Don de Kas Oosterhuis/
Gift Kas Oosterhuis
This directory chiefly contains audio files played by the NSA Muscle, as well as Virtools composition files which coordinate these sounds. The folder also contains the audio editing softwares Sony SoundForge and Alive MP3 Converter. Original directory name: "07 muscle music". Most common file formats: Unidentified, Waveform Audio (PCMWAVEFORMAT), MPEG 1/2 Audio Layer 3, Waveform Audio (WAVEFORMATEX), Windows Portable Executable.
1 File
ONL [Oosterhuis_Lénárd] NSA Muscle project records,
Centre Canadien d’Architecture/Canadian Centre for Architecture, Gift of Kas Oosterhuis.
This directory chiefly contains Photoshop files related to the NSA Muscle computer interface design. This includes a rendering of an aerial view of the Muscle. Original directory name: "77 exhibition interface design". Most common file formats: Adobe Photoshop, Graphics Interchange Format.
1 File
ONL [Oosterhuis_Lénárd] NSA Muscle project records,
Collection Centre Canadien d’Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal;
Don de Kas Oosterhuis/
Gift Kas Oosterhuis
This directory chiefly contains JPEGs and Photoshop files created to be used by the NSA Muscle computer interface. It also contains licensing information for an unidentified software, possibly related to the NSA Muscle computer interface. Original directory name: "MUSCLE interface". Most common file formats: JPEG File Interchange Format, Unidentified, Adobe Photoshop, Plain Text File, RAR Archive.
1 File
ONL [Oosterhuis_Lénárd] NSA Muscle project records,
Collection Centre Canadien d’Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal;
Don de Kas Oosterhuis/
Gift Kas Oosterhuis
This directory contains the application for the NSA Muscle interface used at the Pompidou exhibition. The application can be launched by clicking the muscle.bat file. Notably, this directory also contains the Virtools player, the application which plays back composition and player files. It can be launched by clicking the Player.exe file. Original directory name: "4.0 application". Most common file formats: Windows Portable Executable, Unidentified, Plain Text File, Text Configuration file, Batch file (executable).
1 File
ONL [Oosterhuis_Lénárd] NSA Muscle project records,
Collection Centre Canadien d’Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal;
Don de Kas Oosterhuis/
Gift Kas Oosterhuis
This directory contains chiefly Virtools files and CAD files, including 3DS and Maya. The Virtools files in this directory include player files and supporting files for two objects. The first is titled "keep at contant distance thing," which allows the user to interact with two objects that are constantly kept at a constant distance from one another. The other player file has several versions, all titled "Virtools," which allow the user to experiment with the volume of a Muscle-like structure by moving different vertices within the structure. The Maya files contain various 3D wireframe models, and the 3DS files largely come back as "not found." Original directory name: "75 virtools muscle simulation". Most common file formats: Unidentified, Maya Binary File Format, Plain Text File, 3D Studio, Hypertext Markup Language.
1 File
ONL [Oosterhuis_Lénárd] NSA Muscle project records,
Collection Centre Canadien d’Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal;
Don de Kas Oosterhuis/
Gift Kas Oosterhuis
This directory contains the working files of ONL intern Remko Siemerink. These chiefly include Virtools and Maya files related to the NSA Muscle and A2 Cockpit projects. There are also a number of invoices detailing his time on these projects. While this directory mostly contains Virtools files, it may overlap with other subseries. Original directory name: "remko siemerink". Most common file formats: Unidentified, Microsoft Excel 97 Workbook (xls), StarOffice Calc, Maya Binary File Format, 3D Studio.
1 File
ONL [Oosterhuis_Lénárd] NSA Muscle project records,
Collection Centre Canadien d’Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal;
Don de Kas Oosterhuis/
Gift Kas Oosterhuis
This directory contains Virtools composition, object, and script files related to the NSA Muscle. Original directory name: "76 virtools the second edition". Most common file formats: Unidentified, JPEG File Interchange Format, Plain Text File.
1 File
ONL [Oosterhuis_Lénárd] NSA Muscle project records,
Collection Centre Canadien d’Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal;
Don de Kas Oosterhuis/
Gift Kas Oosterhuis
This directory contains plans, 3D models, and Virtools files showing alternative versions of the Muscle. These may be related to later iterations of the Muscle project completed at Hyperbody. Original directory name: "05 new forms after prototype". Most common file formats: Unidentified, JPEG File Interchange Format, Tagged Image File Format, Maya Binary File Format, AutoCAD Drawing.
1 File
ONL [Oosterhuis_Lénárd] NSA Muscle project records,
Collection Centre Canadien d’Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal;
Don de Kas Oosterhuis/
Gift Kas Oosterhuis
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