Each year, boating enthusiasts and maritime lovers flock to Lelystad in The Netherlands to experience the Hiswa Te Water event — a premier showcase of the finest boats, yachts, and watercraft innovations. This event, held in the scenic Bataviahaven marina, captures the essence of maritime culture with its vibrant displays and community gatherings.
But this year, the Hiswa Te Water event has taken a groundbreaking leap into the digital realm with a state-of-the-art digital twin, created using Unreal Engine 5.3 and advanced tools like Fluid Flux 3 for water simulation and Ultra Dynamic Sky for real sky Simulation. Here’s a closer look at how this project brought the magic of the event to life in a virtual world.
What is the Hiswa Te Water Event?
The Hiswa Te Water event is one of Europe’s largest in-water boat shows, showcasing a diverse range of watercraft, from luxury yachts to innovative sailboats. Visitors can walk along docks, explore the latest marine technology, and even test boats on the water. It’s a celebration of design, engineering, and the love of the sea.
Situated in Lelystad’s Bataviahaven, the event provides the perfect backdrop of calm waters and a bustling marina, attracting attendees from around the world.
The Digital Twin: Recreating Hiswa Te Water Virtually
To expand the event’s reach and showcase its beauty year-round, a digital twin was developed to bring the Bataviahaven and the entire Hiswa Te Water experience into a virtual space.
Tiyan was the company behind the initiative to create the virtual version of the event, and Daniel Farjoun from XYZ360 Interactive was the one responsible for recreating the bay area, 3d modeling all the tents, piers and many details.
1. Unreal Engine 5.3 as the Foundation
Using Unreal Engine 5.3, the project utilized advanced rendering technologies like Lumen for realistic lighting and Nanite for detailed 3D models. These features ensured that every element—from the docks to the intricate boat designs—was rendered with lifelike precision.
2. Blender for 3D Modeling
The entire bay and its surrounding structures were modeled in Blender, with real-life measurements. The goal was to capture as many details of Bataviahaven’s architecture and layout as possible. This meticulous modeling of the tents and small details ensured that the virtual environment felt as authentic as the real-life event.
3. Fluid Flux 3 for Water Simulation
One of the standout features of the digital twin is its stunning water simulation, achieved using the latest version of Fluid Flux 3. This tool allowed for:
- Hyper-realistic water movement with ripples and waves reacting naturally to environmental factors.
- Dynamic reflections that mirror the boats, structures, and sky, enhancing immersion.
- Seamless transitions between calm marina waters and the more dynamic movements of open water.
4. Ultra Dynamic Sky for Realistic Atmosphere
To complete the virtual world, the project incorporated Ultra Dynamic Sky for a breathtaking atmosphere. From soft morning light reflecting off the water to golden hour hues, the lighting captures the natural beauty of the Dutch marina.
Why Create a Digital Twin?
The Hiswa Te Water digital twin serves multiple purposes:
- Global Accessibility: Boating enthusiasts who can’t attend in person can now explore the event virtually.
- Year-Round Promotion: The digital twin keeps the spirit of the event alive, serving as a marketing tool and a virtual showcase for exhibitors.
- Sustainability: By creating a virtual version, the event reduces the need for printed materials and other physical resources.
- Interactive Experiences: Visitors can navigate through the marina, get to know exhibitors and their promotional materials and even do a virtual tour on specific boats, provided by the brands in a simulated environment.
Behind the Scenes: Challenges and Triumphs
Bringing the Hiswa Te Water event to life digitally wasn’t without its challenges.
The building on the background had their textures extracted from a 360 degrees virtual tour in the area. This image was then upscaled and refined both with AI and manually, and then prepared as textures for the buildings.
Accurately simulating the marina’s layout and ensuring realistic interactions between boats and water required precise modeling and programming. However, the combined power of Blender, Unreal Engine 5.3, and Fluid Flux 3 allowed the team to overcome these hurdles, resulting in a visually stunning and immersive experience.
About the Creator
This digital twin version was brought to life by the talented Daniel Farjoun from XYZ360 Interactive.
Share Your Thoughts
Have you seen the Hiswa Te Water digital twin cinematic video? What did you think of the visual results? Share your feedback in the comments below!
Don’t forget to check out the accompanying video showcasing the digital twin on YouTube.
