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Project 3

Virtual Reality

Introduction

This project is about further exploring Virtual Reality. The purpose of this project is to explore a virtual reality experience in the new computer science building and how it might look like. In this project you will see an example of a Harry Potter themed exploration showing animated and interactable models and sounds of various sizes and volumes.

This project was developed with the Unity Engine using a virtual reality library called VRTK. VRTK allows the application to be cross-platform and provides tools to help develop virtual reality applications. For this project you will need to have a Quest 1 or newer virtual reality headset. By running the application on the virtual reality headset you will be able to see, hear and interact with objects in the scene. 

Build From Source

- Links -

Source code: GitHub

VRTK SDK: Link

Unity Hub: Link

Unity Editor: Link

- Versions Used During Development -

VRTK SDK: 4.0.0

Unity Hub: 3.3.0

Unity Editor: 2021.3.6f1

- Recommended Versions -

VRTK SDK: 4.0.0

Unity Hub: 3.3.0 or Later

Unity Editor: 2021.3.6f1 or Later

1. Install Unity

a. Install Unity Hub from the link above

b. Use the Unity Editor link above to navigate to a valid editor version and select download with Unity Hub

c. When the modules screen shows up select Android

d. Wait until the install process is complete!

2. Configure Directory

a. Download code from link above

b. Put folder in desired directory

c. Extract folder if zipped

3. Open Project

a. Open Unity Hub and add root project directory 

4. Configure Project

a. Within the Unity Editor double click /Scenes/HarryPotterBuildingScene to open the correct scene

b. Running in Unity:

     i. Make sure that CameraRigs.SpacialSimulator GameObject is active and CameraRigs.UnityXRPluginFramework is inactive

             ii. Press Play!

 c. Running in virtual reality headset:

            i. Make sure that CameraRigs.SpacialSimulator GameObject is inactive and CameraRigs.UnityXRPluginFramework is active

               ii. Make sure headset is connected to computer

               iii. Go to File > Build Settings

               iv. Switch to Android Build Platform

               v. Change run device setting to connected device

               vi. Build and Run!

Open Source Assets

 1.Broomstick

Web Asset, Grabbable, Source of Sound When Collided With

Source: Link

BroomStick.jpg

2. Chocolate

Web Asset, Grabbable

Source: Link

Chocolate.jpg

3. Couch

Web Asset

Source: Link

Couch.jpg

4. Gryffindor Statue with Animated Candle

Web Asset, Animated, Lighting Change

Source: Link

Candle Source: Link

DarkStatue1.jpg

5. Slytherin Statue

Web Asset, Animated, Lighting Change

Source: Link

Candle Source: Link

DarkStatue2.jpg

6. Dumbledore Picture

Flat Model, Source of Sound When Collided With

Source: Link

Dumbledore.jpg

7. Hay

Flat Model

Source: Link

Hay.jpg

8. Broom Closet

Web Asset

Source: Link

Closet.JPG

9. House Images

Web Asset, Flat Model

Source: Link

Houses.jpg

10. Ravenclaw Statue

Web Asset, Animated, Lighting Change

Source: Link

Candle Source: Link

LightStatue1.jpg

11. Hufflepuff Statue

Web Asset, Animated, Lighting Change

Source: Link

Candle Source: Link

LightStatue2.jpg

12. Mailbox

Web Asset, Spawns Interactable Items

Source: Link

Mailbox.jpg

13. Mirror

Web Asset

Source: Link

Mirror.jpg

14. Myrtle Image

Web Asset, Flat Model

Source: Link

Myrtle.jpg

15. Horcrux

Web Asset, Grabbable, Light Source

Source: Link

Necklace.jpg

16. Owl

Web Asset

Source: Link

Owl.jpg

17. Phoenix

Web Asset, Particle Effects, Light Source, Animated, Moving though Building

Source: Link

Phoenix.jpg

18. Rug

Web Asset, Flat Model

Source: Link

Rug.jpg

19. Sink

Web Asset

Source: Link

Sink.jpg

20. Floor

Flat Model

Source: Link

SinkFloor.jpg

21. Sorting Hat

Web Asset, Grabbable, Source of Sound When Collided With

Source: Link

SortingHat.jpg

22. Sorting Hat Chair

Web Asset, Grabbable

Source: Link

SortingHat.jpg

23. Sorting Area Wall

Web Asset, Flat Model

Source: Link

SortingWalls_Floors.jpg

24. Lounge Walls

Web Asset, Flat Model

Source: Link

StoneWalls.jpg

25. Lounge Seating Area

Web Assets

Source: Link

Tables_Chairs.jpg

26. Magical Table

Web Asset, Grabbable

Source: Link

TableWithItems.jpg

27. Damaged Diary

Web Asset, Grabbable, Source of Sound Changes Based on Distance

Source: Link

TomRiddleBook.jpg

28. Stairs

Web Asset

Source: Link

LightStatue1.jpg

29. Rope Pully

Web Asset, Spawner, Source of Sound

Source: Link

WandGenerator.jpg

30. Wand Dispenser

Web Asset

Source: Link

WandGenerator.jpg

31. Elder Wand

Web Asset

Source: Link

Wands.jpg

32. Scary Music

Web Asset, Ambient Sound Based on Distance

Source: Link

Scary.png

32. Parselmouth

Web Asset, Ambient Sound Based on Distance

Source: Link

Parselmouth.png

32. Broomstick Sound

Web Asset, Ambient Sound Based on Distance

Source: Link

Broomstick.png

33. Fools Sound

Web Asset, Ambient Sound Based on Distance

Source: Link

Fools.png

34. Cheering Sound

Web Asset, Ambient Sound Based on Distance

Source: Link

Cheering.png

35. Sorting Hat Song

Web Asset, Ambient Sound Based on Distance

Source: Link

HatSong.png

36. Sorting Selection

Web Asset, Ambient Sound Based on Distance

Source: Link

HatSelection.png

37. Wizarding Music

Web Asset, Ambient Sound Based on Distance

Source: Link

WizardingMusic.png

Custom Assets

1. Color Wheel

Created Asset, Grabbable

ColorWheel.jpg

2. Dragon Tooth

Created Asset, Grabbable

DragonTooth.jpg

3. Dueling Floor

Created Asset

DuelingFloor.jpg

4. Mail Envelope

Created Asset, Grabbable

Envelope.jpg

5. Railing

Created Asset

Rails.jpg

6. Fireplace

Created Asset, Particle Effects

Fireplace.jpg

7. House Points

Created Asset, Multiple Changing Light Sources

HousePoints.jpg

8. Birdhouse

Created Asset

Birdhouse.jpg

9. Undamaged Diary

Created Asset, Grabbable

TomRiddleBook2.jpg

10. Table

Created Asset, Grabbable

Tables_Chairs.jpg

Makehuman Models

1. Sneaking Wizard

Makehuman, Animated, Source of Sound Changes Based on Distance

SneakyWizard.jpg

2. Flying Wizard

Makehuman, Animated, Source of Sound Changes Based on Distance

FlyingWizard.jpg

Performance

SortingArea.JPG
StatueArea.JPG

The frame rate becomes stable once most of the assets have loaded into the scene. When starting off, the framerate stays around 35 fps. This is because you can get a top down view of the whole building resulting in more assets in view. As you move your way down the floors to the lower floor of the building, the frame rate jumps to 45 fps. The areas with the best performance are the statue display area as well as the dueling area. Overall, the frame rate maintains near 45 fps on the lower levels and lowers to 35 on the upper floors.

How Would you use this Kind of Technology to Introduce Someone to a New Building Before it was Finished?

Response 1

Employees want to get access to newest technologies and relevant knowledge. Companies want to establish programs targeting organized, effective knowledge and expertise sharing among employees and teams. In some cases, specially designed and equipped business spaces might also assist in the way — for example the makerspace, exposing technology, equipment and devices to assist rapid prototyping and experimentation. Shift to the 'innovation society' is tough and costly. It heavily depends both on the scheme of the firm. The value structure in relation to research, cooperation, expertise and knowledge sharing. This organization wants to begin — as a single entity, both employees and organization — the manner of constant looking for opportunities for better products and services that have value to users, employees, the company, the market, the society.  This is where VR can be used to create a new paradigm in the field of design in which the user's experience is not only limited by technology but also by its own capabilities.

 

The idea of VR is to provide an alternative way for people to interact with their environment, and to make it more efficient and effective. Employees want to get access to newest technologies and relevant knowledge. Companies want to establish programs targeting organized, effective knowledge and expertise sharing among employees and teams. In some cases, specially designed and equipped business spaces might also assist in the way — for example the makerspace, exposing technology, equipment and devices to assist rapid prototyping and experimentation.  This is where VR can be used to create new experiences and applications. VR can help companies to develop innovative products and services that are more efficient and cost-effective to consumers, and more accessible to the general public. Changing consumer experience with interactive commerce has helped brands measure outcomes  and have convinced numerous brands at apportioning advertising dollars to sponsorships and experiences.  In this context, it is important to understand the role of VR in marketing and advertising. Current technologies are redefining how this business industry operates. Traditional work flows at this business or work-site are being replaced by new people. Pen and paper innovation has made choice for business data Modelling software. Such technologies also provide for the reinvention of buildings and structure, also as the improved observation of structure. Custom content products printed or designed with the company's logo, can help people think about the job asides from being recognized by prospective or future clients. By using this content product selling, you can promote the company , too as give it to more prospective customers at an incredibly low prices helped change user involvement by triggering all senses. F& B results have earned a lot from VR experiences. Making shareable knowledge and augmenting the personal reality has been the point of AR in experiential marketing. Keeping visual content in the center of it all, brands have understood the value of AR&VR to learn and motivate clients. That drives curiosity and purchase decision.  In order to achieve this goal, we need to understand the nature of vr's role in marketing.

Response 2

VR is very unique in how things can be created. This was probably new to most as you could interact with items in the world and get a preview of how the finish product might look like. Stepping out of the UIC world and looking at how this idea can be introduced to others is quite interesting as there can be many approaches. One approach is designing the building and allocating a big space where the user could walk around physically. The hurdle for VR is movement and not being disoriented. To demo a project to someone like a business person, I would designate certain rooms or areas where it would be the highlight of the building and let them walk around to get a feel for it. Once they are done with that room, they can teleport to another area that is roughly the same walking space and have them explore it as well. The idea is to limit them from teleporting so that they would not be overwhelmed and be able to “naturally” walk around to explore what they are going to experience in real life. Another approach to introduce someone to a finished building in VR is simply have them teleport around to each part of the building and be able to observe only. This approach would minimize interaction with the building like chairs, walls, doors etc. rather it would let them soak into the visuals that are surrounding them in the building. This would require more teleporting but the advantage is that the user would be able to explore essentially anything in that building and have a good experience overall. If they wanted to explore the outside perimeter like a parking lot or see how it would look from a distance they would be able to do that with this approach. The last approach would be creating a story to go with showing off the building. In this approach it would require the user to do certain tasks that highlight certain features of the building. For example, if the building had an elevator then the task would be to call the elevator and the user would push the button and the elevator would appear. Another example would be maybe to raise the blinds in the office by clicking a button. An animation would then show the blinds raising by itself highlighting that feature for the building. Doing these tasks would then give the user a better experience as well as getting them excited for the building to be ready! It would be more engaging and fun for the user and be able to see the value of showing it in VR whenever they would like. Each of these approaches are focused on the experience for the user so that they could then be intrigued about VR and hopefully see the value through their experiences. There are many other approaches but they all will be uniquely creative which will hook and introduce others to the VR world!

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