Project 2

This project uses VRTK 4 and implements interactable objects that you can grab and throw with the controllers. The project can be played on a laptop with or without a virtual reality headset, but, of course, the virtual reality feature can only be used with a virtual reality headset.

The base of this project was created by Professor Andrew Johnson who designed one cubicle as an example for us to follow. Our group designed one cubicle each to be how we envision our dream cubicle to be, focusing on a central theme. The open space at the front is also designed to fit the project requirements. Another feature of this project is the ability to resize the user so the user can view the office as if they were big or small.

For this project we used the starting code that was provided by Andy Johnson, VRTK git hub and we also took inspiration from group 6 for the idea of pillars for resizing.

In order to use this application, download the zip file below from Github. Be sure to have Unity 2019.2.0fl or newer in order to use this app. Below is a link to download Unity3D.

Unity3D - https://unity3d.com

After that make a clone of the project 2 repository, then remove the empty Assets/VRTK directory and reinstall it from Git according to the VRTK 4 instructions at https://github.com/ExtendRealityLtd/VRTK under 'Cloning the repo' and then start up the appropriate version of Unity from Unity Hub. From there you should have no error when trying to the project.

There are two ways of interacting with this program. One way is by using a HTC Vive Virtual Reality System. Remember to deselect simulated camera rig to select Unity camera Rig to used it on a Vive. Just put on the headset and have the two controllers in both hands. Press the "Play Button" on the top middle of the unity interface. Use the controllers Trackpad and press forward where in the green walkway is, this will teleport you to that location. Use the back Trigger on the controllers to interact or pick up certain objects within the game. You can move around and see just like you would in the real world. The one big difference is that the project has 3 color pillars with signs on them. By touching these pillars, you user can change size.

In the future, even right now, the technology used in this project will be, and already is, helpful in planning out a space or design ahead of time. Technology is only improving, so this kind of application of virtual reality will be even more helpful in the future with planning and designing. Putting things in virtual reality with a view scale of a 1:1 ratio, makes the idea much more realistic in the user’s view and allows people to make a better decision whether they plan on going through with their ideas and designs or not. They get to see it in front of themselves as if it they were viewing it with their own eyes in real life. It's easier to see faults, find areas of improvement, and make changes based on what they saw. Instead of making a physical effort of moving, carrying, lifting, and manufacturing objects and spending money on the actual materials the final product will consist of, virtual reality allows for a simpler way of viewing and experiencing what the final product or design will be like with much less physical effort. Yes, it does take time to design and piece things together to create a view or object in virtual reality, but it won’t take the cost or manpower of having people physically work on it. It takes a lot less resources to create a plan or design for a physical product or space in virtual reality than in real life. It is easier to redesign too in case the first idea doesn’t work out, which is usually the case. It’s hard to get things perfect on the first try and so the user will likely have to make some changes. Rather than deciding the real-life design was not good and having to throw out the work of having produced it in real life and start all over again, the user can simply replace, drag, resize, or change minor details of the design until they perfect it. The use of virtual reality in planning and designing is much more convenient and efficient and as the technology improves, so will the practicality of using VR.

There are situations in which the boundaries are blurred between fashion and technology, for example, the use of virtual reality as part of a live fashion show. In that scenario, a 3D image was projected into a real world setting, i.e. a catwalk as part of the show. The meeting of fashion and virtual reality can be seen in games which are designed for girls. These games combine fashion, music and technology in a way designed to appeal to the interests of teenage girls. This can be another use of the VR application that we made by just changing the cubicle into a ramp and having 3D models that wear different fancy clothes.

This can also be a way to view apartments without having to physically go there. They can used to this if the apartment has not yet been built. The 3D space allows the maker to do all this using unity and not have to hire a lot of high end employee to make it for them. This can also be apply to car such as seeing the inside and even test driving it to see if they like the car or not. Amazon to take this technology to make a viral store just like a mall people used to visit.

Therefore, we think our project is very useful in purposes like education, gaming and giving a real-time experience to the user and can turn out to be a great milestone in the field of science in the future.