Project 2

Intro

This project reflects a more playful and personal use of augmented reality by simulating a playset containing an action figure of me along with objects I find myself with often. The playset is scaled in two ways: a tabletop scale so that it can be easily placed on a table and a life-size scale so that it can be placed in the middle of the room and take up a lot of space. You can either play with the tabletop version and move the 3D model of myself and objects in a recording studio or place a bigger version of all those objects and move yourself around them.

Github Link and Instructions for Downloading

Github Link: https://github.com/dylan-ou/CS-428-Project-2

Programs Needed:

• Unity 2019.4.1f1

• Vuforia 9.4.6

Vuforia Widgets Needed (Displayed Below):

• Astronaut

• Drone

• Ground Plane Emulator (for if your device is not listed in the list linked here)

  • https://library.vuforia.com/content/vuforia-library/en/platform-support/vuforia-engine-recommended-devices.html

Steps to Download:

1. Print out every widget that is needed (Ground Plane Emulator is a PDF displayed below)

2. Make sure you have Unity 2019.4.1f1 installed on your computer

3. Go to the Github Link and press the green button. If you have git installed, you can clone the repository. If not, you can just download the ZIP file and unzip it.

4. Go to Unity Hub and locate the project folder. Open it and it should show up in the Unity Hub. Click it and it should open the project.

5. There are two scenes located in the scene folder; the one labelled "Widgets" is the tabletop sized playset and the one labelled "GroundPlane" is the life-size playset.

Pictures

Assets Used

Asset Store

• HQ Laptop Computer by Next Level 3D

• HQ Acoustic system by Next Level 3D

• Snaps Prototype | Office by Asset Store Originals

• Guitar and Ampy by Sakari Games

• Piano by Miroslav Uhlir

Discussion

I think that augmented reality has the potential to be an interactive medium. This has already been done with video games integrating AR technologies, but I feel it can be taken even further. This project specifically has highlighted that potential use for virtual toys and playsets. With augmented reality glasses, kids would be able to interact with toys that would look like them or whoever they want. I say this because I think the virtualization concept on a toy introduces an aspect of customization and therefore creativity. I liken the aspects of customization and creativity to LEGOs sets when I was younger. Sure, you can buy the specific sets and build those. You could also take those sets apart and make your own creations. I think that can be applied to these virtual playsets as well.

One example I can think of to implement this idea is if a kid wanted to be an astronaut exploring an alien planet. They can use the AR glasses to see their virtual model. They can then put their 3D model in an astronaut suit. After that, they can load in a virtual environment for their 3D model to explore, maybe adding a little alien hiding behind a rock or the astronaut’s spaceship in the distance. All of these hypothetical situations for play concepts could happen easily in a virtual world. Kids could find their 3D models in a land full of dinosaurs, a fantasy castle, a mysterious jungle, or other places they would want to imagine themselves in. By being able to control these specific aspects of their play, kids would be able to express their creativity and wonder.

I am not sure how kids would be able to move the models though. Whether it is with markers or using a ground plane to present these objects, I think what is needed the most is individual control. This was apparent when I was seeing my tabletop-sized playset for the first time. I would have liked to have individual control of my 3D model similar to holding an action figure or a doll. Instead, lifting the marker carried every object in it. I still think the tabletop playset is better for play than the life-size version though. This was more apparent when I was testing the life sized playset for the first time. I barely have enough room to contain this bigger playset and I do not have the right tools for it. Regardless, I think having these 3D models is better for display purposes rather than for kids to play with. There is a reason why action figures and dolls are never huge. It would be too cumbersome to play with gigantic toys. I think this would hold true for AR playsets as well. Unless a kid was outside playing with these, it would not be a fun time indoors. Huge 3D models could make them bump into things they cannot see. Having the AR playset tabletop sized would be perfect as it doesn’t take up a lot of space. Regardless, I think that AR has the capabilities of evolving the concept of play for children of any age.