Project 3 - School's Out

Introduction

This project is to help give some familiarity with programming VR. It was meant to be used with a VR headset, allowing users to compare how movement and interaction in physical space compares to movement and interaction in a virtual space. Since we were unable to do so in the classroom, this project was done in Unity using a VR simulator.

For this project I created my "dream" classroom space. Typically the EVL lab just has the usual table and seats, but I decided to create a place similar to an arcade by adding arcade machines, billiards, ping pong, air hockey, and a place for people to eat. Smaller items located on these assets can be interacted with. When the user touches the items, they can grab it and place it down in another location. One of the arcade machines can be interacted with as well. The Hot Lava machine can be touched and the screen will turn on.

Above: Ping pong table located in the center of the room.Below: Billiards (Pool) Table located next to one of the animated avatars.

Above: Three additional light sources included in the project. Final light switch (white) turns on regular lights. Top light switch is touched, which is highlighted yellow.

I also included gumball machines and two vending machines. The snack vending machine can be used by touching it, which dispenses chips.

Multiple lights were added to the scene as well. On the wall close to the avatar sitting, there are two white light switches. These control the light coming from the lamp at the desk. Three other lights can be accessed on the same wall, but close to the arcade machines. These change the lights to either blue, pink, or green. The final white light turns all of them off, but turns the normal lights back on.

Below: Air hockey table and arcade machines located on the left of room when user spawns.

There are also five animated avatars throughout the room, all spaced out to follow social distancing. There of the avatars feature students from the class, including myself. My avatar is located at a desk in the back with multiple items surrounding me. All of these items can be picked up and moved. If the user moves close to an avatar and touches them, their animation changes and an audio voice line plays.

Above: Avatar of myself at a desk with items I would bring to class along with what I'd want. Items can be picked up.

Github

The link to the git page can be accessed here. Click on the button "code" and download as a zip. You will need Unity 2019.4.1f1, VRTK 3, and Blender 2.83 installed on your machine to run the project properly. The VRTK should already be included with the project.

Below are the links to all things need to run the project:

Unity: https://unity.com/
VRTK: https://github.com/ExtendRealityLtd/VRTK/tree/3.3.0
Blender: https://www.blender.org/

Once downloaded, open the project in Unity. Locate the "virtualuic-evl" folder in the Assets folder. From there, click on the "Scenes" folder and open up "EVL". This brings up the virtual EVL classroom. Once it is open, you can run the project by clicking the "play" button at the top. On the upper left hand corner, the controls for the virtual reality simulator are displayed. You can move around and touch/grab items throughout the room. To make it easier, all items that can be touched or grabbed are highlighted yellow when your hand touches them. The avatars can be interacted with as well. To do so, move close to one and either run into them or touch them with the controllers.

Above: Overview of entire EVL "dream" classroom.

Video

Sources

Assets:

Speaker: https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/3d/props/electronics/speakers-pbr-111606
Cola Can: https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/3d/cola-can-96659
Water bottle & backpack: https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/3d/props/tools/bush-craft-extension-pack-84435
Phone: https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/3d/props/electronics/free-smartphone-90324
Pizza: https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/3d/props/food/pbr-pizza-108425
Countertop and Stools: https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/3d/props/furniture/medieval-tavern-pack-112546
Arcade Machines (Pack 1): https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/3d/props/arcade-machines-pack-01-lowpoly-pack-73020
Arcade Machines (Pack 2): https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/3d/props/arcade-machines-pack-02-lowpoly-pack-79442
Billiards, Air Hockey, & Ping Pong: https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/3d/props/free-barcade-asset-pack-123704
Gumball Machine: https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/3d/spiral-gumball-machine-87317
Food: https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/3d/props/food/free-casual-food-pack-mobile-vr-85884
Snack Machines: https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/3d/props/interior/snack-machines-3517
Laptop & Office Supplies: https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/3d/environments/snaps-prototype-office-137490

Avatars:

Dylan: Dylan Ou
Krystian: Krystian Stanuch
Others: MakeHuman & Mixamo

Audio:

Laptop typing: Project 3 Example
Dylan's Voice: Dylan Ou
Krystian's Voice: Krystian Stanuch
Boy's Voice: Xavier Mendoza

Essay

The purpose of this project was to show us how people are able to interact with people in a purely synthetic world. This was done using virtual reality technology (VRTK) in Unity. Although it is not the exact same thing as being able to wear a virtual reality headset, it gave the general idea of the dream environment of the EVL room each student thought of. Initially we were given a project that had the EVL room in its usual state with just desks and chairs. I have actually been able to see the classroom in person, and this was a very similar version in VR. Although I did not wear a VR headset when testing this, it was still nice being able to have a similar feeling of being in the classroom through this technology.

For this project we were also supposed to come up with a theme for the classroom. I made mine into something that resembled an arcade with multiple types of games and a place to eat. Students from the class, including myself, were added to this environment along with two other avatars I created. The user is able to interact with the environment and the avatars as well. When testing this myself, it was interesting to see all of the assets in the room. None of these items would ever actually be in a classroom, but having the opportunity to create the environment I envisioned without actually changing the room in real life made me want to actually see it within a VR headset.

Although this project only had interaction with avatars that had set animations and audio, it would be a different experience if this virtual environment allowed multiple users to interact. It would make the interactions more meaningful if there were other real people on the other end. This concept would be very helpful in today’s society with social distancing. It allows users to be at a safe distance and still interact with each other in environments that they are used to such as a classroom. Or if they wanted, they could create their dream classroom like we did for this project and have others view it with them in this synthetic environment. It also allows the user to either use the technology while in place or moving around depending on the amount of space that they have access to. When testing this project myself, it was more of a simulation than the full virtual reality experience. The simulation incorporates VRTK, allowing the user to teleport. This would be similar to using the headset while in place. It allows users that have limited space to still use the VR headset, but does not utilize the technology’s full capabilities. I think the best way to use this would be in a room with enough space to move around just so the user can get the complete experience of being in a certain environment without actually being there. That way the user can truly feel like they are immersed in the environment despite it only being a synthetic world.

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