After compiling a lot of research I found that people had already created Virtual Spaces to the accurate dimensions of theatre spaces and sets to allow teams to accurately visualise the spaces they would be visiting remotely, or to test out designs without using the traditional white card models which can be wasteful. However no one had created an interactive application that could be used for adaptable design, so I focussed my research on developing and testing for this use.

I initially created a 3D model of Portland Works Makerspace in AutoCAD. This model could then be uploaded to the Gaming design software Unity which I would use to add the colours, textures, and interactive elements. After the basic model was complete I started working on coding the interactive elements. I decided that Set pieces that could be picked up and moved and Lighting that could be manipulated in the same fashion as traditional theatre lighting would be the most useful initial tools.

I successfully managed to develop a space within which you could pick up, throw, stack and rotate objects within the confines of the walls to easily and accurately visualise set designs. This was done with a combination of self created objects and some pre made and open source available online.

The most complex part of the development was creating lights that felt accurate to the way different theatre lamps produce light. I had to create advanced code that adapted the intensity of the lights dependent on the local position of the lighting desk sliders. I finally created lights that would brighten and dim upon virtually gabbing and sliding levers.

Both the set and lighting design tools allowed full scale, accurate viewing of design elements that you could also move fluidly throughout to see how the audience would view it from every different perspective.