Project 2

Introduction

This is my project 2 for CS 428: Virtual, Augmented and Mixed Reality at UIC Fall 2020.

The project consists of two scenes and is implemented in Unity 2019.4.1f1 and Vuforia 9 .

The first scene consist of the astronaut marker and drone marker that is tied to the playset and the other is life size recreation of my real desk which must be deployed to an phone.

Github

https://github.com/pwu20/428VRProject2

Download ZIP. Unzip folder. Add folder to Unity Hub.

To open playset scene. File->Open Scene->Scene->SampleScene.Unity

To open life-size scene. File->Open Scene->Scene->lifesize.unity

lifesize.unity must be deployed to an phone, so please have the build support of your choice installed. You can find direction to install here for Android or iOS

Once that is done.

File->Build Setting->Click on iOS or Android->Switch Platform->Refresh->Select your device->Build and Run

Assets Used

Download links for markers -http://www.evl.uic.edu/aej/428/20files/4%20mars%20markers.png

https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/3d/environments/snaps-prototype-office-137490 - used for computer monitor, chair, laptop, mug, lamp, pen holder, plant, desktop, keyboard model and invisible textures.

https://www.mixamo.com/ - Typing animation and Sitting Disbelief animation

https://freesound.org/people/imagery2/sounds/456906/ - typing sound

Youtube

Essay

I think the popularity of these playsets would largely depend on the creativity of the developers. Playsets like these already exist to a degree commercially. Some video game consoles like the 3DS came prepackaged with AR markers that would let you see Nintendo characters in AR and some even let you play games with them, but I felt they were a novelty at best. So I do think people would see them as novelties at least till developers find interesting ways for people to play with them. I think something like an alarm clock that can’t be turned off unless you put on your AR glasses would be interesting.

While I think those kinds of playset are interesting I don’t think they would hold an child’s attention. I feel like a child would prefer to play with something that is actually there as opposed to an AR playset. However, I do think that something like a real AR figure that can be configured to be any character the child wants would be something a child wants to play with. Especially, given things like realistic sounds and movement. I think children already imagine themselves as characters they play with so with the AR thing it would just add to their immersion.

There is something eerie about seeing an almost 1:1 recreation of your desk in AR, though the basic textures I employ do ruin the immersion a bit. It will be particularly useful when I want to reorganize my room. The smaller playset less immersive but it is kind of cool to be able to hold a playset of yourself doing something in the palm of your hand. Overall, I feel the project was a nice introduction to the more playful parts of AR.