Webinar Series Virtual Reality February 28 th, 2016 2:00 PM EST Hosted by Jeff Bertrand and Ginny Moore
Virtual Reality Webinar Agenda Ø Application and Benefits Ø 3 Types of Virtual Reality Ø Advantages and Disadvantages of Virtual Reality Ø Step-by-Step Process of Creating Efficient Virtual Reality
VR Application and Benefits Current Uses Benefits Manufacturing Healthcare Military Space Exploration Museums Education Courtrooms Meditation Shopping Entertainment Safe learning environment Convenient training option Less expensive for employers Consistent training Tangible demonstration of learning outcomes
What is VR? 3 Types of VR Desktop VR Immersive VR Augmented Reality (AR)
Desktop VR Key Characteristics ü No special equipment needed ü Not immersive ü Browser-based ü Allows for wide distribution
Immersive VR Key Characteristics ü Usually involves headsets and tracked controllers ü Fully immerse users in a scene ü Perform natural interactions
Augmented Reality Key Characteristics ü Overlay virtual information on a view of the real world ü Requires tablets, phones, or a headset
VR - Advantages and Disadvantages Advantages Disadvantages ü Interactivity ü Repeatable ü Immediate feedback ü Unique ü Accessible ü Difficult to develop ü Understanding of best practices ü Technical issues ü Hosting expense
Creating Efficient VR: Goal Goal: Render at least 30FPS
Creating Efficient VR: Initial Steps Initial Steps ü Collaborate with SMEs ü Task analysis ü Storyboard Task 1 Outcome 1 Task 2 Task 3 Outcome 2 Task 4
Creating Efficient VR: Project Management Project Management Description Project management includes techniques used to keep all 3D models, scripts, assets, etc. properly organized Tips for Efficiency Use source control Use cloud storage Preferred Tools Sourcetree/ Git Dropbox Alternatives Perforce Mercurial
Creating Efficient VR: 3D Modeling 3D Modeling Description Process of developing a mathematical representation of any three-dimensional surface of an object via specialized software Tips for Efficiency Retopology - synergy between artistically-driven sculpting and technically-minded poly-modeling Reduce polygon count while maintaining a high quality model Normal mapping Preferred Tool Blender (free) Alt to Blender MAYA 3DS MAX Solid Works
Creating Efficient VR: UV Mapping UV Mapping Description Projecting a 2D image to a 3D model's surface for texture mapping Tips for Efficiency Start with automatic UV layouts Find areas where a seam would naturally appear and mark it as a seam Preferred Tool Blender (free) Alt to Blender MAYA 3DS MAX Solid Works
Creating Efficient VR: Texturing Texturing Description Texturing is the process of applying an image to a 3D model Tips for Efficiency Procedurally generated materials and textures created using Allegorithmic Substances drastically speed up the texturing process Preferred Tools Blender (free) Photoshop Alt to Photoshop GIMP Substances
Creating Efficient VR: Animation Animation Description The process of bringing to life any that require movement: Objects, armatures (skeletons), meshes, particles, UI elements, etc. Tips for Efficiency Unity s Mecanim system makes bone-based animations easier to use Mecanim can also be used as a visual state machine Preferred Tools Blender (free) Unity Other Tool Options MAYA 3DS MAX
Creating Efficient VR: Import and Prefab Set-up Import & Set Up Prefabs Description Prefabs are containers for 3D models, scripts, animations, etc. Virtual scenes consist of a collection of prefabs Tips for Efficiency Create editor scripts that minimize repeated work (e.g. add a button for creating colliders) Preferred Tool Unity Game Engine Other Tool Options Unreal
Creating Efficient VR: Design Scenarios Design Scenarios Description Designing scenarios ties all the pieces together (e.g. 3D models, prefabs, simulation logic, etc.) Iterative testing is very important at this stage Tips for Efficiency Meet weekly with SMEs to ensure everything is on track Start with simple prototypes and build from there Preferred Tool Unity Game Engine Other Tool Options Unreal
Creating Efficient VR: Audio Engineering Audio Engineering Description Audio can add a lot of value to a simulation Voice overs Audio cues need to be triggered by scripts at the correct time Tips for Efficiency Start with royalty-free sounds and edit as necessary Preferred Tool Audacity Alt. to Audacity Audition
Creating Efficient VR: Construct UI Elements Construct UI Elements Description User Interface (UI) elements include text, pop-ups, icons, graphical user elements, etc. Tips for Efficiency Ties in closely with system architecture Align with SME feedback and Learning Outcomes Graphic designers can provide insight Preferred Tools Unity Game Engine Photoshop Other Tool Options Unreal
Creating Efficient VR: Programming Programming Description User interaction, user interface,state machines, etc. Tips for Efficiency Never duplicate code Create a reusable architecture Preferred Tool Microsoft Visual Studio Alternative MonoDevelop
Creating Efficient VR: Quality Assurance Quality Assurance Description Iterative process of review, feedback, and improvement Development Tips for Efficiency Test simulations on many different machines and operating systems Feedback Review Preferred Tools Word/ Excel Jira/ Basecamp
Hosting Internal Servers Advantage ü No Hosting Expense Disadvantages ü Requires maintenance & staffing ü More server downtime Amazon Cloud Advantages ü Increased scalability / security ü Faster downloads ü Less server downtime ü Less maintainance Disadvantage ü Hosting expense
Hosting Tips 1. Implement Single Sign On 1. Utilize WebGL Advantage ü No plugin needed Disadvantage ü Still some bugs
Resources To access this PowerPoint and a recording of this webinar, please visit the following webpage to join our webinar repository: http://onlineplus.clemson.edu/browse/cucwd/courses/ca2ves Other Resources: https://unity3d.com/learn https://www.blender.org/support/tutorials/ https://cgcookie.com/ http://www.blenderguru.com/ http://freesound.org/
Webinar Series Virtual Reality Thanks for Joining us! Jeff Bertrand jbertra@g.clemson.edu Ginny Moore vehall@clemson.edu