Augmented Reality Test Using Interstellar Express Assist

As I first mentioned in July, the day job has us doing some testing and experimentation in augmented reality (AR). As we moved forward with the work, I utilized some of the work that I did on Interstellar Express to make several animated shadow boxes that you could interact with and explore. This is a direct extension of the work I shared with you in July. Mainly, it was a test to see if I could make looping gifs and then import them into Aero, make them clickable, and create something animated and interactive. After trying out some options and proof of concept tests, I generated the following video.

Augmented Reality Test Using Interstellar Express Assist

Initially, as a proof of concept test, I did a flat version, which you can still see in this video. I always intended these to be shadow boxes, but to ensure all the pieces worked and I wasn't wasting time, I made a flat version first.

We continued, and in cases continue, to do stuff with AR at the day job. I have one additional test from earlier in the year to share with you soon. The team has moved on to doing some work in 3D, and some back brought that work back into AR. I have been focused on other work lately, but in time I hope to share some work in that direction as well.

That's all for another exciting week on the blog. Next week will be weird, so I am not sure if there will be any posts, but you never know. Until then...

For more samples of my work or to contact me regarding my availability, head over to my website: www.christopherburdett.com

Interstellar Express Part 8 - Hotshot

Today, I am concluding my posts focused on my work from Interstellar Express, the educational game I art directed and made many assists. This week I am sharing some of the art I created for the stripped-down version of the project. Let's get back to the Interstellar Express Hotshot!

There were concerns that all the aliens, planets, environments, and neat stuff were too much and would distract from the project's purpose. To that end, we made a second version that was extremely limited and focused nearly entirely on the assessments. This called for a new intro screen, UI, and visual elements. Out are the train, planets, environments, interactions, and story. The larger complete version is still happening, but the Hotshot became a priority before 2020. I present you with selected art from Interstellar Express Hotshot.

The new launch screen features a selection of aliens and the Hotshot text I made.

I created a background, UI, and related elements to bring this slimmed-down version to life.

Upon completion, you get an interactive photo booth where you can select backgrounds and aliens to create a photo of some happy aliens.

And that brings us to the end of my work on the Interstellar Express project. It is always a possibility that there will be a need for additional assets in the future, but it has been nearly two years since I created any significant art for this project. Hopefully, it will launch in the not too distant future. When I hear anything about this happening, I will be sure to share it.

That's all for another exciting week on the blog. See you back here on Monday! Until then...   

For more samples of my work or to contact me regarding my availability, head over to my website: www.christopherburdett.com

Interstellar Express Part 7 - Environment Tiles

Today, I am continuing my posts focused on my work from Interstellar Express, the educational game I art directed and made many assists. This week I am sharing the art for the environment tiles I created. Let's get back to the Interstellar Express! 

Interstellar Express space screen

Final art by Lee Bretschneider

One of the features that I was most looking forward to making for the game is the environmental tiles. That said, I am still unsure if any of this work will be in the finished game. These tiles are to be used as part of a mini-game reward at different points in the game or at the end for a final treat. The tiles are meant to be flexible enough to be arranged in any order to create new and unique environments. Aliens will be placed around the scene, and the user will need to find them all. Each environment includes a tile that has no obstacles, one that has short obstacles, one that has tall obstacles, and one that is the space train station. I have arranged the four tiles and then a sample arrangement of a scene. I present you with the art for the environment tiles of Interstellar Express.

The generic alien world with its rolling hills and rocky brush.

The bug world with its mega flora.

The bird world with its towering trees and fields of clouds.

The elemental world with its steam geysers and icy outcroppings.

The lava world would not be complete without lava.

The lost desert world has a few cactuses.

The ocean world with its giant sponges and aquatic plants.

The robot world is a maze of long abandoned machinery.

The shapes world had mostly 90-degree angels and not much depth.

The space dinosaur world has plenty of ancient plants to enjoy while you search for the train stop.

Lastly, the train depot world has a lovely fountain and will likely never be used.

That's all for another exciting week on the blog. See you back here on Monday! Until then...  

For more samples of my work or to contact me regarding my availability, head over to my website: www.christopherburdett.com

Interstellar Express Part 6 - Environment Finals

Today, I am continuing my posts focused on my work from Interstellar Express, the educational game I art directed and made many assists. This week I am sharing the final art for the environments I created. Let's get back to the Interstellar Express! 

Interstellar Express space screen

Final art by Lee Bretschneider

The environment art was some of the most complex elements I created for the game. Each planet has a layered environment that will allow parallax scrolling. There is a background, which is stationary, and a looping middle ground and background. In addition to these three layers, the attraction element will be featured when you reach your final destination. These were a lot of fun and very different from what I usually create, so it was a great opportunity to flex some underused art muscles. I enjoyed making each layer separately and working with all three to push and pull the layers to create depth and visual separation. I plan to share some of the environments in motion, but that is for another post for another project. I present you with the final environment art of Interstellar Express.

 

The generic alien world with and without the attraction.

The bug world with and without the attraction.

 

The bird world with and without the attraction.

As a side note for this one, it was one of the first I finished, and when I had completed them all, I went back and completely reworked it. I had initially made it with white clouds and a blue sky. Once compared to the other, it fell a little flat and was visually similar to the elemental world. Shifting it to more of a sunset color palette made it much more visually exciting and unique when compared to the other planets.

 

The elemental world with and without the attraction.

 

The lava world with and without the attraction.

 

The lost desert world with and without the attraction.

 

The ocean world with and without the attraction.

 

The robot world with and without the attraction.

 

The shapes world with and without the attraction.

 

The space dinosaur world with and without the attraction.

Space dinosaurs are both advance and retro.

 

The train station world. Ultimately, I am unsure how much this will be used or seen in the game. The middle ground was never meant to fully loop.

The train car interior. This section should get a lot of use as it is the background whenever the aliens and universal translator interact with the user. The background outside the windows will be a space field created for a separate game element and will be reused here.

That's all for another exciting week on the blog. See you back here on Monday! Until then... 

For more samples of my work or to contact me regarding my availability, head over to my website: www.christopherburdett.com

Interstellar Express Part 5 - Planet Finals

Today, I am continuing my posts focused on my work from Interstellar Express, the educational game I art directed and made many assists. This week I am sharing the final art for the planets I created. Let's get back to the Interstellar Express!

Interstellar Express space screen

Final art by Lee Bretschneider

From the beginning of the project, I wanted the planets to have character and not be simple spheres. I wanted them to be instantly recognizable and unique while being visually interesting and fun. That meant breaking the sphere and creating things unlike any planet we have observed. I am happy with how they turned out, and they were a lot of fun to bring to life. I present you with the final planet art of Interstellar Express.

The lava planet was where I first thought about breaking the sphere and making a more exciting shape that played up the theme of that world.

The bird world that has no birds has some sphere to it but then highlights the visual elements that you will encounter once you are in the environment. 

The (robot-less) robot world isn't even a planet, but more of a constructed from in space - head-like in its appearance.

The lost desert world is straightforward.

The bug world was a fun one with giant mushrooms towering into space.

The world of elements embodies vapor, water, and ice.

The ocean world was a fun one and plays into the concept of these planets having a top and bottom. 

One of my favorites is, of course, the shape world. I was pleased with the look and finish of it.

Generic alien planet for all your generic alien needs.

Lastly, the dinosaur planet that wasn't destroyed by an asteroid.

That's all for another exciting week on the blog. See you back here on Monday! Until then...

For more samples of my work or to contact me regarding my availability, head over to my website: www.christopherburdett.com