Augmented Reality Test of the Monsters From The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia

As mentioned in July and September, the day job had us doing some testing and experimentation in augmented reality (AR). While we have moved on to doing tests in Blender doing 3D modeling and animation (more on this soon), we will likely swing back to more AR work soon. What I am sharing with you today was the final major test with the AR software. I isolated a selection of monsters from The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia and presented them at their 'real' size. This will allow the viewer to walk among the various monsters to experience them at their intended size in a 3D space. I added a small sign at the monster's feet with its name and size in standard Grand Bazaar cubits (feet). While I did several tests, this video was the final and most successful demonstration of the experience. 

Augmented Reality Test of the Monsters From The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia

There was an issue with the first several tests of this concept. While the monsters were placed on the ground plane in the software, they would be levitating above the ground when the experience was initiated. Eventually, I determined how much before the ground plane they needed to be set in the software for them to appear standing on the ground.

As mentioned above, this is the final AR experiment I have to share with you at this time. In a few weeks, once IX is behind me, and several other things are checked off the list, I will share with you the animation test I have been working on. 

That is all for another exciting Wednesday on the blog. See you back here possibly on Friday, if not after IX! Until then...

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

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

Augmented Reality Test in The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia

Earlier this year, the art team at the day job has been experimenting with Adobe Aero to generate augmented reality (AR) content to see what was possible. Six years ago, we did many virtual reality (VR) tests and experiments at work. While we have not done much with VR since then, we are exploring the opportunities that AR can provide. We are exploring several different things currently, but these are results I can share. 

We were asked to explore what the software could do with the resources we had at hand. The point was to push and pull at the application's limitations while not spending much time creating assets. I, of course, immediately reached for the images from the first book in the Grand Bazaar series that I cut apart for the launch video of the Kickstarter campaign. I wanted to see how the art would look set up as a shadowbox so that you could look into the work. The sound triggered by interaction was another aspect I looked into, and you can see that in the first video about halfway through. The music is triggered by me tapping the map image on my phone while recording. Here are two of the later tests with the art shadow boxes.

 

Augmented Reality Test in The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia

This was actually several tests into my work with Aero. It took a little work to get a feel for the software and to import things correctly, edit them as I wanted, and get them to be the size and location I wanted. After several tests, it became clear to me that I needed to finish off the art with sides to enclose them. Once I did this, the art became more of a finished object, and the sides limit you from seeing beyond the art once you look into them. The shadow box feel of the art pieces pleases me, and I think it was a reasonably successful conclusion. Something to remember for future trips to the Grand Bazaar. 

 

Augmented Reality (Second) Test in The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia

Again, this is well into me working with these assets. I wanted to try a vertical arrangement of my phone so that I would fill the screen better with the art and explore the art better. It is similar to the other video but lingers more on the first few pieces.

In the coming weeks, I will share some other experiments I did with Aero and AR. I have some additional pieces from the Grand Bazaar and some from beyond.

That is all for another exciting Wednesday on the blog. See you back here on Friday! Until then...

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