LA 590 2009
From CollabLandWiki
Description
Immersive Environments seminar in Landscape Architecture at North Dakota State University
Blog
Check out the collaborativelandscape blog
Calendar
Immersive project schedules
- Monday November 30 2009
- Christina Forrest, Kylie Satterman, Ashley Hudson & Adam Jones, Meg Rude, Ashley Mellgren
- Monday December 7 2009
- Jean Beaupre, Stephanie Falkers, and Laura Zimmerman
Tools
- Windows Live Moviemaker
- Free movie making software
- Audacity
- Free and open source audio creation and editing
Presentations/Information
Academic poster info & guidelines
The final submission of the academic poster for the LA 590 seminar is due Wednesday December 16 at 4:30pm. We will not review the posters at this time as I will not be in Fargo. You will need to submit the following:
- 24" x 36" poster, minimum 150 dpi, original Photoshop or InDesign file (if InDesign package the linked files)
- High quality jpeg export of the same file
- Word document of the text contained on poster (usually around 1000 words.....see examples linked from wiki). The text must be organized under logical headings conventionally Abstract, Introduction, Method(s), Results, Future Work.
The files may be large - my email account will accept up to 25MB attachments. If larger I recommend using the following service that will let you send files up to 100MB files for free:
If you need to send a file larger than 100MB email me and we can work something out (word of advice - do not contact me at 4:29pm on the due date).
- Google image search of academic poster for examples
- academic poster examples
- Guidelines for academic posters
- academic posters
Immersive Project Outline
Google doc (click for document)
Groups & Immersive Project Topic
Christina Forrest, Kylie Satterman, Ashley Hudson
A Critical Analysis of Immersive Labs with Today's Technology[1]
Adam Jones, Meg Rude, Ashley Mellgren
"Being There" and the Role of Presence Technology
Being there: Virtual presence of Island Park
Conventional landscape architecture presentation techniques that use still imagery, whether of an existing site or design proposal, have weaknesses; still images have sensory limitations because they only stimulate the visual sense. Also, with a still image, there is no sense of surroundings because you are fixed at one focal point.
Our project aims to give people a better sense of presence in an existing space using motion and audio when compared to what has been typically used in presentations. The immersive lab will allow us to show a more realistic approach to experiencing a place with the use of 360 degree panoramic animation augmented with audio. By doing this, we hope that the “presence” is enhanced.
With the use of digital imagery, Quicktime Pro, and Audacity, we will create a 360 degree panoramic animation enhanced with audio. Audience will include peers and professors. To determine if the outcome is successful, we will first show one image on one screen, followed by a 360 degree panoramic image on all immersive lab screens, then followed by the same panoramic image with digital sound. Questions and discussion will follow the presentation to determine if the target audience’s experienced is enhanced with the panoramic and audio.
-Tues., Nov. 10….Have all images taken
10-17…compile images in Quicktime Pro to make 360 panoramic image
17-24…mix sound and link with 360 file
24-Dec. 1…compile and finish presentation material
(will be completed by or before above dates)
Sounds great. Be specific and list the questions you will ask the audience to gauge success/failure.
Jodi Sagvold, Ryan Martineau, Erik Twistol
Title: Cass County Courthouse - Spatial Reclamation
Hypothesis: The aim of our project is to show viewers how the space surrounding the Cass County courthouse located on 9th street south in downtown Fargo was originally designed to be viewed. The current site is overgrown with view blocking mature trees, lots of them. It is hard for the viewer to even notice the building itself, not to mention the details of said building. When most people look at a small image of a building, it is difficult for them to understand what it would feel like to be in front of the building due to sheer scale issues. By using Powerpoint or still images to compare the Courthouse to similar settings, the viewer can better understand the goal of our project. Once the purpose is understood we can present our proposal in a 3D format using Sketch-Up on a Google Earth base to allow for a more realistic connection to the space allowing the viewer to decide for themselves if action should be taken to rework the grounds of the Courthouse to revive the experience and charm the building has to offer to both the neighborhood and community. The building itself is a local icon which has recently been forgotten. Our wish is to see it revived.
Methodology: We have noticed that the only images of the Courthouse that show its front entrance are old postcards or tree-blocked winter shots, nothing recent. It is as if the building disappeared from imagery for the past three decades. The method we have chosen, therefore, is to enlarge the image of old postcards to show historically what the neighborhood was designed to feel like. By using large projected images, the sense of space is easier to connect to. We are also hoping to use this type of presentation to feel what the space would have to offer if the street between 2nd and 3rd avenues south on 9th street was removed and converted to a grand courthouse mall for a usable public space. Extending the lawn would also allow for more surface water absorption creating a little less strain on the storm drains. By creating more greenspace we can also offset the removal of the mature trees by replanting in more appropriate places.
Timeline: Nov. 14 - Have all photos of buildings/streets in the Courthouse neighborhood taken.
Nov. 14-28- Work on Google Earth/ Sketch-up Base Map of neighborhood.
Nov. 28 - Have case study and Base Map done and perform trial run in screening room.
Dec. 02 - Project Due.
Good start - I would suggest supplementing the enlarged postcard with another method to compare the success. Recreating the building from the postcard imagery in sketchup, as it was at the time you would like to demonstrate, would allow for a comparison of methods (ie. is it communicated better via the 2d montage or the postcard or the 3d spatial model in sketchup). Also, please include what specific questions you would like to ask the audience to determine the success or failure of each visualization type.
Jean Beaupre, Stephanie Falkers, and Laura Zimmerman
Technology for dynamic viewing and peripheral vision in landscape visualization
Alley Immersion
Hypothesis: In the course of a project, it's not always feasible for all parties involved in the process to visit a site. The experience between physically being at a site and experiencing the site only through digital media has different effects. The immersive lab will allow us to display 3-D modeling at the 60 degree peripheral view which is how we see the physical landscape on site. This enables us to be immersed into the model. A real time experience requires all five sense but the immersive lab is currently utilized for your visual stimulation. Developing technologies have promoted the use of sound by means of digital media through mediums such as surround sound and real time audio clips. How can the addition of sound add to the real time perception of digitally modeled landscape? Will sounds influence the context and content of the space without reinforcement from a visual sense?
Methodology: Our group will build upon an existing model of downtown Seattle. The addition of a walk through and sound clips will be constructed to create a more immersed project. The class will be divided into four groups each experiencing a different auditory scenarios being placed within the same visual context. Following each walk through, the groups will receive a questionnaire assessing their perceptions of the spatial landscape. After all four trials there will be a class discussion.
Alley Immersion Timeline
November 18th: Each Zone Alley Modeled
November 23rd: Develop Sound Clips
November 30th: Place Sound Clips
December 2nd: Test @ Class
December 9th: Executive Summary developed and turned it
Some issues; the lab is comprised currently to engage visual and audio senses (hence speakers). A real-time experience can be had with only visual senses. How can sound change the quality of space is vague, narrow it down more. Is this project really about all five senses or merely visual and audio? (if it is about other senses how will you accomplish this with the current technology?). The methodology and timeline look good - revise the first part to make sense.
Jim Fink
Project: Real Time Analysis of Virtual Space
Community development and urban design projects rely on public evaluation. Pertinent feedback is often times difficult to acquire because of the methods used to present a design. Usually the public is presented with a model, or selected still images of a proposed project, and are asked to analyze and evaluate the design based on very little information. I propose that a more effective way to collect public opinions of a design is to provide the ability to walk around in a 3D model in real time. In this project, I will build a spatial model in 3D Studio Max and use a videogame engine to convert the model to a format that allows real time spatial analysis similar to Unreal Tournament play. This user driven exploration of space will yield a more detailed evaluation, and if used for community development or urban design, could produce a more successful result.
Very interesting - specify what questions you would like to ask users to determine the success of the methodology.
Brad N, Bryan L and Josh M
Digital Images, Photo-Sharing, and Our Shifting Notions of Everyday Aesthetics
St. Louis Spatial and Auditory Analysis
Hypothesis:
We are going to provide one possible solution to Josh’s thesis by making a 3D model and experiencing space with the Immersive Lab. Use of sound and advanced textures will increase the authenticity of the experience.
Methodology:
Our audience will be the students in this seminar class. Our success will be gauged by how realistic the representation is of the space. We will be using 3D Studio Max to accomplish a realistic 3D model.
First sentence is confusing - are you proposing a design solution for the thesis? Elaborate on what you mean by authenticity and and how sound and textures will increase it.
If the audience will be the class, how are you going to determine how realistic they think the representation is? Will you use a questionnaire? Are you going to compare the 3d model to actual images, or real-life? Please elaborate.
Adam Bishop, Trevor Quick, Louie Kramvik
My experience my world mp3 in London
Title: Analyzing a landscape through cinematic immersion
Hypothesis:
The goal of our project is to compare the realm of reality. Currently photography is used to express and represent the qualities of a landscape. This is true in the field of landscape architecture when expressing site inventory. Photographs are used during a presentation to help the audience orientate themselves with the project site. The immersive lab currently uses panoramic viewing to involve the audience in the landscape. Our group will compare the current use of panoramic viewing verses cinematic immersion. Cinematic immersion includes viewing on all three screens using real time cinematics with surround sound. The goal of our project is to prove that people are visually stimulated through cinematography and can therefore have a better sense of landscape qualities during a site inventory presentation. Methodology: Our group will attempt to prove our hypothesis by collaboratively stictching together videos clips and sounds of three different spaces, a naturalistic, a residential, and an urban setting. We will then require an audience to evaluate the differences between panoramic and cinematic viewing. The audience will include individuals related and unrelated to the landscape architecture field. This will allow us to identify the successes and failures of our hypothesis.
Timeline:
November 2nd – November 9th – cinematic clips and sound gathering from the three sites, panoramic camera shots November 9th – November 16th-stitch together sound clips, cinematic clips, and panoramic photographs. November 16th-December 23rd-set up preliminary analysis for feedback November 23rd-December 7th-reconfigure and set up final presentation analysis
Supporting References:
http://photojojo.com/content/diy/videoramas-stitch-digital-video-panoramas/
http://www.freshpatents.com/-dt20090924ptan20090237492.php
Very interesting. Determine what specific questions and interview technique you need to determine which of you methods is more successful.
Steve Eggert, Mark Flicker, Ryan Corrigan
Title: The simulation and visualization of complex human-environment interactions
Hypothesis:
as we asses our reading we see visual immersion is dependent on a countless number of variables when attempting to simulate the natural world as we see in reality. There are so few of these variables that are visually dependent and most, oddly, are subconscious reactions and effects the chaotic human element in interactions. So what we hypothesize is that the idea of immersion can be achieved by distraction from the confines we see in our analytical reasoning as we see the world around us. If one can isolate the visual stimulus and create an alternate engagement, not in relation to our conscious environment in say simulating reality, but creating some object or stimulus to engage us alternately to more strongly achieve the reaction that we are desiring. Pull the mind away from the confines of the natural world and let the unbound imagination and curiosity take on a larger role in how we react. Like a shiny ball to 4 year old child, they loos track of time space and their environment they're grounded in as they asses and analyze what is so fascinating in front of them.
Experiment To test our theory we plan to create a strong enough visual variable, i.e. a 3 dimensional image or movie, that our audience will loose contact with their immediate surroundings when immersed in our visual catalyst. At which time we will manipulate some contextual aspect, hopefully without their notice. We will create two similar presentations but both will be fundamentally altered to isolate the variables we wish to test. For the sake of validity of our test these variables cannot be reviled at this time.
Timeline:
November 2nd – November 9th – gather information on technologies and techniques for 3D images and video
November 9th – November 16th- develop a successful 3D image and find available 3D glasses
November 16th-December 23rd- determine feasibility of 3D video creation and begin work
November 23rd-December 7th-conclude all work and develop final presentation
Make a 3D movie [[2]]
Your premise is extremely interesting but falls apart at the end. Be more specific regarding what you are trying to uncover with the project, and how you will do that.
Brett, Molly, David
Immersive design
Hypothesis: The idea of designing in 3d is a new and intriguing method. We intend on finding a way to use the immersive lab to improve our designs process in any way. We feel we can blur the line between hand drawn design and computer design to incorporate the best of both worlds. The goal of this experiment is to determine the advantages or disadvantages of designing using an electronic sketch pad within the immersive lab, versus conventional design techniques.
Questions: Dose this style of design alter or enhance the designers special perception? Dose this experiment improve the quality, creativity, simplicity of the design? Is it any easer to design as a group with this design method?
Methodology: To test this hypothesis we intend to conduct a collaborative group design in class. We will take suggestions form individuals as well as give them the opportunity to draw as well. We will then record any feed back from groups of students.
Timeline:
11/23/09 rent electronic sketch pad
11/25/09 assess compatibility of sketch pad with immersive lab
11/30/09 prepare design experiment for class
Patrick Benson
exploring walkthroughs in sketchup with sketchyphysics
Brett Eidem, Molly Keleny, David Prom
Ancestors of the virtual, historical aspects of virtual reality and its contemporary impact
Bibliography
Please see my online bibliography for the course to select a reading to present. Please add your reading title and group names to a slot below under 'weekly reading discussion order'
Weekly reading discussion order
- Sep 14
- Ryan, Jodi, Erik - Considering virtual worlds as representations of landscape realities and as tools for landscape planning
- Sep 16
- mark, steve, patrick The simulation and visualization of complex human-environment interactions
- Sep 21
- Brett, Molly, David Ancestors of the virtual, historical aspects of virtual reality and its contemporary impact
- Sep 28
- Adam, Maegin, Ashley - "Being There" and the Role of Presence Technology
- Sep 30
- Bishop, Quick, Louie
- Oct 5
- Kylie, Christina, Ashley H. Experiential approaches to perception response in virtual worlds
- Oct 7
- Patrick Benson
- Oct 12
- Josh, Brad, Bryan
- Oct 14
- Steph, Jean, and Laura: Technology for dynamic viewing and peripheral vision in landscape visualization
