Titulo Estágio
VR tour to the University’s Tower
Local do Estágio
DEI
Enquadramento
(For images, open the doc version of this proposal: https://bit.ly/3aeWpcr )
Virtual Reality (VR) tours represent an important alternative to the physical fruition of Cultural Heritage (CH) for various reasons: increased accessibility for people with mobility restrictions, less physical tourism pressure over sensible CH locations, possibility of experiencing unbuilt or demolished architectural locations. The University’s Tower is an example of a location that could benefit from a VR tour given that climbing the tower is a physically demanding experience that many people are unable to go through.
Having a VR tour of the University’s Tower would allow the University’s Tourism office to provide visitors with a “next best thing” experience to that iconic location.
Objetivo
There are three main aspects to be investigated during this project: a) what combination of visual content is viable to obtain for modelling the visual experience, b) what soundscapes should be conveyed and how to create them and c) what interactive features better mimic the physical experience. Overall, the purpose of this project is to create a VR experience that conveys the visual, auditory and interactive experience with as much fidelity as possible. Specifically, the objectives are to:
1. Visually model the experience of going up in the University’s Tower. For this the student should investigate the possibility of using digitization techniques (i.e., modelling the interior using photogrammetry software), 3D modelling, or 360º photos / videos.
2. Model the auditory experience. The student should investigate the possibility of recording the sound in the interior / exterior, and / or composing soundscapes that convey a similar auditory experience.
3. Model the interaction within the VR environment. For this the student should investigate how the user will move through the virtual environment in a way that approximates the physical experience (e.g. grab to climb vs joystick).
Plano de Trabalhos - Semestre 1
1. Learn about the experience of going up the University’s Tower
2. Study VR and VR development tools
3. Study digitization tools
4. Create an early prototype that demonstrates how the content will the captured or modelled
Plano de Trabalhos - Semestre 2
1. Develop the visual part of the experience
2. Develop the auditory part of the experience
3. Develop the interactive part of the experience
4. Evaluate the resulting environment
5. Write the dissertation
Condições
The student will have access to the VR equipment available at the department (HTC Vive or Oculus Quest 2).
Work will be co-advised by prof. Claudete Moreira from the Geography and Tourism department
Observações
There is also the possibility of applying the ideas in this project to the lighthouse of the Praia da Barra in Ilhavo.
Orientador
Jorge Carlos dos Santos Cardoso
jorgecardoso@dei.uc.pt 📩