VR Final Year Project Progress

Interface Design 2

2009-10-25T23:05:00.000-07:00

Enhance and Debug

2009-05-28T23:46:00.000-07:00

After the final presentation, i replace the previous modelling of all the plant with a better modelling which looks more vivid and make some changes with the texture. Besides, i try to fix the bugs, now i think there is only leave 1 bug, which is the back button of the introduction page.

Poster and Interaction Board

2009-05-13T21:29:00.000-07:00

Poster

Interaction Board

Introduction page

2009-05-13T17:53:00.000-07:00

There are 3 introduction page for the application. The first one is the start page. Second is a simple introduction of the application. And the third one is the instroduction about the control key.

The Sound

2009-05-13T17:39:00.000-07:00

Basically there are 4 type of sound in the application, which are background music, ambient sound, button sound and the sound of the musical instrument.

When the user interact with the application, the background will playing all the time besides when user "play" the instrument.

User will hear the ambient soundwhen he/ she enter the center of the environment.

On the other hand, a button sound apply to all the button. When rollover the button, the sound will play.

All the musical instrument sound is recorded by myself under the help of Chinese Orchestra MMU. The musical instrument sound is applyed when user experience the way of playing to increase the immersion.

Interaction 2

2009-05-12T16:59:00.000-07:00

DRUM INTERACTION

When user enter certain range of area, the pop-up menu appear.

When click on the interaction button, user will enter this scere.

Then, this is the interface that the user will see.

MUYU INTERACTION

When user enter certain range of area, the pop-up menu appear.

When click on the interaction button, user will enter this scere.

Then, this is the interface that the user will see.

YANGQIN INTERACTION

When user enter certain range of area, the pop-up menu appear.

When click on the interaction button, user will enter this scere.

Then, this is the interface that the user will see.

Baked texture

2009-05-04T17:06:00.001-07:00

These are some of the pictures of my modelling after baked texture.

The texturing and modelling board

2009-04-05T16:46:00.000-07:00

The Interaction

2009-04-05T16:33:00.000-07:00

In the beginning, the user will see the male and female avater drink tea at the living room.

When enter certain area, thebutton will pop up to allow user to explore the artefact. The proximity sensor is used to do this interaction.

When the user click on the history button, a pop up menu about the artefact's history appear. To close the pop up menu, user has to click the button again.

When the user click on the interaction button, the application will load another scene.

When click on auto button, the artefact will rotate automatically. Click on it again will stop the rotation and go back to its original position.

When click on manual button, user is allowed to rotate the artefact by drag the mouse. Click on it again will stop the rotation and go back to its original position.

When click on back button, it will go back to the previous scene.

When click on map button, a pop up menu is appeared to show the position of the user. To close it, user has to click on it again.

Mapping 4

2009-03-20T01:36:00.000-07:00

Honestly i didn't see much different when i used v-ray to map the avatar, but when i use v-ray to map the environment, the effect looks distinguished from the previous mapping.

Mapping 3

2009-03-14T02:13:00.000-07:00

I started to use V-ray to map the avatar. These are some of the rendering pictures.

Mapping 2

2009-03-10T03:25:00.000-07:00

After the first consultation about the mapping, under the suggestion of lecturer, i decided to try to use v ray to do the mapping. Since i didn't use v-ray before, so i had to explore it.

Mapping

2009-03-07T00:17:00.000-08:00

We started to do the mapping at week 5. Here are some of the rendering pictures of the model which I had mapped it.

Polygon Count

2009-02-24T13:31:00.000-08:00

Here are the elements of my application.

The avatar

The yangqing is quite high poly(9300 poly) because i need to show the interior structure of it.

Some elements like drum and bookshelf are too high poly, so some detail is deleted.

Virtools software

2009-02-24T01:19:00.000-08:00

i can't run the virtools software, when i try to run it, my computer will auto shut down. Last time i thought it is because my hardisk is not compatible with the software, but after i changed back to my old hardisk it still got problem...Beside, when i installed the exporter, it shows that my virtools software got missing file, so i also can not install the exporter. I am quite sure the installer is not the problem, because my friend who use the same installer didn't face this problem.

Anyone know what is the problem? How to solve it?

Rendering picture of the environment

2009-02-15T14:16:00.000-08:00

Interface Design 1

2009-02-06T20:46:00.000-08:00

Mu Yu Room

2009-01-14T16:52:00.000-08:00

Sketchbook

2009-01-11T20:44:00.000-08:00

Sketch book

2008-12-10T02:52:00.000-08:00

Application Analysis Presentation

2008-12-10T02:45:00.001-08:00

New Survey

2008-11-28T00:51:00.000-08:00

i modify the question of the survey and ask Chinese Orchestra Club's members help me to fill it up. There are 18 people help me to fill the survey.

New survey

Idea and Data Consultation

2008-11-26T23:34:00.000-08:00

Today i consult my idea with ms Mastura. In my application the user is allowed to interact with the artifact to obtain information about particular musical instrument. In addition, there is a game to assist user to understand the way of playing of the musical instrument.

After listen to my idea, Ms Mastura said through my application, user should “experience” the playing process but not watched the playing process. She told me my idea may cause me fail the subject and she suggested me to make something which is really allow people to experience the process…

Actually I also know the feature VR application, but I am lack of confident to realize and face it. I worried I can’t achieve the expectation, that’s why I always try to avoid something that I am totally don’t have idea to do…

But now I don’t think I still have choice, if I want pass and maybe get a flying colour result, I have to try it and challenge myself. Hopefully I can make it, bless for me ^^

Survey

2008-11-25T02:19:00.000-08:00

I showed the survey about my application I had done to Pn Natalya, she asked me to change the content because the question I list out is too technical, people may not able to answer. So she suggested me made the question tend to design aspect which is more useful.

Rough information about my application

2008-11-22T03:03:00.000-08:00

Description (max 150 words)
I plan to choose at least 4 Chinese traditional musical instruments to put into my application because basically Chinese traditional musical instrument divides into 4 types which are the bowed strings (inclusive of the Western bass section), plucked strings, woodwinds and percussion.
In the application, the user is allowed to watch the artefacts closely to understand their structure and interaction with the artefacts to obtain the information about the particular musical instrument. Besides, I also plan to add in a game to allow the user to experience the way of playing the particular musical instrument.

Keywords (max 5 words)
Artefact, interaction, sound, modeling, information

What is the objective? (Just 1)
To allow user to understand the structure and information of Chinese traditional musical instrument and experience the way of playing the instruments

What will it communicate?
Artefacts exploration and a simple game to allow user experience the way to play the particular musical instrument

What is the user experience goal?
Satisfying, enjoyable, helpful

Measurement (after tidy up)

2008-11-21T23:02:00.000-08:00

Second time to visit Chinese Orchestra

2008-11-21T01:18:00.000-08:00

The leader and committees of Chinese Orchestra opens the room where they put all the musical instrument for me to take photo. They are very friendly and explain the playing way and information about particular musical instrument.

Here are the photos:

The measurement:

Contact with Chinese Laguage Society

2008-11-19T23:51:00.000-08:00

Through friend’s help, I got chance to contact with Chinese Language Society and ask help from them. They agreed to help me and asked me go to find them on the coming Wednesday.

Every Monday and Wednesday, Chinese orchestra has practice, but they will practice together on Monday, so Wednesday is more suitable for me to collect information.

On Wednesday, I just took photo and measurement of one musical instrument, because they look quiet busy and I don’t want to disturb their practice progress, so I made another appointment with the group leader.

Mind Map

2008-11-18T16:20:00.001-08:00

Gantt Chart

2008-11-18T16:19:00.001-08:00

Project Management Initial Document

2008-11-17T20:36:00.000-08:00

Change artefact

2008-11-15T23:06:00.000-08:00

15 November 2008, I was thinking about change the artifact from Bugis traditional musical instrument to Chinese musical instrument which I am more familiar. After consult with lecturer, she approved my idea.

Second trip to Bugis Museum

2008-11-14T22:23:00.000-08:00

On 16 November 2008 morning, I visited the museum again. This time I got chance to meet the owner and collect the information and record the sound of the musical instrument. Besides, the owner borrowed a CD which is a Bugis Language Song CD. I am very grateful on all the assistion from the owner of the museum.

This is the CD I borrowed with the museum owner

First Trip to Bugis Museum

2008-11-14T21:54:00.000-08:00

On 14 November 2008, I had a trip to Bugis museum to collect the information about the artefact I chosen which is Bugis traditional musical instrument. The owner of the museum is not around, so I just took the photo and measurement of the musical instrument. And I plan to visit the museum again to record the sound of particular musical instrument and interview the owner to collect the information about the musical instrument.

Here are some of the photo I took :

The measurement:

The Final Proposal of Final Year Proposal

2008-11-13T12:33:00.000-08:00

TITLE 8
INTERACTIVE ARTEFACTS EXPLORATION

By

Yoong Siew Lee
1051106975

Virtual Reality Department
Faculty of Creative Multimedia
Multimedia University
2008

Title
Interactive Artefacts Exploration

Abstract
As my title is about artefacts exploration, so I plan to make is like a museum in modern style. This is because in reality world, many museum’s design in Malaysia are tended to traditional style and I between them there are a few museum use wood texture to decorate the whole museum. This may makes the museum looks close to the nature, but there are too many museums designed based on this type of style, so I think is time to something new come out to stimulate people’s vision and sensory organ.
On the other hand, since the traditional musical instrument is replaced by modern musical instrument, so it is difficult for people nowadays to find the traditional musical instrument and hear the sound created by them. Through this VR application, they get the chance to experience the traditional musical instrument’s sound.

Target Audience
This application is created for those who have interested in Bugis’s traditional musical instrument, Malaysia’s culture and history.

Goal
This application aims to allow people to understand the history background and enhance their understanding toward the sound uttered by the different musical instruments.
All the museums have a common rule which is no one is allowed to touch the antique as well as to experience and hear the musical instrument’s sound. However, with the availability of my application, this problem can be solved.
With the virtual application, the user allows to explore the Bugis’ traditional musical instrument. Through my application, user will be able to interact with the musical instrument with the musical instrument to listen the sound created by the musical instrument and know the information of musical instrument.

Objectives
- to immerse the user through realistic visual and particular sound effect of the traditional musical instruments
- to understand the structure and information about the artefacts through interaction and pop up message
- to allow user to easily access the amazing of traditional musical instruments
- to understand the culture of the musical instrument in that particular era

Benchmark
1. This project’s name is Workplace Design which I found from the website-http://www.peoplespace.co.uk/page3001.htm. Its goal is to utilize previously wasted office space in order to create an attractive new working environment that reflects the needs of those that work there.
I think the designer had redesigned the space successfully, the designer makes the office looks very clean, clear and attractive. On the other hand, the way of the design collocates the facility with the plant create a sense of vivid. When I looked at this picture, I feel very comfortable and fresh, so I hope to design the space for collocates the Bugis’s traditional musical instrument based on this picture.

2. This is a game called SuperKat Racer which is found from
http://www.xform.nl/projects/kartgame/kartgame.html. This is racing car game designed for child. It consists of 4 levels with 4 different backgrounds which are daytime, at night, at raining day and snowy day. All the interactions are done by using Virtools software and there are only 5 keys to control the racing car. But the designer puts much effort on interaction part, for example when the car in drove on different surface, the resistance is different and interactions and special effects are very attractive.
For my application, I plan to use the keyboard and mouse as the medium to navigate and interact with the environment. Because of the content issue, the keyboard is used on navigation part just like in SuperKaty Racer game; whereby mouse is more on interaction part.

3. This is a 3D Walkthrough application that I found from http://www.homebydesignshowhouse.com/2004/3d.asp. Before the user starts to use the application, there is a brief introduction about the environment. The user will see through the map of the environment first before he/ she uses the application.
Showing the map of the environment before user starts the application makes the user can walkthrough the environment by his/ her individual preference. So I might apply this idea in my project too.

Description
On the starting page, there will be a brief introduction about how to navigate in the application and the way to interact with the artefacts. After the application is started, the user is allowed to walkthrough in the environment freely without any restriction. When the user walks closer to the artefact, there are 2 proximity sensors will activate which is the lighting sensor and pop-up menu. Then, the user can interact with the artefact to obtain the information about certain artefact and listen the sound of the musical instrument. When the user click on the musical instrument the sound will come up; whereby it will stop when the user click on the musical instrument again. This is for avoid the user feels the musical instrument’s sound is disturbance and causes the user lose interest in half way.

Interaction Description
- user will be able to walkthrough the environment by using arrow keys on the keyboard
- user will be able to interact with the traditional musical instrument to listen the musical’s instrument’s sound. The user is allowed to turn on and turn off the sound freely.
- each musical instrument will has 2 proximity sensors to control the intensity of the light and the pop-up menu. The proximity sensor of lighting’s beyond is bigger than the proximity sensor of the pop-up menu. So when the user walks closer to the musical instrument the lighting sensor will activate first, then follow by the pop-up menu’s sensor. When the user points the pop-up menu, the pop-up menu will close up.

Proposal of Final Year Project 2

2008-11-13T06:40:00.000-08:00

Title No. 9
Virtual Wood Carving

Name : Yoong Siew Lee
ID : 1051106975
Subject : Design Project 1 (Virtual Reality)

1 Introduction
1.1 Aim
This proposal aims to allow people to experience the process of making wood carving which is a valuable traditional handicraft in Malaysia.

1.2 Background
In the circumstance of technology getting progressive, people forget their own heritage and culture gradually. This phenomenon causes lost in many traditional handicrafts, it is time to take action to reserve our culture. Flourishing technology, life pace become faster, people nowadays not willing to spend long time to understand their own culture, so a virtual wood carving system is more practical compare to have a time consuming trip to wood carving factory. On the other hand, it is suitable to those who are not familiar with wood carving like tourist and child, as in virtual world, all the injury is “faked” so they wouldn’t feel the pain. Therefore, virtual wood carving is an idea and practical way for people to experience the process of making wood carving.

1.3 Methodology
The information for this proposal was obtained from reference books and internet.

1.4 Software use
I have to make use of quite a number of different software in order to complete this game, such as Macromedia Photoshop, AutoDesk 3D Studio Max and Virtools.

2 Description
2.1 Content
User goes through the process of making wood carving step by step with simple and clear instruction to ensure the users fully understand the proper process of wood carving. Through this virtual wood carving, the user will know the different type of tools of wood carving and the specify function and effect of every single tool.

2.2 Interaction
Traditional wood carving’s pattern has certain specified “standard” patterns such as “corak”, but if the pattern is predefine, the interaction between the system and user will be limited and restricted. The user might even lose interest half way through the process. Therefore, in this system, the user is allowed to create own design creatively without any restriction; however the system will still provides the instructions to ensure the procedure and sequences are correct.

3 Challenge
I believe the most difficult part of this project is to ensure the interaction run smoothly without occurrence of errors as my knowledge about Virtools software is limited, so I worried the system created unable to achieve my preset expectation.

4 References
* http://www.tourism.terengganu.gov.my/handicraft/woods.htm
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wood_carving
* http://www.etourz.com/wood_carving_ukiran_kayu.htm
* http://www.terengganutourism.com/handicraft.htm

Proposal of Final Year Project 1

2008-11-13T06:22:00.000-08:00

Title No. 28
Wau (Flying Kite) as a Virtual Space Shuttle

Name : Yoong Siew Lee
ID : 1051106975
Subject : Design Project 1 (Virtual Reality)

1 Introduction
1.1 Aim
This proposal aims to allow people to learn about the heritage and culture of Malaysia through playing game. This game consists of two levels to allow the player to compare the differences between the olden days and modern flying kite.

1.2 Background
During the past few years, Malaysia puts in much effort on promote the tourist industry. Naturally, Malaysia’s plentiful culture background becomes the focal point to promote the tourist industry. As one of the most famous and ancient traditional game, of course wau (flying kite) can not be leaved out.
Apart from the tourist, we could like to draw the attention from the local youth as well. The youth nowadays spending too much times on high technology products and forgo heritage and culture passed down by our ancients. We targeted to re-build their interest in knowing and keeping our very own unique culture.

1.3 Methodology
The information is obtained through research on internet and from reference books.

1.4 Software use
I have to make use of quite number of different in order to complete this game, such as Macromedia Photoshop, AutoDesk 3D Studio Max and Virtools.

2 Description
2.1 Content
This game consists of two levels; the background of first level is at a farm, whereby the second level is at the beach. Both of the levels are designed based on the particular and unique culture of olden days and modern eras. The background design of first level is a farm as in the past, flying kite is played by the farmers during the post-harvesting season. Flying wau is not just a game for past time, it is also a way to celebrate harvest season and hoping a great harvest for the coming year. Therefore flying wau has a significant value in the olden days. As for second level the background is set on a beach, since wau is nothing else but just a leisure game to most people. Well, to be more specify, what we playing nowadays is not a “wau” anymore but a “layang”. “Layang” which means “kite” in malay language; layang is evolved from wau. In other words, layang is the modern version of wau.
What is the difference between wau and layang? The features of wau is consists of traditional handcraft pattern, similar to those pattern we can find on “batik” cloth. Wau comes in many shapes such as fish, swallows, cats and even frogs but the most well-known is Wau Bulan (Moon Kite). Wau also has varies sizes, some even has multiple sections and only able to fly into sky with the strength of group of people. Whereby layang is lighter and smaller compare to wau. Layang normally with fancy colours and carton characters like digimons and barney printed on thin plastics. Enough of features and textures, let’s take a look at the game itself. Kite-fighting is unavoidable when it comes to flying kite. Kite fighting used to be a popular sport involves opponents try to bring down their rival’s kite by cutting the strings. In order to achieve the results, glass powder is used to provide cutting-edge. Nowadays we can hardly find people flying kite using glass powdered string due to safety concern. Still, I will reconstruct the scenario and broadcast it in my game to let the players have a taste of flying wau and layang.

2.2 Interaction
Since this game is created with an objective to promote Malaysia’s heritage and culture, so to ensure it achieves the target, the rules that set up by ancestor will apply in the game. For example, player will need to bring down certain amount kites in order to pass the level. In the game, the player can control the directions of the kite to suit the wind direction and the high of the kite to achieve the perfect cutting edge as well as to avoid the attack from their rivals. In addition, to match the real scenario and increase the difficulty, on the string of each kite has a mark indicates the cutting edge. When a kite touches another kite’s perfect cutting edge, the string will give way and the kite will fall down.

3 Challenges
The greatest concern is to control the amount of polygon within the specification of the software to ensure the game able to run smoothly without occurrence of errors. If not, the game may lag, hang or worst unable to operate. As, I only learn about Virtools software for one semester and my knowledge about this software is limited, hence to handle the software well is extremely difficult.

4 References
*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wau
*http://www.tourism.terengganu.gov.my/cultural/wau.htm
*http://www.kiteman.co.uk/MalaysianCollection%20.html
*http://www.virtualmalaysia.com/editors_pick/3267C541-C600-4137-B9F9DAAF8A5E9A34.html