Objectives

The Blocksmith Project focuses on the use of virtual interface technology in the conceptual design process as well as the construction of software interfaces appropriate to interactions with objects' virtual environments.


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Project members are developing a set of software tools that will enable rapid prototyping of virtual environments across all applications by immersive participants. Such tools will facilitate the conceptual design of three-dimensional content with virtual interface technology.

The Blocksmith team will collobarate with local architecture and multi-media firms interested in directing our efforts to develop immersive design tools for three-dimensional content as well as large hardware and software companies interested in our efforts to develop interface ideas for immersive world-building tools.

Elements

  • Identify the tools critical to immersive design in the context of other software efforts.
  • Specify and design the software interface to the tools.
  • Specify and design the user interface to the toolkit.
  • Implement and test the tools.
  • Integrate the toolkit with the existing GreenSpace software environment.
  • Promote the toolkit to local architecture and multi-media firms interested in three-dimensional content, hardware and software companies at large, and other research laboratories.
  • Seek collaboration and support from external funding sources to continue development of such a toolkit.

    Deliverables

    Basic tools that facilitate immersive design of three-dimensional content, including:

  • Create hexahedral primitive ("squish box")
  • Select primitive(s) or their elements (vertex, edge, face)
  • Move or resize primitive(s)
  • Delete primitive(s)
  • Reshape primitive(s)
  • Copy primitive(s)
  • Color primitive(s) or their elements
  • Aggregate primitive(s)
  • Snap to grid or angle
  • Constrain translation or rotation
  • Scale (zoom) participant
  • Load, import, and save inventor files

    Future Directions

  • Development and testing of the toolkit
  • Promotion/demonstration of the toolkit
  • Integration with other HIT Lab ideas and initiatives, including the GreenSpace project, the Working Surfaces Input System, and the Virtual Motion Controller