In-class Activity #1
Total Estimated Time: 30 min
To-do Before Class:
Estimated Time: 1 min
TODO:
Download “Google Arts & Culture” on your mobile device. Click the IOS link or Andriod link to download, or feel free to directly search in App Store or Google Play.
Bring charged devices to class: a mobile device (smartphone or tablet), a laptop computer, and Oculus Quest 2.
Brief Intro:
Estimated Time: 2 min
In this in-class activity, we will compare the experience of visualizing archaeological data on three different devices: mobile, PC, and VR headset. The purpose of this activity is to understand how VR technology can enhance the visualization of archaeological data and improve our understanding of historical artifacts.
Before we start, it’s important to keep in mind that the goal is to compare the experiences on different devices and provide your own evaluation. I recommend reviewing the first page of the feedback form beforehand so that you are aware of what aspects you should pay attention to during the process when using each of the different products.
In this activity, we’ll focus on the dataset of the Iyá Moòpó sculpture in Osun Osogbo Sacred Groves in Nigeria. But you’re welcome to explore other sites as well.
Osun Osogbo is a sacred grove along the banks of the Osun river just outside the city of Osogbo, Nigeria. It is one of the last remnants of primary high forest in southern Nigeria and it contains many shrines, sculptures and artworks dedicated to Osun, a Yoruba goddess. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2005.
Iyá Moòpó is a goddess of all that is female in Yoruba religion. She is also a potter that molds existence and protects women’s crafts. She is depicted as a giant sculpture in Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove, created by Susanne Wenger and Adebisi Akanji.
Google Arts & Culture
Estimated Time: 2 min
Device: mobile
Open “Google Arts & Culture” App on your mobile device.
Click the search button on the top left corner. Search for “Journeys From Home: Osun Osogbo” and open it.
Scroll down until you see the 3D model. Then you can keep scrolling to let the camera angle changes automatically to introduce you each detail of the sculpture, or you can also be free to manipulate the model by yourself.
TODO:
Find your favorite angle and take a screenshot.
(Optional) Google Arts & Culture also supports website experience. Feel free to try it.
CyArk
Estimated Time: 5 min
Device: laptop
Open the website link in your laptop’s browser.
In the middle of the page, you’ll find a “Explore in 3D” button. Click it to launch the 3D explorer, and the first model it shows should be the Iyá Moòpó sculpture.
On the bottom right of the page, click “Setting” and you can choose your navigation method between “Orbit” or “First Person”. Click “Model Inspector” to change the properties of the model.
TODO:
Find the same angle and take a screenshot.
(Optional) CyArk also supports VR experience. Feel free to try it by using the browser in your VR headset to open the page.
Open Heritage 3D
Estimated Time: 15 min
Device: Oculus Quest 2
Open the website link in your Quest 2’s browser. (I think it’s easier to open it by searching “Brown VR wiki” in Google and finding this HackMD document in our wiki site, but you can choose to type the URL in your browser: https://openheritage3d.org/project.php?id=hevx-jf76 .)
Scroll down to find the Point Cloud Viewer. Click the bottom right corner to get the full experience. (Point cloud models can take a very long time to load, so please be patient. )
Click the hamburger button on the top left corner and you can change the properties of the model.
Click the “Enter VR” button on the top left corner to view the model in VR environment. Try to learn the interactions yourself but feel free to ask if you have questions.
TODO:
Find the same angle and take a screenshot.
(Optional) Open Heritage also supports PC website experience. Feel free to try.
Feedback Form
Estimated Time: 5 min
TODO:
Thank you for participating in the activity! Please fill out the feedback form and then you are all set.