Colby: Project 1 Plan

Project: Comparing interacting with three Smithsonian Open Access 3D models in AR with spatial anchors vs in AR mode on the Smithsonian mobile website. 

Scientific Data: Smithsonian Open Access (link) contains a library of 3D models that are in the correct file format to be used with Unity. For my data visualization, I plan to include three different 3D models in order to compare different visual representations within each scenario (AR with spatial anchors vs Smithsonian mobile web AR viewer). These include comparing three models of varying sizes, listed below from largest to smallest:

• Crab Nebula that is a model of "the remains of an exploded star located about 6,500 light years from Earth"

  • https://3d.si.edu/object/3d/crab-nebula:6634445f-6955-4bc8-aeaf-db2d7610133b

• A complete skeleton of a woolly mammoth: Mammuthus primigenius (Blumbach)

  • https://3d.si.edu/object/3d/mammuthus-primigenius-blumbach:341c96cd-f967-4540-8ed1-d3fc56d31f12

• Model of a Scyllarus ciliatus (lobster's tail)

  • https://3d.si.edu/object/3d/scyllarus-ciliatus:5c35630a-e5fe-484c-bd6f-4cb93616d263

In-class activity: Classmates, using their headsets, will use spatial anchors in AR to anchor a data visualization to a physical part of the room and observe this visualization. They will then view this same visualization with Smithsonian AR mobile website feature. In a feedback form, they will answer how long each experience took them, how difficult they found each experience, and what scenario they felt was most effective for the data. 

Project Plan

(In the below sheet, if it does not appear on the Wiki, please use this link)

Resources and references:

• Spatial Anchors Overview:

  • https://developers.meta.com/horizon/documentation/unity/unity-spatial-anchors-overview/

  • “An anchor is a world-locked frame of reference that gives a position and orientation to a virtual object in the real world”

• Spatial Anchors Sample:

  • https://developers.meta.com/horizon/documentation/unity/unity-sf-spatial-anchors

• Spatial Anchors Tutorial:

  • https://developers.meta.com/horizon/documentation/unity/unity-spatial-anchors-basic-tutorial/

• Passthrough Basic Tutorial:

  • https://developers.meta.com/horizon/documentation/unity/unity-passthrough-tutorial

• Introducing QR Code Tracking for Snapdragon Spaces:

  • https://spaces.qualcomm.com/all/introducing-qr-code-tracking/

• YouTube tutorial: Spatial Anchor - Mixed Reality Unity XR Tutorial

  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPUV3LmscWE

• Shared Spatial Anchors:

  • https://developers.meta.com/horizon/documentation/unity/unity-shared-spatial-anchors

• Shared Spatial Anchors Walkthrough:

  • https://developers.meta.com/horizon/documentation/unity/unity-shared-spatial-anchors-walkthrough

• Mixed Reality Utility Kit Overview:

  • https://developers.meta.com/horizon/documentation/unity/unity-mr-utility-kit-overview

• Developing extended reality apps for Horizon OS in Unity

  • https://developers.meta.com/horizon/documentation/unity/unity-development-overview

• Youtube tutorial:

  • Learn to Create and Manage Spatial Anchors | Meta SDK

  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrfesLoukI4

• Meta Quest scans QR codes for WiFi but includes: Currently, Meta Quest 3 can only scan Wi-Fi QR codes from the Meta Horizon mobile app. Attempts to scan other QR codes will not work at this time.

  • https://www.meta.com/help/quest/1503826183789419/

• Unity model file formats

  • https://docs.unity3d.com/Manual/3D-formats.html

• Smithsonian Open Access 3D models

  • https://3d.si.edu/cc0?utm_source=siedu&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=oa