Fișa disciplinei:

FI-M SFA-139 Vizualizare de arhitectura.pdf

Department:

Study of Form and Ambience

Course Leader:

conf.dr.arh. Andreea Iosif

Learning outcomes:

General Objective:
Understanding and applying XR technologies in the design process within the fields of Architecture and Product Design by developing practical skills for creating immersive-interactive visualizations and fostering a critical attitude towards the potential, limitations, and impact of these technologies.

Specific Objectives:
1.Familiarization with the XR ecosystem:
- Assimilation of basic terminology and the historical and technological context of virtual, augmented, and mixed reality.
- Awareness of the key factors that determine a high-quality immersive experience (hardware performance, ergonomics, interactive design).
2. Developing technical skills for XR production:
- Creating VR scenes, including importing, texturing, and lighting 3D models.
- Producing 360° video materials and stereoscopic clips, integrating and editing them in post-production tools.
-Practicing and demonstrating AR/MR workflows for collaborative projects.
3.Optimizing and publishing content:
-Applying best practices for polygonal and texture optimization for real-time.

Content:

Module 1: Introduction to Extended Reality (XR)

Week 1 – Theory:
- Definition and purpose of XR.
- Evolution of three-dimensional representation methods in architecture and design.
- The importance of immersive-interactive visualizations in the creative process.
- Current trends and areas of interest (VR, AR, MR, Metaverse).

Week 2 – Activities:
- Familiarization with a VR headset: presentation of the main types of devices (Oculus, HTC, etc.).
- Software exploration and testing of a specific VR experience (e.g., “Notre-Dame de Paris: Journey Back In Time”).
- Comparative analysis of VR experiences and factors influencing immersion levels.
- Open discussion and feedback questionnaire on the impact of the VR experience.

Module 2: Exploring Virtual Reality through Twinmotion

Week 3 – Theory:
- VR definitions and terminology.
- Features and limitations of Virtual Reality.
- The evolution of virtualization: from screen display to the metaverse.

Week 4 – Activities:
- Creating a single-player scene for PC-VR in Twinmotion.
- Importing a personal 3D model, refining the scene (lighting, textures, ambiance, entourage).
- Discussion on best optimization practices for VR.

Week 5 – Activities:
- Aggregating individual scenes into a shared virtual showroom.
- Discussions on interactivity and navigation.

Week 6:

- Comparative analysis: Twinmotion vs. Unreal Engine (potential and limitations).
- Open discussions + conclusion questionnaire.

Module 3: OutsideVR – Stereoscopy and Videomapping as VR Substitutes

Week 7 – Theory:

- 360° images and stereo images.
- 3D film: technical concepts and compositional principles.
- Experimenting with stereo and mono films viewed through a headset.
- Creating a 3D clip in Twinmotion.

Week 8 – Activities:
- Aggregating clips in DaVinci Resolve and uploading the result to YouTube.
- Converting equirectangular format to cubemap and video projection in the VR Cave installation.
- Open discussions and conclusion questionnaire.

Module 4: Optimizing Scenes for Real-Time Visualization

Week 9 – Theory:
- Correct polygonal modeling (objects and hierarchies, multimaterials, UVs, smoothing groups).
- Why optimization matters: hardware limitations, framerate, latency.

Week 10 – Activities:
- Optimizing the previously used 3D model.
- Verification by uploading the model to Sketchfab and testing performance.

Module 5: Beyond VR – Augmented Reality and Mixed Reality

Week 11 – Theory:
- Integrating 3D models into real-world environments using AR.
- Mixed Reality: definition, examples, and applications.
- Familiarization with the Arkio platform (or equivalent) and assignment presentation.

Week 12 – Activities:
- Uploading personal models and practicing collaborative work (headset/smartphone).
- Real-scale modifications and instant feedback.

Module 6: Multiplayer Interactions in the Metaverse

Week 13 – Theory:
- Definition and features of metaverses.
- Opportunities for publishing models and 3D scenes (VRChat, Spatial, etc.).
- VR exploration on selected platforms (case studies).

Week 14 – Activities:
- Exploring a chosen metaverse, uploading personal 3D models, sharing the link.
- Analysis of the platform’s limitations and potential.
- Open discussions and final paper.
- Summative evaluation and overall conclusions.

Teaching Method:

Videowall presentations, VR headsets & cameras experiments

Assessment:

Corrections and practice at @MAC – 70%
Final evaluation questionnaire – 30%
Minimum standard: 45% required to pass, with the condition that each of the above activities must have a non-zero score

Bibliography:

About Interactive Visualisations, playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaqGKflTqYHyhIa95yqOzuGRgAUUPZ3Gp

Beginner course - Unreal Engine 5 for Archviz:
https://youtu.be/bT8aSTkpkDY?si=oCxiU153ONYJoJDy

Intermediate course - Unreal Engine 5 for Archviz:
https://youtu.be/u3yk75fUR-U?si=tbjIBS1S-PvxyVLq

Twinmotion on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@twinmotion

DaVinci Resolve tutorials:
https://www.youtube.com/@hughhou

Spatial Documentation:
https://toolkit.spatial.io/