Spaces, Equipment, and Technology
WID Virtual Environments lab projects would not be possible without advanced visualization technologies. This includes four display environments located in two spaces. See video demos of our technology in action.
WID Virtual Environments offers rentals of its VR resources along with VR research and application development services. For more information on this, please contact Ross Tredinnick, Virtual Environments Systems Programmer: rdtredinnick@wisc.edu.
CAVE Rental
The fully immersive CAVE C6 is a room with four 9’6” x 9’6 walls, a ceiling and a floor — all of which are projection screens, except for the floor, which is a clear plexi-glass surface. Behind each projection screen are two projectors, which form 3D rear projected images on each screen. The system also has a 5.1 surround sound audio system and ceiling microphones for two-way communication to the development lab. The C6 uses Intersense head and wand tracking for full user-viewpoint-dependent stereoscopic (3D) viewing. Ultrasonic tracking sensors embedded into the CAVE corners provide full tracking of the head and wand. An IP-based camera is mounted in the rear of the CAVE with the ability to record and stream video of the happenings in the space to other parts of the Discovery Building.
Dev Lab Rental
The development lab, or dev lab for short, includes three display systems: a single “Powerwall” 3D interactive rear-projected display (9’6” x 9’6”), a 63” 3D HDTV, and a ceiling mounted front projection display.
3D Scanning
The lab possesses a FARO Focus S120 Terrestrial LiDAR scanner for 3D data set creation of real life environments. This scanning system can capture highly detailed point cloud models of the surrounding environment of its operation in short periods of time. For example, a typical home environment can be captured in 2-4 hours of time, depending on number of rooms, etc. Resolution of such a model can be at a millimeter level of detail.
3D Scan Data Processing
The lab has developed a 3D scan data processing pipeline, as well as an immersive VR point cloud rendering solution for visualization of 3D scanned point clouds in virtual reality. Processing and visualization of scanned point clouds can be done to prepare them for class activities, educational projects, or for any sort of research purpose.
Virtual / Augmented / Mixed Reality Programming and Development
The lab has a significant amount of experience in developing general VR / AR / MR applications and solutions for interested campus or external partners. This includes expertise in the Unity3D development environment.