Class 10: Monocular Depth Cues

 

This screenshot was taken from Second Life. This is one of the examples of monocular depth cues. This example in particular is known as size difference. As you can see I have circled two trees in the picture. One tree is further from my character than the other thus it is smaller on the screen. This gives the 3D illusion by utilizing size to show how one would realistically perceive these objects.

 This screenshot was taken from Minecraft. This is an example of occlusion which is another example of a monocular depth cue. Occlusion is when an object blocks  or occludes something visually emphasizing the fact that the blocking object is closer. In this example the cow is blocking the background hill which visually shows that the cow is closer to you in the 3D space than the hill in the back.

 This is an example of the third monocular depth cues. This is an example of Light and Shading taken from Second Life yet again. If you look at the red circle you can see that the face of the gray step is very bright and defined. If you then look at the black circle, you can see a darker shade of gray is used because of how the light is contacting and hitting the concrete step. The light is therefore coming from the rightside.

 This is the fourth example of monocular depth cues. This is the example of Texture Density. As you can see in Second Life here the tiles that are closer to my avatar are much more spaced and clearly defined. The same pattern continues in the distance but logically as it would in real life the patterns are harder to define.

This is an example of Linear Perspective. The point that is circled is the vanishing point in our eyes of the wall that is next to my avatar. The wall gets more narrow as it goes further off into the distance until it eventually vanishes to the "vanishing point". This gives it a more realistic feel as if the wall is truly getting further and further away from my 3D location.

The last monocular depth cue is Atmospheric Perspective. In Minecraft, you can see here that in the circle closest to me the terrain is more defined whereas the same dirt/grass in the distance on the mountain just appears to be a brown and green color. This is a clear example of atmospheric perspective. It mainly results in the light traveling in the atmosphere which makes it so that objects closer to you are more defined.

 

FINAL PROJECT STEP 2: BUILDING MY IMMERSIVE LIBRARY/MUSEUM

 

I found this option to be particularly useful in creating my library. It allows for a superflat creative atmosphere!

Also another option I found useful was to change the Difficulty to "Peaceful" so that no monsters would disturb while I built my library.

 

I was able to start with this open space.

I decided to start my museum with a base that would be very unique. It would start as shown in the picture and continue until it reached a decent amount of floors (levels).

Wow that was a lot of work. Here is what the base is shaping up to be. I also made it so that it alternates colors.

Here I am working on building my snowman using ice.

 Wow here's my snowman that is complete.

Here I am building my tree using oak for the base of the tree.

 Working on the top part of the tree.

Done and complete with the tree.

Building my ceiling using lime-stained glass.

Building the golden throne!

 Complete! With a nice sunset in the background.

Building the cross using pink-stained glass.

Done building . Another handy tool was to be able to set the time of the day using the command (/time set 0).

 Adding a layer of black glass to the roof top.

 Floor finished.

FINAL PROJECT STEP 2: MY COMPLETED IMMERSIVE LIBRARY/MUSEUM

 

This is the start of my library/museum. I thought it was an interesting concept. It also took a long amount of time to complete.

Above the base is this flat layer in which you can see two of my objects. One is a tree, and the other a snowman!

 Snowman is here. Couldn't really do detail on the face but I gave him an orange nose and a hat as well!

Object #2 is a tree as seen here.

From the first platform I created 4 emerald pillars that goes high into the skies.

 Close look at the top of the four pillars. This was created using green tinted glass. I love building in Minecraft using the glass.

Inversely, the view looking down from the roof to the two object below through the glass.

 The view from the top. I created a black railing made of black tinted glass.

Object #3 is on the roof and is a cross made from pink-tinted glass.

My last object is this golden throne that sits on the top of the building.

View from the throne looking at the cross.

The roof as a whole

 The library as whole from far away!

Inventory

Base of Building (Picture 1) = 1500 Blocks

Four Pillars = 2400 Blocks

Tree = 60 Blocks

Snowman =  300 Blocks

Ceiling = 600 Blocks

Cross = 80 Blocks

Throne = 64 Blocks

Total: 5004 Blocks

 

 

 

FINAL PROJECT STEP 1: IMMERSIVE LIBRARIES AND MUSEUMS

The missions statement for the Libraries and Museums Technology Working Group is to be “responsible for defining, implementing, evolving and maintaining applications and open standards related to the provision of library and museum services associated with Immersive Education. It even specified the requirements to join the initiative which was to have experience with actual libraries/museums, have experience with digital libraries/museums, or experience with developing or using virtual worlds, simulators, video games, or full augmented realities.

This challenge that they face is being able to provide a resource center that goes beyond mere physical resources, due to the fast paced technological age we are in. They want to focus on scholarly communication and tools of educational enrichment that go beyond traditional printed books and journals, and now are easily accessible through this spectrum of multimedia. With the power of technology currently available, they aspire to leverage it in being able to deepen people’s knowledge while also supplying them with dynamic educational experience and cultural content in meaningful, accessible, and relevant ways.

They progress into the topic of redefining the library “practice” which they refer to. Although libraries have implemented technology for the past thirty years, the problem now is the constraint in which traditional and physical spaces present. According to the Libraries and Technology Working Group, the communication which library staff and partners depend on are all traditional including email, telephone, and process control systems. In utilizing immersive education and virtual realities, virtual reality meetings and consultations are possible ultimately making communication much more efficient. 

This then branches into the topic of museums and the educational opportunities achievable through such means. In using immersive education you could utilize modern gaming technology and interactivity to uniquely present museums objects, artifacts, artworks, and contextualize them creating connections and links which would open up expanding space for new interpretations. These are things that only can be achievable through the immersive education initiative and are the future of learning as we know it.

I believe that virtual reality and education will be the future of education. It provides an environment where everyone can feel comfortable to express themselves and have access to tools and resources otherwise unavailable in a traditional learning environment. With technological influence only growing more and more in our modern age, I believe that immersive education is only a natural step in the progression of education in society. I'm excited for what the future thus has to offer.

 To read more go to http://jied.org/!

Class 9, Exploring Second Life

 

Here I am choosing my avatar as this man with sunglasses

 

Wow talk about avatar customization. It allowed me to morph into a vampire with wings.

 Here I have entered Second Life and am currently on the "Learning Island 5" world.

Wow the graphics are actually beautiful here I am flying over a bridge through a waterfall.

Here I am in the world called "Hyles Swamp". It was rather relaxing.

Wow they even had a yacht in the world. I found flying the best method to exploring these worlds.

 Here I have entered the world "Winter Wonderland 2015". Its so beautiful!

 Wow a huge snowman! I also learned not all worlds allow you to fly, which kind of sucked.

 Here's the fourth world I was able to visit. It was called "Whimsy" and was a nice beautiful island.

As I was exploring the island I found that a different part of the island actually had rain. Thought this was pretty cool.

Here's the last world I visited. It was called "Couture Boulevard". It had a very modern feel to it compared to the other worlds I visited.

Going inside some of the buildings was kind of like museums. Here I am actually sitting on a chair and looking around!