501 How to Create Your Own 3D Videogame–Style Geologic Field Trip and Host it Online: Accessible, Immersive Data Visualization for Education and Research
With the widespread adoption of laser scanning and photogrammetry to produce 3D models of field sites, there is a need for simple geologic visualization tools. We developed a toolkit that enables the user to explore a 3D terrain or outcrop in a first-person–perspective video game, with classic geology tools that immediately project measured data into on-screen stereonets (www.virtualfieldgeology.com). In this short course, we will guide participants through the workflow to produce their own game-based virtual field trip: (1) importing their own 3D models (e.g., polygonal model from point cloud) to a popular cross-platform game engine, Unity3D; (2) integrating a prefabricated geology toolkit package with the participants’ models; and (3) building interactive 3D virtual field experiences to share with research collaborators and students through common web browsers. This course is intended for researchers and educators who are looking for novel ways to interact with 3D models and are interested in broadening access to field geology by accelerating the generation of virtual field experiences. No specific skills in coding or knowledge of video games are required; however, a basic understanding of 3D models through using Metashape, Pix4D, CloudCompare, Sketchfab, and/or CAD software will be useful. We can provide a basic geology-related 3D model to participants upon request.
Friday, 6 October 2023
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
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