What is the AR Sandbox?
The UWF Augmented Reality Sandbox was funded by a UWF ITEP Grant to the GeoData Center.
The Augmented Reality Sandbox was originally a project by UC Davis' W.M. Keck Center for Active Visualization in the Earth Sciences (KeckCAVES). Together with the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center, Lawrence Hall of Science, and ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center the project started as a research grant to improve informal science education for freshwater lake and watershed science. This project soon rendered a real-time augmented reality system as an unintended by-product.
The resulting AR “sandbox” allows users to physically play with sand and create topography models while they learn earth science concepts. This real sandbox uses a Microsoft Kinect 3D camera, powerful simulation and visualization software, and a data projector that allows users to create topography models by shaping real sand, which
is then augmented in real-time by an elevation color map, topographic contour lines, and simulated water.
Where is the AR Sandbox Located?
The AR Sandbox is housed in the GIS Lab (Bldg 13 Rm 311) and is available for use in class and lab. Advanced notice is required if the Sandbox needs to be moved to another location to allow time for disassembly, transport, and reassembly.
How does the AR Sandbox work?
The AR Sandbox is made up of a sand table, a Kinect 3D camera, a dedicated laptop, and a projector.
The Kinect captures the shape of the sand in real time and sends that information to the computer, where the information is fed into the open source software to produce contour lines and a color gradient matching the shape of the sand and displaying it on the screen. The screen display is then sent to the projector to display on the sand, providing a real time contour and elevation map of the sand that changes dynamically with the sand.
Students can make 'rain' by holding an open hand over the sandbox.
Using the Sandbox
The Sandbox is available for use for any class. Please check with the GIS Lab Manager, Unknown User (dkrolikowski), to arrange a time to use the GIS Lab or have the sandbox moved to another location.
If the Sandbox needs to be moved, the projector, Kinect, and metal arm must all be removed. The Sandbox will not fit through any doorway otherwise. If the Sandbox will be loaded into a vehicle, the sand should also be removed.
If the Sandbox has been moved, or sand added or removed, it needs to be recalibrated. Deidra will typically be the one to take care of this, however, if she is not available, follow the calibration instructions on the System 76 website, starting at 2 Calibrate Kinect. If the Sandbox is being calibrated outdoors, the calibration is very sensitive to sunlight and the sandbox unit will need to be covered to ensure successful calibration. You must use the Alt key in addition to any number buttons described in the instructions. The calibration will only proceed if the calibration disk is detected and displayed as green. If it is yellow, something isn't right yet.
To start the sandbox, plug in all power cords and turn on the projector. The projector will need to be plugged into the laptop to the HDMI port. The Kinect may be plugged into any USB port. If you recieve an error message and the Sandbox program fails to launch, change the port the Kinect is plugged into.
Once everything is on and plugged in, open the document titled Launch Codes that is on the desktop. Copy the line of code there.
Open the Terminal from the icon bar on the left side and paste (using right-click instead of keyboard shortcuts). Hit enter and the Sandbox program should launch. Maximize the window using F11. To end the session, close all windows.
If you receive an error message, contact the GIS Lab Manager.