As development on the SaDVR (Strike and Dip Virtual Reality) Tool continues I have added a few new prototype features to the project. In this post I will cover details about what these new features are, how these new features work, and why I have added them to the project.

New Feature Demo Video

This video is a demo of some of the new features I’ve added to the SaDVR (Strike and Dip Virtual Reality) Tool Project.

New Features Added

The new features which have been added to the project are:

  • Leveler Tools
  • Duplicate SaD Arrow Sets
  • Stationary SaD Arrow Sets
  • Scaffold Platforms
  • Level Select Menu

Each of these new features will be covered in more detail in their corresponding section below.

 

 

Leveler Tools

The first new feature I’ve added to the SaDVR Tool is a set of Leveler Tools. These two tools mimic the functionality of a real world tool sometimes called a spirit level, a bubble level, or simply a level. I created two variations on this tool for the SaDVR Tool, one in the form of a self leveling sphere, and the second in the form of a sphere contained inside of a cylinder.

The images below display a version of the self leveling sphere Leveler Tool attached to the SaDVR compass tool. As the compass is moved and rotated, the leveler sphere remains pointing upward. This tool has been added in order to help the user more accurately orient the compass flat when taking strike and dip measurements.

 

The second variation on this tool in the cylinder leveler. This version contains a central sphere that slides along the inside of a cylinder and always moves to the highest point within the cylinder. The functionality of the cylinder leveler is displayed in the image below.

 

 

Duplicate SaD Arrow Sets

The next new feature added to the project is the Duplicate SaD Arrow Sets. This functionality allows the user to make copies of existing strike and dip arrow measurement sets placed around the scene. The primary benefit of these copies is that they always retain the same arrow strike and dip arrow directions as the parent set they are copied from. This allows the user to move the duplicate copies around the scene without any risk of altering or skewing the data they display. Using these duplicate copies, the user can easily compare strike and dip measurement sets from different parts of the scene. They can also move the arrow sets away from the outcrops so as to take strike and dip measurements themselves using the compass tool without the outcrop potentially hindering their viewpoint.

The image below displays a Duplicate SaD Arrow Set being made from a Stationary SaD Arrow Set.

 

 

Stationary SaD Arrow Sets

Stationary SaD Arrow Sets are sets of strike and dip arrows which can be placed around the scene as markers for where the user should take practice strike and dip measurements. Unlike the other SaD Arrow Sets, the stationary arrow sets cannot be grabbed or moved by the user while the program is running. These stationary sets automatically save the strike and dip measurements related to their orientation and placement. Although the user cannot move these stationary arrow sets, they can make duplicate copies of these arrows to take measurements off of with the compass.

These stationary arrow sets have two variations, one which displays it’s corresponding strike and dip data, and one that has it’s strike and dip data hidden. The sets which display their data can be a useful practice tool for the user. When the user takes strike and dip measurements of the displayed data stationary arrows using the compass, the user can immediately check their compass measurements against the displayed data of the stationary set. The hidden data stationary sets can be used to set up quiz or test style scenarios where the user must find the correct strike and dip measurements using only the compass tool.

The image below shows a copy of a Stationary SaD Arrow Set on the left with it’s data displayed. The right side of this image shows a Stationary SaD Arrow Set with it’s data hidden.

 

 

Scaffold Platforms

The next new feature I added to the project is the place-able Scaffold Platforms. This function allows the user to place a square Scaffold Platform at their feet at any time by accessing the in game menu and pressing the “New Scaffold Platform” button. Since the user can teleport anywhere on the surface of the outcrop and landscape models in the SaDVR Tool Project, and since some of the outcrop faces the user may want to measure may be high up in the air, I thought the ability to place some stable ground at the users feet might be helpful. Many users find it disorienting or downright frightening to look down and visually see that they appear to be floating in mid air with nothing between their feet and a large drop to the ground. To counter this discomfort and to bring some comfort to the user, I added these Scaffold Platforms. These platforms also make it easier for the user to reposition themselves when standing high in the air, as the user can teleport anywhere on the surface of these platforms. The user can also drop as many of these platforms as they would like, allowing them to potentially build a scaffold around a high area that they would like to take strike and dip measurements from. When the user us finished using the platforms they can delete the platforms in the scene with the click of a menu button.

The images below display the users viewpoint before and after placing a Scaffold Platform at their feet while standing next to a large drop near the top of an outcrop model. The left image is what the user sees before placing a Scaffold Platform. The right image is their view after the platform has been placed.

 

 

 

 

 

Level Select Menu

The last new feature I will be covering today is the new Level Select Menu feature. This feature allows the user to load a variety of different scenes of various environments within the project. This feature can be accessed through a newly added sub menu attached to the in game menu. This Level Select Menu displays a collection of buttons displaying the name and a small picture of the scene it is associated with.  When clicked, these buttons will load the user into the newly selected scene.

The image below displays the Level Select Menu.