A Spatially Augmented Reality Sketching Interface for Architectural Daylighting Design

Abstract

Abstract-We present an application of interactive global illumination and spatially augmented reality to architectural daylight modeling that allows designers to explore alternative designs and new technologies for improving the sustainability of their buildings. Images of a model in the real world, captured by a camera above the scene, are processed to construct a virtual 3D model. To achieve interactive rendering rates, we use a hybrid rendering technique, leveraging radiosity to simulate the inter-reflectance between diffuse patches and shadow volumes to generate per-pixel direct illumination. The rendered images are then projected on the real model by four calibrated projectors to help users study the daylighting illumination. The virtual heliodon is a physical design environment in which multiple designers, a designer and a client, or a teacher and students can gather to experience animated visualizations of the natural illumination within a proposed design by controlling the time of day, season, and climate. Furthermore, participants may interactively redesign the geometry and materials of the space by manipulating physical design elements and see the updated lighting simulation.

Physical Avatars in a Projector-Camera Tangible User Interface Enhance Quantitative Simulation Analysis and Engagement

“…This work was extended in Shader Lamps [16]. Similarly to Raskar et al [16], Sheng et al [17,18], and Yapo et al [21], our system projects information on neutrally colored physical primitives to create a detailed rendering of a simulated space. Our physical primitives and rendering options provide unique extensions to their work.…”

“…We need to preserve the temporal axis for the time-lapse daily variation animation that is an important feature to visualize the dynamic lighting over the course of a day described in Sheng et al [17,18].…”

“…We have developed a Tangible User Interface for visualization of customized architectural daylighting simulations [17,18]. The user physically constructs a small scale architectural model with physical walls primitives shown in Figure 1, adding tokens to mark windows, specify surface materials, and indicate the surrounding environment (north orientation).…”

Competitive Intelligence Analysis of Augmented Reality Technology Using Patent Information

“…In particular, augmented reality can be used effectively in engineering projects, testing new ideas and eliminating those which cannot work properly in specific environments. In architecture, augmented reality is receiving attraction as a contemporary way of thinking about both environmental sustainability and architecture [32], and integration of building information modeling and augmented reality for architectural visualization allows designers to explore alternative designs and technologies [33] and owners and property sellers to gain interactive experiences [34]. Some augmented reality applications are also finding their way into the supply chain management [35]; for example, SAP's warehouse operation system adopted smart glasses to provide real-time data about products and materials.…”

State of the art in lighting simulation for building science: a literature review

“…Their aim is to accomplish a goal-based design process (Lee et al 2009).  A virtual heliodon was proposed by Sheng et al (2009) as a "sketcher" that corrects intensity with altitude, thus behaving similar to a real sun. In this way, realistic illuminance predictions were obtained.…”