Software most significant features:
KinectSandbox
The system teaches geographic, geologic, and hydro-logic concepts such as how to read a topography map, the meaning of contour lines, watersheds, catchment areas, levees and more.
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KinectSandbox
KinectSandbox is a software that brings Augmented Reality Sandbox idea to use the most recent technology, expand the possibilities and introduce new and exciting scenarios.
Our program is written from scratch in Unity 3D programming environment.
We own 100% of the source code.
This software is nothing like you have seen before.
- Responsive
- The most accurate
- Resolution up to 4K
- Optional modules and Games
- Water Simulation based on St. Venant equations
KinectSandbox
The most advanced Augmented Reality Sandbox Software
History
The interactive sandbox idea was initiated by a team of scientists at The University of California-Davis ( https://arsandbox.ucdavis.edu/ ). They developed a Linux-based software with limitations of their time and technology. The software was made open-source and is used by majority of AR-Sandbox manufacturers to this day.
Hypsometric paper map
Specific type of general geographic map. It shows the Earth’s surface, including the relief (lowlands, highlands, mountains). Colours are applied to emphasize the height differences; they are separated with contour lines – isohypses. The contour lines connect points with the same absolute height. It is customary to mark lowlands with shades of green, highlands in yellow and orange, whereas mountains are marked in red and brown or white.
Interactive map with our software
Application allows users to create topography models by shaping actual, physical sand, which is then augmented in real time by an elevation color map, topographic contour lines and simulated water. Water simulation is based on St. Venant equations (shallow water equations).
How to use it?
Move your hand over sand, build mountains, dig valleys, or even lakes and rivers. Observe how colours change along with the change of height. In order to cause precipitation, press the button and raise your hand above the sandbox. See how the water behaves depending on the terrain's shape.
- fast refreshing: any changes applied to the sand are almost immediately projected by colour change; this makes the simulation look realistic and appealing;
- height filter: we set a given height, above which any objects seen by the sensor are automatically cut out; it allows the projection to run smoothly, even when there are lots of interested onlookers peeking in, possibly interfering with the sensor’s range; the set height can be adjusted by user;
- terrain level adjustment: the original colour-to-height assignment can be changed easily, so for instance, having too much or too little sand in the box, you can still enjoy full colour spectrum;
- different projection modes: you can now choose between the sharp contour line mode, splitting the sand into various isosurfaces, more realistic mode without the lines, or go even further for the natural looking option of smooth transitions between colours;
- colour palettes: use the primary colour scheme, or make up your own one; the number and range of colours is limited by your imagination only;
- smooth waterflow: just wave your hand gently above the sand surface and observe water droplets falling at the hills and valleys, merging into a stream and finding its way to the lowest region; frame rate can be increased up to 60FPS;
- hand filter: as long as your hands are in contact with the sand, the water flow is not activated; also, this feature minimizes hand traces, remaining after playing with the sand;
- easy water reset: press the button or tap the touchscreen to make the water sink into the ground and make way for new rainfall; a 10s buffer is applied before water flows again; also, this feature can be easily switched off and on again;
- image darkening (Large version only): the Sandbox Large version is equipped with an additional button that darkens the projection area when held down;
Software Settings
From the available options, some are meant to be accessed by the user (visitor), while other are meant for the owner/host.
User available settings:
These depend on the hardware version You own.
With button:
Single button push clears water from the area – water sinks into the ground and disappears.
Pushing button for 5 seconds turns on/off water simulation – deactivates water flow, but does not clear it.
With touchscreen:
- water on/off – deactivates water simulation, but not resets it
- clear water – all water sinks into the ground and disappears
- isolines on/off – switches between map-like and more aerial looking view
- colour blending on/off – introduces blends between levels, making simulation look even more natural
- change colour palette – choose from a number of pre-programmed colour schemes
- change projected terrain level – real-time changing the range of projection
- export file – saves the current shape of the sand to a .fbx file*
- map/game menu – choosing screen for additional modules*
*some parameters correspond to module setting and it’s not active if module is not licensed
Host available settings:
By default these options are accessed with a Keyboard/Numeric Keypad. However, some of them are also available on the Touchscreen.
Basic:
- water on/off
- drain water
- isolines on/off
- colour blending on/off
- change colour palette
- change projected terrain level
- change predefined preset
- apply overlay image – example country border
- export file*
- switch between map/game mode*
*some parameters correspond to module setting and it’s not active if module is not licensed
Expert settings:
- Preset settings are stored in “KinectSandbox_Data\StreamingAssets\Settings” folder. Settings_0.json – settings_9.json files correspond to button presets 0-9.
- In Touchscreen version there is only one setting file.
- All parameters changed while software is running (‘Keys to control’ description) are saved to the settings file after exit – shortcut ALT+F4.
- Parameter list:
- “GameMode”:true, – AR-BALL Game ON/OFF Value: true/false*
- “TargetFPS”:15, – FPS; recommended value: 30 Value: 5-50
- “RefreshRate”:4, – changes how fast the app responds to changes in sand; recommended value: 1 Value :0-4
- “TerrainBottomLevel”:-50.800106048583987, – changes the projected bottom level of the map; Keys to control W,S
- “TerrainTopLevel”:-39.100181579589847, – changes the projected top level of the map; Keys to control Q,A
“TerrainBottomLevel” value has to be lower than “TerrainTopLevel” – the number is higher, since the values are negative.
- “TerrainMinLevel”:-80.0 (only applies to the touchscreen height option) – changes the projected bottom level of the map;
- “TerrainMaxLevel”:-10.0 (only applies to the touchscreen height option) – changes the projected top level of the map;
- “Walls”:{“Right”:450,”Left”:127,”Top”:288,”Bottom”:122}, – sandbox projected dimensions; Keys to control: T,Y – left border, G,H – right border, U,J – upper border, I,K – lower border;
- “WaterDropOffset”:10 – distance (in mm) above the top level (“SandboxTopLevel”) of the sandbox, required to activate the waterflow; recommended value: 200 Value: 0-300
- “SandboxTopLevel”:895,– distance from the sensor (in mm), treated as the top level of the physical sandbox; anything closer to the sensor is cut out; Keys to control Z,X
- “SandboxBottomLevel”:1155, – distance from the sensor (in mm), treated as the bottom level of the physical sandbox; Keys to control C,V
- “ColourPalette”:0, – colour palette from folder: KinectSandbox_Data\StreamingAssets\Colors; numbers correspond to the actual order of files in the folder
- “TerrainSmoothColors”:false – smooth colour transitions ON/OFF Value: true/false
- “TerrainTopoLines”:true, – isohypses ON/OFF Value: true/false
- “SavingPath”:”D:/”} FBX. – export folder Value: USB/HDD Drive letters*
- “OverlayImage”:”test.png” – image projected on the map (has to be .png) from folder: KinectSandbox_Data\StreamingAssets\Overlayimages;
- “MainScreenResolution”:{“Width”:0,”Height”:0} – sets projection resolution other than default (default is 1920×1080); Value Width: 0-1920, Height: 0-1200
*some parameters correspond to module setting and it’s not active if module is not licensed
Allways make a backup! Change settings responsibly.
