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Harkness Screens for Theatre of Pompey Recreation
The group works with archaeologists to faithfully reconstruct ancient and lost buildings and places, and draws on photographs and site plans to model more recent buildings. The 3D Visualisation Group produces animations and interactive models to illustrate diachronic changes, and relationships between models and archaeological evidence. Much of this content is utilised by the University of Warwick’s Theatron teaching module, an online application which synthesises a wide range of historical sources with interactive VRML spaces, rather than simply using text as an organising element.
The special effects surface - Spectral 240 3D - allows light from two identical projectors to polarise directionally in order to create the 3D image. One image polarising at 45° seen by the right eye, and the other image at polarising at 90° and seen by the left eye when viewed through polarised filter glasses. The screen retains the polarisation of light and so projects right and left eye views back to the correct eye.
The unique rear-projected panorama which is spread over three 8’ x 6’ Easi-Rects, helps the 3D team to simulate the huge 300’ stage of the Theatre of Pompey. Using two Gypsy Motion Capture suits, operating with MoCap 5 - scaled ‘performers’ can be projected live into Kaydara’s Filmbox. In turn, this projects the actors’ movements live onto screens within the virtual environment. This live feedback loop produces streamlined and enhanced motion-capture production.
The recent acquisition of the mixed reality equipment, which is totally portable, will enable the 3D team to pursue projects outside of the University. A number of commercial applications are under development, including training for theatre technicians and stage managers and the use of the equipment for multimedia performance. The equipment and expertise is also available for hire to commercial companies who may wish to utilise this resource in their own areas of interest, such as computer gaming, simulation, cultural heritage, digital art, etc.
A number of projects have already been undertaken by the 3D group, including architectural visualisations of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford upon Avon produced as part of the public consultation for the RSC’s redevelopment programme.
In picture: The Royal Shakespeare Theatre, modelled by the University of Warwick’s 3D Visualisation Group, rear-projected onto three portable Harkness Polacoat 8’ x 6’ Easi-Rect screens.
29th September 2004
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