(3B) Discovery and Wonder

The Illuminati Box of Wonder Portfolio

Garrison Bogdahn

This week, we focused on the finishing details of our project. For instance, we worked to improve our project description paragraph by shortening it and by correcting the writing mistakes we made. We also managed to implement the final feature of our project. Despite the fact that we had been unable to make it work the week before, we eventually found a solution to the problem. In addition, we also worked on the poster for our project. First and foremost, we had to gather the pictures of the various stages of our project that we took before. We also had to make a use diagram, which was a diagram that serves as a visual representation of how our project works. Furthermore, we also had to take a picture of the final iteration of our project. Then, we had to choose one of the 4 poster templates available to us and fit everything inside. Once everything was done, we had to export it into a PDF file and send it using the All Saints Academy email to our coaches. During this week's work, we did not run into large problems, though we have encountered smaller ones. For instance, while we were taking the picture for our final iteration, the camera was temporarily out of order and we had to use our phones to take the photo. Next week, if we still have time, we would try to improve the holographic projector. 

This week, we mainly focused on improving and polishing on the features that were already implemented in our project. For instance we managed to finally glue the holographic projector with the new acrylic glue that was offered to us. Moreover, we succeeded in adding several smaller details, such as windows and doors on the map of the building. Other additions to the visuals would be the newly implemented roof and a better brick wall textue that we found on internet. We have also fixed certain issues with our Processing code and we have found a way to reduce its  length. This minor improvement allows us to modify or correct the code with much more ease than before. We also worked on the poster for our project and we are currently trying to improve it by shortening its length as well as refining the word choice for it. Despite the fact that we were able to achieve steady progress on our project this week, we did run into a larger problem. We had planned to add a special feature to our map, which consisted of adding a view of the inner layout of the house. The attempts to implement this feature onto our project were unsucessful and despite our best efforts, we were not able to fix it. Next week, we plan to work on fixing this problem and to further advance our project. We also hope that we would be able to complete it soon.

This week, we managed to make great progress on our holographic map that is now dedicated to represent buildings in 3 dimension as a hologram. First and foremost, we succeeded in arranging the shapes created in Processing into the arrangement we wanted. This new configuration of the shapes would allow us to utilize the holographic projector to turn it into a simulation of a hologram. Moreover, we also succeeded in connecting the Arduino and the potentiometer to the computer. The potentiometer would allow an user to have a certain control on the holographic map. We also added textures to the shapes that are generated via Processing. For instance, we were able to attach images of textures of walls and windows to Processing. Through the potentiometer and Arduino, we are also able to control how much of the mapped building is shown in the Hologram. Lastly, we were successful in mirroring the computer screen to my Ipad using Duet. Though we were able to accomplish these tasks, we did face several challenges over the course of our work on the project. For example, we sometimes had trouble finding the right coordinates for our shapes in Processing. Furthermore, we had to make extensive research on the web about the codes and scripts we wanted to include due to our inexperience with Processing. We also had some issues with the Arduino, as it could not be detected by the computer due to a lack of driver for it in the system. Thankfully, most of these issues were solved with relative ease. Next week, we plan to continue in improving our project and hopefully be done soon.

This week, we started to work with Processing in order to create a map that we can use for our project. After 1 week of tutorial watching, we  were finally able to start our work on the map itself. We decided to start with the programming part of our project because there was a lack of materials such as acrylic glass and it was a much more difficult task to deal with the programming part than it is to put together the holographic device. During this process of computer programming, we first downloaded all of the components necessary for the Unfolding map. Then, we had to import the files to specific folder within the program in order to make it work and we had to create programming codes for certain functionalities of the map. During the periods of programming our map in the Processing program, we did run into several issues. For instance, we could not obtain an updated version of the files that would be used to create our map. We had to manually download all of the files and export it to the file within the program. Furthermore, we were also short on materials such as acrylic and we had to order it online. Despite these difficulties, we were able to overcome these problems and to complete a first prototype of our map. Next week, we plan to improve our map and implement more features in it. If the materials arrives, we would also proceed to build our holographic device as well. Overall, I believe that everything is going according to plan.

(2/07/2017) Blog 1: Holographic map debut

Zongxi Huang

Today, we worked on brainstorming ideas about our project on the holographic map. We found that by using glass prisms, we could simulate the appearance of a hologram. This map would allow people see a map through a holographic experience. During this period, we built a cardboard mockup of the prism. It is a trapezoidal prism made of several cardboard pieces glued together with hot glue. We also have an idea about a magnifying glass that would serve as a zoom on the map and we even had an idea about a map that would open up when you zoom in, much like the mechanical flower.

(2/24/2017) Blog 3: Processing tutorial

Zongxi Huang

This week, we watched the Processing computer programming tutorial and we came up with ways to use this program in our project which was meant to create an immersive experience for maps and to allow more interaction between the people and holographic map. During the two period we had this week, we tried to come up with a solution to the design challenges we faced. Initially, we had decided to start building the holographic device, but after much consideration, we decided instead to choose a program we will use for our project and learn how to use it first. We changed our mind about the building process because the device was only a matter of building it, as it has already been tested and used in recent times. Moreover, finding the right program to implement it in our project was far more important and pressing than the construction of the hologram device. Hence, we decided to give more priority to the former. There were several choice that were presented to us and we decided to use the Hello Processing program for our project. We spent 1 period to watch all of the tutorials introducing the program and I took some notes about some information that I found more important than others. During this week of information gathering and learning, I did run into some issues. For instance, I was puzzled by the method I should use to create an holographic picture for our device. Next week, we are going to hopefully start the programming and we hope we will be able to find a solution to the issue of splitting the image into 4 parts

Slide Presentation

Chase Leland

Portfolio: Holographic mapping

Zongxi Huang

Wormhole

Fengyuan Bi

The wormhole is a hypothetical connection between widely separated regions of space-time. As hardly anyone has seen an actual wormhole, and everyone may have different thoughts as to what a wormhole may look like, we decided to make a simulation creating the experience of looking into a wormhole. One visual aspect of a wormhole is that it is shaped like a tunnel with two ends, each at separate points in spacetime. We produced our simulation by creating a water vortex. To do this, we used the laser cutter to cut a box out of acrylic with tree sides, and we used the 3D printer to print a curve out of plastic to complete the water thank We also used a magnetic stirrer which has enough RPM on the bottom of the tank to create a vortex to simulate when spacetime is “curved” by the black hole, and we used a mirror to reflect this in order to get another”water vortex”, which is the other side of the “wormhole”. We spent an extensive amount of  time perfecting the template, making sure the final product would fit perfectly. After solving all of the electronic problems with the magnetic stirrer, the final project is truly a great example of how a wormhole would work and what it would loo like .We believe this simulation is the best way to show people the understanding of the shape of wormholes, how spacetime is “curved”, and how two far distant places can be shortened by a “tunnel”.