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

(2/17/2017) Blog 2: Prototype building

Zongxi Huang

This week, we started and completed our research on the subject of holograms. Furthermore, we also made a mock-up of the holographic device used for our project. First and foremost, we decided to only use cardboard pieces to build our prototype because it was a cheap and simple way to do so. It was also created as a potential reference to the construction of our final iteration. To build this cardboard mock-up, we first cut out 4 triangular pieces. We then put them together with tape glued all four pieces with hot glue. Finally, a final square piece was attached to the tip of the pyramid. During our 2 days of prototype building, we did ran into some minor problems. For instance, it was a challenge to piece together all of the facades of the pyramid for assembly. It was also hard to glue the top of the device to the rest of it, for we had to hold it in the exact spot we had designated until the glue was cooled. In the end, however, we were successful in our attempt to build a prototype for our project. Next week, we plan to present the prototype and to try our holographic device in a much smaller scale first before attempting to build a larger version of it. We will also try to make a holographic picture suited for a holographic experience. 

This week, we received help from David for an overhaul of the main concept of our project as well as some planning of what to do ahead and we proceeded to build our first iteration. First and foremost, David gave us his assistance on exploring ideas that would improve and enhance our base idea for our holographic map. For instance, we were able to cast aside the holographic projection of a 2D map as it would still remain two dimensional. We were also able to find a new way to illustrate our holographic map. In this new concept, we decided to use an existing map attached to a flat surface as our map. Instead of seeing the map itself as a hologram, we would use the holographic projector to project parts of the city as holograms. In other words, the holographic device would show skyscrapers as well as shorter buildings as it is moved around the map. A mobile device would be used to recognize the exact location where the holographic projector is and would generate the 3D models for the projector. As a result, this new idea forced us to adapt to these new changes. Despite the positive changes, we were quite uncertain of the way of how our new iteration should be done; we are still puzzelled with how we should associate the phone camera to the projection of 3D models. We did not lose time to act, however, for we set out to build and complete our first holographic projector before the end of this week. Though we did encounter some technical issues while building it, such as the miscalculation of the dimensions of the projector or the complications with the laser cutter, we were successful in both finishing and testing the holographic device. Next week, we plan to build an improved version of the projector and we hope we can test its reliability to project holograms. We would also like to make progress in the programming part 

Holographic map first appealed to us as a solution to less exiting aspects of 2D maps. Though their usefulness cannot be argued, there is little interest to be found in those maps. Holograms, on the other hand, have a better time attracting the attention of the human eye. Moreover, they allow us to perceive it as a 3D representation of a particular place or setting.  As a result, we thought it would be a good idea to utilize this technology to base our map upon.

 At first, we found several ways of implementing holograms into our map project. Among all of them, we chose to use a pyramidal holographic projector. We also decided to use processing as the visual programming platform for our map. Finally, we chose to use an IPad mini as the display for our map. Lastly, we used an Arduino and a potentiometer for controlling the device.

The first step in creating this holographic experience involves the use of Processing, a programming platform that allows us to generate shapes and images through coding. While it is running, the program is connected to an Arduino which is, in turn, connected to a potentiometer. The potentiometer is used to allow a certain control on the holographic map, such as how much of the map is revealed. As the shapes and images are generated on the computer screen, it is mirrored to an iPad screen. Finally, a holographic projector is placed on the screen of the iPad in order to achieve the holographic experience. 

 

4/11/2017: Final Draft Project Description

Zongxi Huang

Despite the fact that conventional maps did offer useful information, they were less engaging to the human eye. While searching for a better alternative, holographic maps appealed to us as a solution to the less exciting aspects of 2D maps because they had the ability to give people different perspectives and had a better chance of attracting the attention of the human eye. At first, we found several ways of implementing holograms into our map project. Among the many options available, we chose to use a pyramidal holographic projector due to its simplicity. We also decided to use processing as the visual programming platform for our map and an IPad mini as the display for our map. Lastly, we used an Arduino and a potentiometer(switch) to control the map.

The first step in creating this holographic experience involves the use of Processing, a programming platform that allows us to generate shapes and images through coding. While it is running, the program is connected to an Arduino which is, in turn, connected to a potentiometer. The potentiometer is used to allow a certain control on the holographic map, such as how much of the map is revealed. As the shapes and images are generated on the computer screen, it is mirrored to an iPad screen. Finally, a holographic projector is placed on the screen of the iPad in order to achieve the holographic experience.