Today, I watched the fusion tutorial as it was assigned. Following the tutorial step by step, I succeeded in building a Fusion model of an Arduino enclosure. I also learnt how to build in fusion more efficiently, such as using the hide/show botton or using the extrusion tool. I also learnt how to pan and rotate the camera in the Fusion program. Finally, also made use of the shelling command, which was new to me. During the process of building this enclosure, I did run into several problems. For instance, I struggled to find some commands or failed to execute them correctly. Moreover, while finding a model of the arduino online was no challenge, I also had a hard time to try to paste the model into my project. Fortunately, I was able to complete it in time. In the next course, we are moving to the new nuvu building

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. 

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.

This week, we managed to achieve the finishing touches and to complete our project. For instance, we successfully completed the improved version of the holographic projector. This change was necessary because the previous model had several flaws, including the fact that it could not project a 3 dimensional object upright. Instead, it projected the image in an oblique view. Hence, we decided to build a new one with new dimensions including a smaller base and a shorter height. This new version of the projector proved to be more effective at projecting images into a holographic state and the quality of the hologram was superior when using this new projector. However, there were some drawbacks that emerged with the building of this projector. For instance, it was wider than the previous projector and it was somewhat aesthetically worse than the last one as it could not stand entirely upright. Through our efforts , however, we were able to solve these issues and move on to our next objective. 

The next phase in the completion of our project was the assembly of a cover box for the projector. As the holographic projector functioned much like a normal projector, it would require a relatively dark environment. As a result, in order to solve this problem, we decided to build a container to our projector in order to offer greater degrees of darkness for a better performance of the hologram. Using Rhinos and the laser cutter, we were able to quickly cut out and assemble a cardboard container that could fit the iPad and the projector. It also had several removable panels that could be taken away in order to offer the viewer with a 360 degree view of the hologram or to be put back on if the brightness was too high for the hologram to work properly. Due to the relatively simple nature of the container, we did not encounter major issues during the assembly of the container. With the last element of our project completed, it is safe to say that we have successfully completed our project in time.