Courtesy of BlueplanetVR
Interview
August 8, 2020
Blueplanet VR: discovering unique world locations
BluePlanet VR uses RealityScan to create photogrammetric experiences of unique and powerful scenic and cultural heritage locations worldwide. Walk around Borobudur Temple in Indonesia, admire the majestic Bears Ears National Monument, or have gliding flight experiences over spectacular terrains. You can check out BluePlanet VR on Steam, and also see demos on Vimeo.
To learn more about this project, we spoke to Eric Hanson, Founder and Lead Developer at Blueplanet VR. Eric was formerly a visual effects designer in Hollywood, creating fictitious worlds for films like The Fifth Element and The Day After Tomorrow.
How did you come up with the idea for this inspiring project?
I was a partner in xRez Studio prior to Blueplanet VR, and we utilized photogrammetry early on and extensively for a variety of natural history film and fulldome productions we produced. I acquired and captured many locations from our travels on set and informally, so the library was built up over several years. However, the idea for this title came to me from a VR fever dream I had one night, as I saw myself looking up inside a massively large human eye, witnessing the beauty of the light rays and image formation on the retina. This became the central selector scene from which you launch all the locations.
To learn more about this project, we spoke to Eric Hanson, Founder and Lead Developer at Blueplanet VR. Eric was formerly a visual effects designer in Hollywood, creating fictitious worlds for films like The Fifth Element and The Day After Tomorrow.
How did you come up with the idea for this inspiring project?
I was a partner in xRez Studio prior to Blueplanet VR, and we utilized photogrammetry early on and extensively for a variety of natural history film and fulldome productions we produced. I acquired and captured many locations from our travels on set and informally, so the library was built up over several years. However, the idea for this title came to me from a VR fever dream I had one night, as I saw myself looking up inside a massively large human eye, witnessing the beauty of the light rays and image formation on the retina. This became the central selector scene from which you launch all the locations.
Courtesy of BlueplanetVR
After building out that scene, I set out to make it a commercial title, and spent two years intensively capturing many more specific locations I knew of which would make for stunning VR experiences. Each location has a story from my travels, but the more important story is why that particular environment is unique and powerful. There is some contextual text for each location, but the intent was to make the viewing less educational and didactic, and toward something more experiential and impactful, letting the landscapes speak for themselves and the viewer make discoveries and gain insight.
How exactly did you utilize RealityScan in this project?
I had used most photogrammetry packages over the years, but the advent of RealityScan was the first I felt I could do meaningful work with, due to it's texturing quality being very faithful to the original photography, the latitude of control offered, and of course the speed of processing. Due to the large number of 56 scenes in the title, speed of post-production was critical. Also, the ability to tightly optimize and implement the content into a real-time engine was essential.
How exactly did you utilize RealityScan in this project?
I had used most photogrammetry packages over the years, but the advent of RealityScan was the first I felt I could do meaningful work with, due to it's texturing quality being very faithful to the original photography, the latitude of control offered, and of course the speed of processing. Due to the large number of 56 scenes in the title, speed of post-production was critical. Also, the ability to tightly optimize and implement the content into a real-time engine was essential.
Courtesy of BlueplanetVR
Which other software did you use afterwards to finish up the scenes as we see it in VR?
My pipeline begins with raw conversion in Adobe, then into RealityScan, then into Maya for scene setup, VR preview, and cleaning, and finally into game development software for real-time VR authoring and user interaction. Meshmixer and SNS-Pro have also proven useful as well for certain tasks.
Which equipment did you use for photogrammetry?
I have designed a number of custom rigs based on arrays of Sony a7Riii and IVs, some designed uniquely for specific jobs, but others useful for generalized capture. Arrays of cameras are used to decrease capture time, as racing sunlight outdoors or shooting on set in interiors is always a challenge. I always rely on configurations of Nodal Ninja poles and pano rigs for many of the tasks. I generally stick to Zeiss Batis 25mm for my lensing. I also utilize drones to some extent for the regional context of the site.
My pipeline begins with raw conversion in Adobe, then into RealityScan, then into Maya for scene setup, VR preview, and cleaning, and finally into game development software for real-time VR authoring and user interaction. Meshmixer and SNS-Pro have also proven useful as well for certain tasks.
Which equipment did you use for photogrammetry?
I have designed a number of custom rigs based on arrays of Sony a7Riii and IVs, some designed uniquely for specific jobs, but others useful for generalized capture. Arrays of cameras are used to decrease capture time, as racing sunlight outdoors or shooting on set in interiors is always a challenge. I always rely on configurations of Nodal Ninja poles and pano rigs for many of the tasks. I generally stick to Zeiss Batis 25mm for my lensing. I also utilize drones to some extent for the regional context of the site.
Courtesy of BlueplanetVR
The flying scenes are a unique approach in VR. Can you tell us little more about their production?
Those were sourced from chartered flights shooting from fixed-wing or helicopters, which affords a more directed capture and higher resolution than a common drone. I often fly with one or two other photographers, and we increase our coverage and speed that way. I was at a bit of a loss as to how to utilize these models however, until my fellow VR developer and good friend Kevin Mack came up with a great thrust controller, which is central to the flight control.
Those were sourced from chartered flights shooting from fixed-wing or helicopters, which affords a more directed capture and higher resolution than a common drone. I often fly with one or two other photographers, and we increase our coverage and speed that way. I was at a bit of a loss as to how to utilize these models however, until my fellow VR developer and good friend Kevin Mack came up with a great thrust controller, which is central to the flight control.
Courtesy of BlueplanetVR
I have a long prior history in my life of flying hang gliders across the western US, so it allowed me to convey the slower speed and grace that hang gliding flight offers. I know many users will want faster travel, but the point is to absorb and relate to the landscapes more intimately, as hang gliding does.
What is your favorite scene from the 40 locations mentioned, and why?
There are three special locations of Ancestral Puebloan Native American archaeological sites that I have been shooting over the years with a foundation called the Onward Project here in Santa Monica, CA. We were guests of the Navajo Nation and families and have been retracing a famed expedition from the 1930's to document these ancient sites.
I have been fortunate to capture these and let viewers feel present at these very highly protected and rare locations situated high up on remote, spectacular cliff walls. It speaks to the power of VR in allowing one to feel strong presence at an otherwise prohibitive, sensitive, or inaccessible site.
What is your favorite scene from the 40 locations mentioned, and why?
There are three special locations of Ancestral Puebloan Native American archaeological sites that I have been shooting over the years with a foundation called the Onward Project here in Santa Monica, CA. We were guests of the Navajo Nation and families and have been retracing a famed expedition from the 1930's to document these ancient sites.
I have been fortunate to capture these and let viewers feel present at these very highly protected and rare locations situated high up on remote, spectacular cliff walls. It speaks to the power of VR in allowing one to feel strong presence at an otherwise prohibitive, sensitive, or inaccessible site.
Courtesy of BlueplanetVR
What does the future hold for Blueplanet VR?
Many plans are in store. I hope that this title will help to build an audience for this type of VR experience, as I will be following up with several projects now in process that are very exciting. This is such an amazing time to develop immersive media, as the confluence of the technology is unprecedented.
HMD, GPU, UAV, and camera resolution tech all have coalesced to offer an amazing set of tools to capture and communicate the natural world. I'm more interested in showing off the remarkable worlds that exist right in front of us, along with the hope to show the fragility and need for protecting them as well.
Concern for the environment often comes from having direct experiences, and I believe VR can play a role in providing that to the general public to raise awareness.
Many plans are in store. I hope that this title will help to build an audience for this type of VR experience, as I will be following up with several projects now in process that are very exciting. This is such an amazing time to develop immersive media, as the confluence of the technology is unprecedented.
HMD, GPU, UAV, and camera resolution tech all have coalesced to offer an amazing set of tools to capture and communicate the natural world. I'm more interested in showing off the remarkable worlds that exist right in front of us, along with the hope to show the fragility and need for protecting them as well.
Concern for the environment often comes from having direct experiences, and I believe VR can play a role in providing that to the general public to raise awareness.
Download RealityScan
RealityScan is free to use for students, educators, and individuals and companies with an annual gross revenue below $1 million USD.Above the $1M threshold? Visit our licensing page to find out about your purchasing options.
Download the launcher
Before you can install and run RealityScan, you’ll need to download and install the Epic Games launcher.
Install Epic Games Launcher
Once downloaded and installed, open the launcher and create or log in to your Epic Games account.
Having trouble? Get support, or restart your Epic Games launcher download in Step 1.
Install RealityScan
Once logged in, navigate to the RealityScan tab in the Unreal Engine section and click the install button to download the most recent version.