TRIUMF labs
An experimental media project to create 3D visualizations of spaces at TRIUMF labs using LiDAR scanning technology
As a student fellow at ISM Arts and Culture, I got the opportunity to work on creating 3D Visualizations of TRIUMF lab’s newest facilities. The project aims to explore how LiDAR scanning technology could produce virtual spaces, 3D models, and fly-through animations. This would expand the possibilities of accessing previously inaccessible areas of the lab virtually and give a unique look into the space.
Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) has been used widely to produce accurate visualizations of an environment to extract measurement data. Its application in the new media industry for purely visual or photorealistic renders is relatively unexplored. This data is accessed commonly as point clouds in a 3D virtual space. This data needed to be processed, colourized and transformed into more recognizable formats so that we could explore the best ways to present the space virtually.
As an Industrial Designer, I was able to bring the knowledge and experience of working in 3D environments, CAD software, and visual renderings to the project.
As a proof of concept for the technology, we started by scanning ARIEL (Advanced Rare Isotope Laboratory). The quality, position and the number of scans needed were determined to optimize the amount of data extracted while making sure we achieve a desirable visual quality of the renders. The 2.5 Billion points captured were processed and registered in Faro SCENE and exported to Navisworks for further clean-up.
Reflective or transparent surfaces that are difficult to scan, such as windows and floors, were replaced with CAD geometry rendered to blend in best with the point cloud-style visuals. After playing around with multiple fidelities of the data, I rendered clips of fly-through animations of the space. By compositing a higher fidelity, photorealistic look with lower fidelity “data” look, we created the first video providing a unique glimpse into this space.
