ABOUT

MISSION

The research group at the SIVA Lab led by Dr. Bimal Balakrishnan seek to advance our theoretical understanding of emerging advanced visualization and simulation technologies. They draw ideas, theories and methodologies from architecture and design, human-computer interaction, and media psychology. We use this knowledge and our extensive creative design skills to develop advanced 3D visualizations and simulations to tackle applied problems cutting across disciplinary boundaries.

 

TECHNOLOGY CAPABILITIES

The SIVA Lab is currently relocating to Giles Hall until the new facilities for the College of Architecture, Art and Design are completed in Howell Hall. The lab team has started the process of acquiring state-of-the-art advanced visualization and simulation software, an extensive collection of VR and AR displays, as well as usability and performance assessment tools. 

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Software Resources

Collection of visualization and simulation authoring tools will include a variety of CAD (AutoCAD, Rhino etc.), modeling & animation (Blender, Mudbox, 3D Studio Max, Maya, MotionBuilder, Houdini), Building Information Modeling (Revit) and matchmoving, game development platforms (Unreal Engine), and virtual and augmented reality authoring tools. The lab also has six high-end graphics workstations to support these software tools to develop high-quality, photorealistic renderings and virtual reality simulations.

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Hardware Resources

These include stereoscopic 3D visualization using large screen display (approx. 16 ft x 6 ft), virtual reality (VR) Head-Mounted Displays (HTC Vive, Oculus Quest), augmented reality (AR) headsets (Varjo XR3), full-body motion capture and tracking (Rokoko) as well as measurement tools for human-computer interaction (LogSquare, INTERACT), and eye-tracking technology compatible with VR. The lab also has a 360-degree 3D camera (Vuze+) for capturing immersive 360-degree video in 3D.