Physical SimVillage

Physical SimVillage is a study about applying Tangible User Interface and 3D game to help establish mutual understanding in architectural design projects between people who have differing levels of knowledge. This project would also allow people to interact with the design of their own habitat more efficiently.

There are two interaction parts in this project i.e. physical + virtual and cyberspace. The physical part consists of a table with architectural wooden models on it and a view of 3-D environment projected on the table from above. The models are basically the same shape as the buildings in the view projected down.

Besides, players can see the position of the avatars of other players, who play from the perspective view, from the table as well.
When users move the model on the map table, the layout of the 3D image from the top view on the table will follow the movement of the models and reposition itself accordingly to the position of the wood models. And the model in the cyberspace would be moved following the real model on the table. Hence, the players in cyberspace, who are able to walk (virtually) inside the environment, will see his/her environment suddenly changes because a new environment has been created for him/her to experience.

By Saranont Limpananont.