Introduction - Bringing predictive rendering to life with Ocean™.
This article explores the various immersive visualization techniques that can be used with our scientific rendering software, Ocean™, to bring predictive rendering to life.
We’ll see how you can take your predictive simulations to the next level of accuracy for a smooth decision-making process. To go into more detail than static images and benefit from a more complete visualization of the object’s optical behavior, animation is sometimes necessary to make informed decisions.
With virtual cameras, we can create presentations that allow for a deeper understanding of complex concepts. As seen in a previous article, techniques such as environment rotation can simulate dynamic lighting to enhance the realism of materials and create a more natural experience. Now we will discover how turntable animations provide a comprehensive view of a 3D object, allowing for precise examination from all angles. Multi-angle rotations take this a step further, showing the object from multiple perspectives for a richer understanding. Interactive object rotation allows viewers to explore the design at their own pace, while camera animation guides their attention and highlights key elements.
We will explore the functionality behind these techniques as well as their practical applications.
Showcasing and exploring complex designs with 360° turntable animation
In 3D visualization, a “turntable” refers to a method used to showcase a 3D model or scene by rotating it around a central axis, typically in a continuous loop. The idea is to provide viewers with a comprehensive view of the 3D object from various angles, allowing them to observe the details and geometry from all sides.
The 3D model or scene is rotated continuously around a fixed axis. This rotation can be slow or fast, depending on the desired effect and the purpose of the visualization.
The axis around which the 3D model rotates is usually vertical or horizontal, providing a consistent and controlled rotation. This axis can be positioned at the center of the object or at a specific point of interest.
The turntable animation is often designed to loop SMOOTHLY allowing the rotation to continue indefinitely. This looping feature is especially useful in presentations, demonstrations, or when showcasing a model on a website.
In some cases, turntables may also be combined with other animation techniques or features, such as zooming or panning, to create more dynamic and engaging presentations. They are a well-established and effective method in 3D visualization for displaying 3D models and scenes in a visually appealing and informative way.
360° rotation around the object
In the following case, we generate images from different viewpoints, taking into account the entire 3D scene. As a result, the camera moves around the object, allowing detailed observation of the optical behavior of the material as a function of variations in the environment, such as light, shadows, or reflections.
Figure 1: Camera turntable (camera moves around a centered viewpoint target). Simulations generated with Ocean™.
Figure 2: Camera turntable rotation in CAD software.
Figure 3: Animation setup properties for the camera turntable
360° rotation of the object
In the following case, the point of view remains fixed and the object rotates around its Z-axis. This method allows detailed observation of variations in the optical behavior of specific geometries or materials that are composing the object, under the same lighting and environmental conditions. They make it easier for viewers to understand the shape and features of a 3D model by presenting it in a clear and systematic way.
Figure 4: Object rotating around its Z-axis. Simulations generated with Ocean™.
Moving objects within Ocean™ is not possible directly through the Graphical User Interface (GUI), it is a more technical approach that requires some additional coding skills.
Engaging product visualizations with multi-angle rotations:
Multi-angle rotation in 3D visualization showcases a 3D object or scene from various perspectives by rotating it through different angles. It presents the object from multiple viewpoints, as opposed to a simple turntable animation that rotates the object around a fixed axis.
This approach provides a more comprehensive view, allowing viewers to observe the object’s details from different orientations. It takes into account several parameters such as: multiple rotation axes, and sequential viewpoints.
Instead of rotating around a single fixed axis, the object can be animated to rotate around multiple axes. This means the object is presented from different angles, offering a broader understanding of its structure and design.
The object is shown from various angles in sequence, with smooth transitions between rotations. This can be achieved through keyframe animation, where specific viewpoints are defined at different frames, and the animation system interpolates the movement between them.
- Dynamic Presentation: Multi-angle rotation is particularly useful for dynamic presentations, showcasing the versatility and features of a 3D object. It allows for a more in-depth exploration of the object’s design, surface details, and overall aesthetics.
- Interactive Control: In some applications, users may have control over the multi-angle rotation, enabling them to navigate through the various viewpoints at their own pace. This interactive feature enhances user engagement and provides a more personalized experience.
- Product Visualization: Designers and marketers often use multi-angle rotation in product visualization to highlight different aspects of a product. It helps present the object in a way that is visually appealing and informative.
- Design Reviews: In industries such as industrial design, architecture, or automotive design, multi-angle rotation can be a persuasive tool in design reviews. This allows stakeholders to evaluate the object’s design from different perspectives, aiding in decision-making and feedback.
Implementing multi-angle rotation requires animation tools and techniques within 3D modeling and rendering software that our team can provide. Engineers and designers can set up sequences of rotations, specifying different angles for each viewpoint.
Figure 5: Example of a multi-angle rotation interactive application. Simulations generated with Ocean™.
In this example, we are using a multi rotations technique (with a specific visualization application to manage mouse interaction):
The camera is moving only on elevation and for each elevation, the object is rotating on its Z-axis. Then we can observe the product from several angles and its materials interaction with the environment: see the caustic light projected on the floor and on the large white vase next to it.
Figure 6: Example in CAD of camera viewpoints used to create a multi-angle turntable
Figure 7: Example in CAD of a multi-angle turntable.
In Ocean™, a multi-angle camera means generating a turntable several times but with various elevation. Simply make one turntable for each desired elevation. To make a new elevation, we must create a copy of the camera and change its coordinates to Z-axis (elevation) and keep the same parameters for the turning table.
Figure 8: Animation setup properties for the multi-angle camera turntable
360° video for immersive scientific exploration
A 360° video is a video recording of a scene in which the image is recorded in all directions at the same time. In the real world, these video recordings are made with a device called a 360° camera.
When the video is projected, the user has control over the direction in which he or she views the scene, up, down or sideways.
In Ocean™ we can achieve 360° video by using a specific virtual instrument which is called “Spherical Camera”. Simply use our previous turntable configuration and replace the initial “Ideal perspective camera” by a spherical one.
Figure 9: Animation setup properties for the camera 360°
Each frame of the simulated animation is an equirectangular image. Below is a sequence of files generated using our realistic rendering software to create a video:
Figure 10: Image file sequence simulated in Ocean™ for video 360°
See below a equirectangular image generated with Ocean™’s spherical camera:
Figure 11: Equirectangular image simulated in Ocean™ with a Spherical Camera
We must use specific tools and viewer to build this sequence of images as a video format that enables the management of the 360° user interaction.
Figure 12: Video 360° in a viewer that allows user interaction. Simulations generated with Ocean™.
Conclusion - Advancing visual communication with Ocean™
This article explores immersive visualization techniques available with Ocean™ for presenting objects and materials with specific optical properties. It dissects the mechanics of camera functionality in 3D environments, analyzing perspective, movement, and animation.
From camera/instrument animation to the Turntable technique, the article examines each immersive opportunity through an engineering lens. Through this presentation, we aim to provide product designers and R&D engineers with additional strategies, combined with Ocean™’s optical simulation capabilities, to better evaluate the realism of lighting changes and reflections.
Here we present several types of animation that can effectively captivate audiences and convey complex information while preserving the predictive aspect of Ocean™ images and data.
The goal of this presentation is to drive innovation in visual communication by presenting a range of formats designed to enhance user experience and engagement without compromising the accuracy of Ocean™’s scientific realistic rendering.
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