Gravity 3D augmented-reality sketchpad

A team at London’s Royal College of Art for Innovation Design Engineering developed a 3D version of a sketch pad. This device enables artists to use a virtual reality-type medium to creatively develop their projects. Gravity is a system of hardware and software for artists who can sketch in 3D space with the feature of immersive augmented reality.

Artists can create 3D sketches that can be transformed into the basic framework for 3D modeling used for animation on the computer. This process will completely change how 3D objects are virtually created and implemented on the computer.

Users wear augmented-reality glasses and draw on the Gravity pad with the specialized pen; this setup allows artists to draw their physical world as they perceive it, and upload it to the computer as a virtual 3D model. By controlling the pen to sketch on the different planes of the sketchpad, users do not have to employ techniques such as CAD or perspective drawing. Gravity works well with just about any augmented-reality device, or any virtual head-mounted system of display. There are no finite plans of whether the team will develop an exclusive headset for Gravity to work with.

The team of researchers tested the prototypes on a potential pool of users. It was well received across the board. The overall idea and invention of Gravity will open up many new doors for the world of technology. For example, when an object has been sketched out, the 3D plan can be uploaded to the computer and can thus be immediately 3D-printed.

Story via Gizmodo