Team: Jesse Hendrickson, Ross Henri, Becky Moore, Sara Frederixon
Fireworks is a unique, exciting experience where the user get to design and launch their own firework. The experience is all about their interaction from drawing out their own image to using their whole body to launch their creation into the virtual night sky. The user starts by operating our own firework creation tool to draw out any shape or image they can imagine. They then enter our tent to be immersed into an astounding 3D event. The image they have created is waiting in their hand to be sent flying; all they need to do is cast out their arm. In front of them is now a beautiful explosion of particles and color in the exact form of their custom shape. It is an experience all of their own just for them.
The process starts with the user painting their own firework image on the first computer. Using a small, self-created program the user selects a color from a sidebar menu and begins drawing. The program detects where the user has placed each pixel in a grid, and the data is then sent over the network to the main sketch computer. The main computer translates the grid into individual particles ready to be launched off. When the user steps up into the tent, the computer uses the Kinect to calibrate their center of volume. Once this is determined, if the user extends their arm outside of a certain radius from their body the Kinect will detect that it is time to shoot the firework off. In front of them the user will see their image being launched, as particles, into the night sky. At the same time, the user will hear the firework going up and launching all around them via surround sound that is connected to another computer over the network as well. The intensity of the noise is directed in the direction that the firework is launched to simulate a real 3D experience.
The final result of our project is very exciting. Inside the tent, the user receives an individualized, personal experience that they were allowed to create. The 3D sound really pulls the entire event together, engaging the user and making it more enjoyable.
Everybody who played with our project at the show really seemed to enjoy
it, which is above all, what we had hoped for in making it. It was very
cool to see how each person tried to shoot their fireworks off, whether by
using two arms, flailing, or even kicking. Also, once a lot of people had
drawn their fireworks, since each one was added to our library, we got to
see what everyone had drawn by the end of the showcase. There were
fireworks ranging from random assortments of colors, geometric shapes,
fruits, and (as expected in an engineering building) video game characters
and dinosaurs. It was definitely well received by all who used it.
Code: Kinect Presentation Speaker Server Custom Firework
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