Augmented Environments Lab

Abstract

In this paper we introduce AR Scratch, the first augmented-reality (AR) authoring environment designed for children. By adding augmented-reality functionality to the Scratch programming platform, this environment allows pre-teens to create programs that mix real and virtual spaces. Children can display virtual objects on a real-world space seen through a camera, and they can control the virtual world through interactions between physical objects. This paper describes the system design process, which focused on appropriately presenting the AR technology to the typical Scratch population (children aged 8-12), as influenced by knowledge of child spatial cognition, programming expertise, and interaction metaphors. Evaluation of this environment is proposed, accompanied by results from an initial pilot study, as well as discussion of foreseeable impacts on the Scratch user community.
Full Reference

I. Radu and B. MacIntyre, “Augmented-Reality Scratch: A children’s Authoring Environment for Augmented-Reality Experiences,” Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Interaction Design and Children, Como, Italy: ACM, 2009, pp. 210-213.

Abstract

In this paper, we describe The Designer’s Augmented Reality Toolkit (DART). DART is built on top of Macromedia Director, a widely used multimedia development environment. We summarize the most significant problems faced by designers working with AR in the real world, and discuss how DART addresses them. Most of DART is implemented in an interpreted scripting language, and can be modified by designers to suit their needs. Our work focuses on supporting early design activities, especially a rapid transition from storyboards to working experience, so that the experiential part of a design can be tested early and often. DART allows designers to specify complex relationships between the physical and virtual worlds, and supports 3D animatic actors (informal, sketch-based content) in addition to more polished content. Designers can capture and replay synchronized video and sensor data, allowing them to work off-site and to test specific parts of their experience more effectively.

Reference

Blair MacIntyre, Maribeth Gandy, Steven Dow, and Jay David Bolter. “DART: A Toolkit for Rapid Design Exploration of Augmented Reality Experiences.” User Interface Software and Technology (UIST’04), October 24-27, 2004, Sante Fe, New Mexico.

Abstract
In this paper, we describe The Designer’s Augmented Reality Toolkit (DART). DART is built on top of Macromedia Director, a widely used multimedia development environment. We summarize the most significant problems faced by designers working with AR in the real world, and discuss how DART addresses them. Most of DART is implemented in an interpreted scripting language, and can be modified by designers to suit their needs. Our work focuses on supporting early design activities, especially a rapid transition from storyboards to working experience, so that the experiential part of a design can be tested early and often. DART allows designers to specify complex relationships between the physical and virtual worlds, and supports 3D animatic actors (informal, sketch-based content) in addition to more polished content. Designers can capture and replay synchronized video and sensor data, allowing them to work off-site and to test specific parts of their experience more effectively.

Full Reference:
Blair MacIntyre, Maribeth Gandy, Steven Dow, and Jay David Bolter. “DART: A Toolkit for Rapid Design Exploration of Augmented Reality Experiences.” User Interface Software and Technology (UIST’04), October 24-27, 2004, Sante Fe, New Mexico.