FIK VIRTUAL JOURNEY

NOOR SYAFIQAH AZIM BINTI MOHD ZAINURIN

BACHELOR OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (INFORMATICS

MEDIA) HONOURS

UNIVERSITI SULTAN ZAINAL ABIDIN

2018

FIK VIRTUAL JOURNEY

NOOR SYAFIQAH AZIM BINTI MOHD ZAINURIN

Bachelor of Information Technology (Informatics Media) honours

Faculty of Informatics and Computing

Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Terengganu, Malaysia

DECEMBER 2018

APPROVAL

I declare that this report entitled “FIK Virtual Journey” is my own work except as

cited in the references. The report has not been accepted for any degree and is not being

submitted concurrently in candidature for any degree or another award.

Signature : _____________________

Name : NOOR SYAFIQAH AZIM

MOHD ZAINURIN

Date : ________________________

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

First, I would like to extend my sincere thanks and deepest appreciation to my

supervisor, Encik Tolahah Bin Muda who guide me and give any suggestions to encounter

any problems when I doing this project. Without her, I could not finish my project.

Besides, I would like to express my sincere thanks to my panels and fellow lecturers

who also had given me some idea to develop my project.

Finally, I would like to say thanks to my parents and my friends for their love and

support. They give me some advice to solve my problems and encourage me during the

period of developing Final Year Project.

Abstract

Virtual journey, has an increasing amount of usage as the world’s technology

getting more advance. With virtual journey, people can have a view of the actual place like

they are actually there through devices like computer or phone, without having to travel to

that specific location. Thus, it is considered as a convenient alternative to the actual journey.

FIK Virtual Journey could possibly attract more students to enroll in it by having a

virtual journey platform for the campus. It is achievable through the usage of a more

interesting and advanced way of interaction instead of the traditional mouse and keyboard.

Other than that, FIK Virtual Journey can also be one of the few university in Malaysia that

have a virtual faculty journey application.

The methodology used in this project is the ADDIE methodology. This methodology is

chosen as it allows responsive feedback and changes to be made with minimum cost,

together with a shorter development process since requirement is clear. A virtual journey

platform which contains the details about FIK’s environment is expected to be produced as

the end product, and the application should be able to be navigated by using oculus rift and

headset units.

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background

FIK Virtual Journey is a term that is use to describe the simulation of an actual

location exist on Earth. The initial use of this term is actually from year 1994, where a

museum interpretation is provided with a “walk-through” of a 3D reconstruction of Dulley

Castle in England as it was in 1550. Since then, virtual tour has started to spread among the

people and used as a way to show a certain area, building and etc. The most common

industries that use the virtual tour feature are the academic field, famous attraction of a

country and the real estate industry.

Fik Virtual Journey is used by the faculty to provide a walking tour experience

around the faculty. So, the potential students can just use the virtual tour platform to look

around the campus and its environment. This project is an installation-based experience

incorporating virtual reality, hardware and software through supporting headset units. The

equipment enables to replicate an alternative viewpoint or world by creating a digital

environment to which the user can explore. This will be adapted as part of the proposed

exhibition.

As for the real estate industry, it is having almost similar advantage with the campus

virtual tour. The industry uses the virtual tour to provide a preview of the building to its

customer. This allows them to exhibit the building even if the building intended to be shown

to the potential customer is not done, or even before the construction activity is carried out.

This is able to solve the common problem shared by all the tours, which is the condition of

the place. The management of the place won’t have to worry about the preventability of the

area, e.g. to keep the place clean, repaint parts of the building, or carry out maintenance

and etc., which are all prevented by using virtual tour.

1.2 Problem Statement

It seems like a few of problems that we can see a long time to develop this project, it is:

1. Low quality of promoting FIK area.

Three-dimensional animations and illustration can give the user a better experience to

explore ins and outs of the FIK building. When using the natural explored, it will be

exhausting for them to fully explore it. When visitor came for a faculty tours, they expect

to have someone who is familiar with the faculty to guide them throughout the tour. Thus,

the visitors will have to tour on their own.

2. FIK students not familiar with the faculty surrounding

Low effective when using the natural ways to find the location in the faculty. It is because,

the building does not have any interactive information to present to the students. It also

difficult because the area is too big. It also limits the students to find the information. The

common issue among the student is to find out where their class is located. It usually takes

them few weeks to familiarize themselves with the faculty. This is often the main culprit of

why they are late for their class. Therefore, those who are not familiar with the faculty have

to spend hours to get the area, not to mention the energy and time.

3. Limited interaction with the available virtual tour

There are tons of virtual tour application out on the internet, and majority of them are still

using the standard input of mouse and keyboard. While they are the standard input device

that is used daily, it is just plain and boring to use them to experience a virtual tour. With

the technology getting better day by day, there are a lot of new input device that have the

potential to replace the mouse and keyboard combination.

1.3 Objective

There are three aims that need to be achieved in this project. The objectives are as follows:

To design desktop application that give convenience to the people emerging world

of virtual reality with supported by oculus rift.

Due to the problem of huge faculty size and location of faculty, it’s inconvenient for most

of the people who want to have a faculty tour. So by having a faculty tour virtually, those

who want to have a tour don’t have to travel to Besut, they can just get the access to the

virtual tour and having a faculty tour at their place. By using this way, they can save their

time and also energy. It is also an easier way to promote the environment of Faculty

Informatics and Computing to people.

To develop desktop application that can help FIK students in familiarizing with the

Faculty.

Since Faculty Informatics and Computing is huge, it is pretty common for those students

that have problem on getting to the right destination. Through virtual tour, those students

can familiarize themselves with the 3D replica of FIK building and route. Hence, it helps

them in faster to reach the location they want.

To test the functionality of desktop application in an interesting way to interact with

the virtual tour.

By using oculus rift, a device that senses the hand and finger motions and uses them as the

input to interact with application, it is possible to fully replace the mouse and keyboard to

provide the input to the application. Inputting in this way will attract and maintain the user’s

interest throughout the whole process. Having the VR equipment, the user can freely

observe the area and gaze their attention in any desired direction. In the same time, the

users can have a 360 degrees experience and also the feeling of depth for the environment.

It also will be as part of exhibition for our Faculty.

1.4 Scope and Limitation of Work

1.4.1 Group Scope

- This project is aimed at the Faculty Informatics and computing area for a visitor, it is

because of promoting the FIK environment. It also allows the visitor to interact with the

virtual reality environment at the same time using through headset units.

- Focus for FIK Students itself. It is easy for students to find the information around the

faculty area. For example, about their lecturer’s room or office.

- Society age 13 years old and above, the potential for VR is increased when using this

technology can help society to understand and transform themselves and the world around

them limitless. They can explore in FIK environment even though they are not at that place.

1.4.2 Project Scope

The main of this project is to produce a 3D ‘FIK Virtual Journey’ to solve the problems

previously stated. A few main outcomes that are going to be produced are:

3D Building Model for the exterior of FIK

3D model of the FIK Virtual Journey will be created as this project focuses on the

exterior of the FIK building. The 3D model will have the same texture and layout

with the actual one, thus user is able to feel like they are actually there.

Use Oculus Rift as the main input device

The norms of providing input to interact with an application is the usage of Oculus

Rift. Thus, by using oculus rift as the main input device, will increase the interaction

between the user and the application, to be more lively and interesting. User will

have to control what they want to do such as to walk, to change the direction, to

select option and etc. through oculus rift device. The standard way to input will be

enable too in case the device is not available.

Interesting sound effect and background music

Any brilliant application won’t be as good as they are if sound is not present. Sound

effects can help an ordinary application to become a better one. Sound effects and

music will be in the virtual tour to enhance the user experience, e.g. sound of select

option, sound of footsteps, and etc.

1.5 Limitation of Work

This application only focus in Faculty Informatics & Computing area, and the application

is only can run with desktop or personal computer with high graphic card that can supported

by oculus rift. With oculus rift, it will give the user a fresh experience of providing input

and controlling the virtual journey, which will attract them and gives them an unforgettable

journey, while providing useful faculty information such as faculty organization, objective,

mission and vision. Lastly, this application is only provided 3 blocks at faculty area which

is block D1, D2 and D3.

1.6 Ghant Chart

1.7 Expected Result

It is expected that this application results in facilitating the both party student and virtual

reality with supported by oculus rift. By develop 3D model environment medium to make

easier for FIK students in familiarizing with the faculty area very well. By using the desktop

application can give an interesting way to interact with the virtual tour and emerging with

the environment.

1.8 Chapter of Summary

This chapter discussed about the project’s background, problem statement, project

objective, and project’s scope.

CHAPTER 2

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Introduction

This chapter provided some reviews of techniques which have been proposed by

many researchers in previously. The related works also have been reviewed to ensure the

quality in order to improve this project. This chapter also describes and explains of the

literature review carried out on the application that will be used as references in developing

this application. Previous research or existing application will also discussed in this section.

Literature review aim to review the critical points of the current knowledge on a particular

topic. Therefore, the purpose of the literature review is to find, read and analyses the

literature or any works or studies related to this application. It is important to well

understand about all information to be considered and related before developing this

application. Some research has been studied to understand to implement in the FIK Virtual

Journey application.

2.2 Related Works

Virtual Reality (VR) is a computer technology that uses software-generated realistic

images, sounds and other sensations to replicate a real environment or an imaginary setting,

and simulates a user’s physical presence in this environment to enable the user to interact

with this space. There are already a number of virtual reality applications available on the

internet which people are using it for the purpose stated above:

1. Library of Alexandria – 3D Virtual Tour (Web Application)

Figure 2-2-1: Library of Alexandria – 3D Virtual Tour

(Library of Alexandria – 3D Virtual Tour)

The Library of Alexandria – 3D Virtual Tour is a web application created using the method

of photograph stitching. It features a 360° panoramic virtual tour experience by using HD

photo for the application, and users are not able to navigate in the library. After the

application is loaded, the user still need to wait for the photos to fully loaded before they

can have a clear view of the library. This is only a part of the full application that if

accessible only through the provided executable file. When it is started through the file,

there will be a list of location available to be selected to start the virtual tour, including the

Library of Alexandria. It contains the ability to set the virtual tour as the screensaver, and

when screensavers starts, a random site will be chosen and shown around automatically.

Strength

High quality photos, allows user to zoom and still get an acceptable level of detail

Virtual reality can be set as screensaver

Weakness

Only have one spot for the view, no navigation around the place

Both the web version and .exe version requires internet connection in order to work

2. All in One Interactive Virtual Tour (Web Application)

Figure 2: All in One Interactive Virtual Tour (Virtual Reality 3D Tours n.d.)

Figure 3: All in One Interactive Virtual Tour (3D Doll House view) (Virtual Reality 3D

Tours n.d.)

This All in One Interactive Virtual Tour is also a web application. It is also using the

photograph stitching method. It features 360° panoramic virtual tour experience using HD

photos. There is an instruction that will be shown to the user when they first enter the

application. The user is allowed to navigate around the area by providing input using the

mouse or keyboard. After the application is loaded, the view for the specific spot is loaded

only when the user choose to navigate to the specific spot. There are 3 viewing mode

available for the application, other than the panoramic view as mentioned above, it also

contains 3D Doll House view and also 2D floor plan view. In the 3D Doll House view, user

is able to have a view of the whole house in 3D, and able to zoom/move/rotate using mouse

or keyboard. While for the 2D floor plan view, user will have a top view of the house and

also able to zoom/move/rotate the model. It also provides the function to move between

floors.

Strength

High quality photos and 3D model, which create attractive product

Able to navigate around a number of fixed spots to have a better view of the

building

Different viewpoint available (panorama, 3D doll house, floor plan)

Clear instruction on how to use the application is provided

Weakness

Requires internet connection to load the application

Restricted to only a number of fixed spots to have a view of the building

3. TomBraining The Gallery (TomBraining The Gallery Trial n.d)

Figure 3: TomBraining The Gallery (TomBraining The Gallery Trial n.d)

TomBraining The Gallery is a desktop application. It is a 3D virtual art gallery with

multiple exhibition rooms that aims to expand the user’s cultural knowledge through more

than 250 masterpieces of art and music. By using leap motion device, the user is able to

walk around the virtual 3D gallery using hand gestures, and admire the great paintings

accompanied with classical music. While the user is looking at the painting, detailed

description about the painting is shown beside. Each painting also having a specially

commissioned text by the celebrated art historian, and is narrated by Brian Protheroe, which

brings the paintings to life. It also have a game mode that allows the user to measure their

knowledge of art and test their memory on what they have seen, heard and understood.

Strength

Attractive graphics and arts used which attracts people to use it

Able to navigate through the whole area freely

Have an interactive game mode to test user’s knowledge

Support the use of leap motion

A map indicating the location of the paintings

High quality sound effects that suit the application

Weakness

Navigate using the mouse is troublesome

2.3 Comparison between Reviewed Applications and Proposed System

Features Library of

Alexandria-3D

Virtual Tour

All in One

Interactive

Virtual Tour

TomBraining

The Gallery

FIK-Virtual

Jouney

(Proposed

project)

High Quality

Photos/3D

Model

Yes Yes Yes Yes

Gaze Input - - - Yes

Immersive - - - Yes

Interactive - - Yes Yes

Instruction to use

the application

- Yes Yes Yes

Good

quality/suitable

sound effects

- - Yes Yes

Works without

internet

connection

- - Yes Yes

2.3 Summary

This chapter discusses literature review that had been reviewed during feasibility

studies. The literature review helps developer to discover the problem of previous research

for application which needs to be improves and overcome in this application development.

Moreover, there are some advantages and disadvantages in every techniques that has been

considered in the research.

CHAPTER 3

METHODOLOGY

3.1 Introduction

This chapter discusses a methodology used for this project. Each phase that

discusses in this chapter is to ensure the project to run smoothly. There are a huge

number of software methodologies available and every single one of them is unique

in terms of the aspect that they excel in. After analyzing all the methodologies pros

and cons, ADDIE method is the selected methodology to be used in this project.

3.2 Analysis

The first phase in the ADDIE model of instructional design is the analysis phase.

Analysis phase is to determine the selection of input that underlie the development

of a product (Embi, 2010). Phase analysis is the foundation of all phase in the

instructional design model. In order to run the project, the requirement analysis

should be done and a project can be built in order to see and understand its process

flow. The analysis phase involves are requirement analysis, task analysis and

instructional analysis. The activities involve are identifying the problem statement,

the goals and objectives of the desktop VR application to be developed, the learners

need, existing knowledge and any other relevant characteristics and also the content

of desktop VR application. The content of desktop VR application can be referred

to Picture 2. The desktop VR application is developed focusing for explore in

Faculty Informatics & Computing especially for who are aged 13 years old and

above. The analysis is also carried out by doing literature review on existing any

virtual reality projects either mobile or desktop plate form. Through the analysis,

the weakness of the existing virtual reality mobile or desktop plate form can be

identified. All information gathered were used to develop goals and objective of

developing desktop VR application. The software and hardware requirement

are also determined in this phase.

FIK- Virtual Reality

FIK Organization

FIK Vision, Mission

& Objective

(MVO)

FIK Virtual Journey

D1

D2

D3

Picture 2: Content of FIK Virtual Journey

3.2.1 Building Analysis

Building analysis is used to identify the areas of Faculty Informatics and Computing.

AutoCAD is used in this project as the 3D models, which is a building. With this

building analysis, it is easy to use as a reference to develop in SketchUp Software.

Figure 3-2-3 F1 First Floor Plan of FIK Building

3.3 Design

Design phase is the second phase in making FIK Virtual Journey in ADDIE model.

The phase is implemented after phase 1 is completed and become “blue print” or

backbone of planning in the process of designing (Embi, 2010). Design that are

developed to resemble the existing of original model, but different in terms of

material manufacture and use of VR technology. In design phase, flowchart and

storyboard were developed.

3.3.1 Flowchart

A flowchart is a type of diagram that represents an algorithm, workflow or process.

The flowchart shows the steps as boxes of various kinds, and their order by

connecting the boxes with arrows. The flowchart of desktop VR application: “FIK

Virtual Journey” is shown in Picture 3. The application starts by providing user

choose from a selection of menu, either choosing to look up FIK’s organization or

FIK’s mission vision and objective (MVO) or FIK Virtual Journey. The FIK Virtual

Journey button is the most important button for this application which is user can

explore the building using the headset units. In a few second, a 3D model of FIK’s

building will be appeared. The technology used is virtual reality that combined the

reality and virtual environment together to make an exploring process become more

interesting. The FIK’s organization button and the FIK’s MVO button will show

user to their own page. The page just additional information to give to the user.

System Flowchart

No

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

No

No

No

No

Yes

Yes

Start

Show Interface

FIK’s

Organization

FIK Virtual

Journey

Tapped on

logo

FIK’s

(MVO)

Show MVO

Exit

A

B

Show FIK

Organization

A

A

Exit

No

Yes

B

Show block FIK to let

user choose which

block to explore

Transition to the 3D

model of the chosen

block

Proceed

explore?

User explore

No

Yes

Exit

A

3.3.2 Storyboard

Storyboard is also a part of multimedia design process. The storyboard shows the

look and feel of the application that will be developed. Some of the storyboard can

be seen in Picture 4, 5 and 6 below.

Main Menu

This is the main menu, it consist of buttons for alternative help and credit. User

can tap (touch controller) at logo of FIK Virtual Journey to start.

Figure 3-3-2 F1 Storyboard 1

Main Content

FIK Virtual Journey content will be shown to let the user

choose the location to have a journey.

Figure 3-3-2 F2 Storyboard 2

When user choose Organization Chart content, FIK Virtual

Journey will be shown to the user.

Organization Chart

Mission, Objective and Vision (MOV) Content

When user choose MOV content, FIK Virtual Journey will

be shown to the user.

Figure 3-3-2 F3 Storyboard 3

Explore FIK

In this content, user can choose to view either the block

D1, block D2 or block D3.

Block D1

User can navigate around the environment.

Credit Button

FIK Virtual Journey will show the credit content to the

user.

Figure 3-3-2 F3 Storyboard 3

Help Button

FIK Virtual Journey will show the help content to the user.

Figure 3-3-2 F3 Storyboard 3

3.3.3 Logo

A logo can describe as the face of this application. Quite often, it is the first thing that

a potential user will notice about this application. A logo is much more than just an

image; it is a point of recognition for users and an important foundation for the branding

of this application. A well-designed logo is an easy way to convey to potential users

that this application is professional, trustworthy, and provides quality goods or services.

3.4 Development

This phase ‘translate’ the activities specified in the phase 1 and phase 2 of the

prototype so it is easier to understand (Embi, 2010).

3.5 Implementation

Implementation phase, is any training and related materials evaluation carried out

temporarily, to determine the impact to the real world (Welty, 2008). This phase

involved the development of FIK Virtual Journey as planned in the development

phase. In this phase, testing was carried out. Testing will be made against the

virtual journey that are developed by researcher. This phase will also involve

target user where the user will use the FIK Virtual Journey prototype before the

product were evaluated by experts.

3.6 Evaluation

The last phase, which is the phase of evaluation. In this phase, the prototype that

was repaired in phase 4 will fix.