The 3D Modeling
Lab is intended to support UCLA students, staff, researchers and
faculty in the development of modeling and visualization work
for
the Visualization Portal and like facilities. The Lab focuses
on projects that are optimally suited for the unique capabilities of
the UCLA Visualization Portal and for interactive, real time display in other venues.
Aspiring users must propose a project for review by faculty advisors in the Experiential Technologies Center (ETC) for historic reconstructions; and by faculty advisors with the Institute for Digital Research and Education (IDRE) for scientific visualizations and computational simulation projects. If you are interested in applying to
use the Lab please read 3D Modeling Lab: Gaining
Access.
3D Modeling Lab projects and
clients greatly benefit from the resources offered in
the ATS environment. The Lab
offers a full palette of resources to create and promote modeling projects and
provides a well equipped production environment with a proven track record.
The Lab maintains a wide variety of modeling, graphics and archiving
applications on up to date workstations with specialized graphics cards. The support provided by staff includes the planning and creation
of projects, as well as their display, promotion and dissemination.
The Lab hosts a community of modelers working on a variety
of projects who assist one another with the challenges of creating models that
perform well in interactive, real time environments. Many clients
are working on similar projects and using the same
software, which affords the opportunity for sharing resources and ideas. ATS strives to facilitate collaboration between clients and encourages
them to assist and consult each other whenever possible.
Identical
Workstations
The 3D Modeling Lab consists of
modeling workstations
running Windows 2000 and an additional workstation used for scanning. All the PC
modeling
workstations are identically configured so that a
client who reserves time in the Lab is sure to have
the same resources available, no matter which station is
reserved. For a more detailed description of
the hardware available go to 3D Modeling Lab: Workstations And Other Resources.
A wide variety
of modeling, graphics, navigation and archiving applications
are maintained in the 3D Modeling Lab.
Applications such as Multigen
Creator, Maya, 3D Studio Max, Lightscape, FormZ, Lightscape, Mental Ray, NuGraf, Photoshop,
Illustrator, CompupicPro, Open GL Performer, vrNav, LivestagePro
and VRworx are maintained on every modeling workstation. For a more detailed description of the software in the
Lab see
3D Modeling Lab: Supported Applications.
Network Storage
All registered Lab users are issued
work space on a remote, large capacity filesystem named NFS4 which is
mapped to the "V: " drive and accessed through a
gigabit network connection. This is where users would normally save and
access all of their work and includes their home directory. This work
space is made available to clients for the duration of their project, be it months or years. This remote
file system is fast, monitored, backed up regularly, and kept in good
working order.
Fully
Functioning Lab
Lab hardware and software
are regularly maintained and updated. Staff
will respond quickly to remedy any problems that are reported.
The Lab
has a full-time staff member
available to offer support during regular work hours and other
support structures in place to handle any extraordinary problems.
Physical Tabletop Space
And Individual Storage Space
The lab has
been
designed to provide enough physical tabletop space to facilitate clients’ work. This includes the use of maps and architectural plans. Storage space
is also available, to allow clients
to leave books, maps, blueprints, and other personal resources in the Lab.
The Lab itself is a secure, locked facility.
Project Based
Work
Potential clients for the 3-D Modeling Lab are
selected based on the projects they propose. Projects typically last from three
months to
several years. By default clients are
allowed access from 6:00am to 11:00pm during the work week. The focus of the Lab is on
the creation of 3D models and the majority of projects have been architectural
or archeological in nature. ATS also maintains a website on
Scientific Visualization where you can get more information about the
services and facilities offered for scientific visualization.
Close Ties To The Visualization Portal
Usually projects created in the 3-D Modeling Lab result in interactive, real time models that will be displayed in the Portal
and take advantage of it's unique capabilities. These
models can also be displayed and navigated on desktop computers or "shuttle"
systems, using the same software that is used in the Portal. Preparing
models for interactive, real time display is as critical as
building them and is well supported by the Lab and Portal staff.
While Lab staff are focused on projects that are optimally
suited for the capabilities of the Portal they will also assist
in the creation of videotapes, movies, metadata, animations, web VR
objects and images that originated with these projects.
As well as focusing on interactive real time work, one of the overriding goals of the
Lab is to support
projects that represent work being done at UCLA.
Modeling Instruction,
Assistance And Consulting
ATS does not at this time
provide classes in the use of the
applications it supports in the lab. It does however provide limited
training and tutorials for certain applications to registered Lab users upon
request. ATS staff are available for assistance in modeling, and in
the use of the applications on Lab workstations, and can provide
modeling related consulting services. Notify the Lab coordinator or contact portal
ats.ucla.edu
if you need assistance.
For
more information on the 3D Modeling Lab and how to apply to use the lab
contact portalats.ucla.edu.
