| • A Depth Sensor (usually a Microsoft Kinect): Positioned above the sandbox, the depth sensor uses infrared light to measure the distance from the camera to the sand surface at thousands of points per frame. This data generates a real-time 3D height map of the sand’s surface. |
| • Projector: Mounted next to the depth camera, the projector is calibrated to align perfectly with the sandbox. It overlays digital content (e.g., color-coded elevation data, contour lines, and simulated water) directly onto the sand. This alignment ensures that the projections track precisely with the sand’s physical topography. |
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• Computer and Open-Source Software: The system runs on a computer equipped with a capable GPU to handle real-time 3D rendering. The most widely used software, developed by Oliver Kreylos at UC Davis, processes the incoming depth data and generates the graphical output. Functions include: • Interpreting elevation data from the Kinect to create a digital terrain model. • Applying a dynamic color gradient based on relative elevation (e.g., green for lowlands, brown for hills, white for peaks). • Drawing real-time contour lines to emphasize changes in elevation. • Simulating water flow using fluid dynamics, including features like rainfall generation and watershed accumulation. |
Step 1:
Step 2:
Step 3:
Step 4:
Step 5:
Shortcuts for FLOODING (1) and DRAINING (2)
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1. Press and Hold down the Key 1 to make the menu appear and keep it on the screen Continue to hold Key 1 until the end of the next step |
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2. Hover the mouse over the menu item “Manage Water” then release Key 1 |
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3. Press Key 2 |
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4. You have now set the following shortcuts: Key 1 can be used to flood the sandbox Key 2 can be used to drain the sandbox Note: Technically any keys (numbers/letters) can be used to set these shortcuts. The key used to open the menu will become the Flooding Shortcut. The key pressed after selecting “Manage Water” will become the Draining Shortcut. |
Switching between WATER and LAVA
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The code file that determines whether the liquid that appears as WATER or LAVA in the AR Sandbox is called SurfaceAddWaterColor. There are two folders (WATER and LAVA) on the desktop where these code files are stored so you can copy them as needed. THE CONTENTS OF THESE FOLDERS SHOULD NEVER BE CHANGED–ONLY COPIED. |
| To change from one liquid to the other, the current file in the AR Sandbox folder must be replaced with the opposite code file of the same name. Here is the process: |
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1. First, copy the file that you need. IF: The Sandbox is currently producing Water and you want it to produce Lava open the desktop folder LAVA. OR IF: The Sandbox is currently producing Lava and you want it to produce Water open the desktop folder WATER. Copy the file called SurfaceAddWaterColor inside that folder. DO NOT drag/delete/edit the file in this folder. Close the window. 2. Next, replace the existing “SurfaceAddWaterColor” file in the Sandbox folder with the one you just copied. To get the file you need to replace, follow this path: • Open the desktop folder called “ARSandbox’s Home” • Open the folder called “src” • Open the folder “SARndbox-2.6” • Open the folder “share” • Open the folder “SARndbox-2.6” • Finally, open the folder “Shaders” • Locate the file in this folder called SurfaceAddWaterColor (this is the file code you need to replace) • Delete the file. • Now paste the file you copied earlier in its place
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