CREATING A VIRTUAL FIELD TRIP USING A 3D GAME ENGINE AND PHOTOGRAPHIC 3D MODELS FROM THE REAL WORLD

We researched a procedure for creating an immersive Virtual Field Trip (VFT) using Unity3D, terrain visualization software, and photographic 3D models of terrains and geologic samples of the real world. Unity3D is a 3D game engine that has been used by game developers for developing state of the art games, but it can also be used for developing an immersive virtual field trip environment. The VFT environment developed in this study is composed of the game components of imported 3D models of terrains and geologic samples. The terrains have been created either from the terrain visualization software and GIS data or from the photographic 3D models of terrains reconstructed from the geologic outcrops. The aerial photography using drones and Structure-from-Motion (SfM)-Multi View Stereo (MVS) photogrammetric techniques have been used to create the photographic 3D models of terrains from the geologic outcrops. The photographic 3D models of geologic samples have been reconstructed from the close-range photography of rocks, fossils, and structures, with SfM-MVS photogrammetry. These 3D models have been imported into the Unity3D engine as assets, and then have been used as game components. The users of this immersive VFT environment can navigate the terrain to look for geologic samples to make observations and to learn. We expect that this VFT application will help the geoscience educators deliver effective field experiences.