Vectors in Space

What is Vectors in Space?

Vectors in Space (VIS) is my first completed project built for the Magic Leap One device at the XR Garage. VIS is a mathematics visualizer with three modules (1) 3D vector visualization (2) vector operations (3) vector force systems.

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Why was it built?

VIS was originally an app built for students enrolled in Dr. Diana Arboleda's Mechanics of Solids course.

Dr. Arboleda was finding that some students were unprepared for her first week of classes and unable to visualize vector math in 3D, something crucial for all of her civil engineering students to succeed.

She proposed to build a simple 3D vector visualization app using mixed reality, which was then used as a prototype for a successful larger NSF grant.

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In the News

Refresh Miami: The future is augmented reality, says Magic Leap CEO Peggy Johnson

University of Miami IT: Vectors in Space

XR Initiative Miami: Vectors in Space Module 3

Official Magic Leap Twitter: Tweet

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Module 3

What content did module 3 contain?

Module 3 involves the learning of concurrent force systems. In order to calculate the force values of a concurrent system, you must make sure that the net forces are zero. In order to simulate this, we wanted to create a simulation in which students could place 4 vectors on top of a structure, with one force value already being given to them. From there, they would have to calculate the remaining 3 force values on each vector. After inputting their guesses, students would be able to view the calculations process to validate their answer.

Full wireframe on Adobe XD here.

Module 3 User Flow

A challenge with module 3 was figuring out how we could allow users to place and subsequently select vectors intuitively. Based on how many vectors were currently placed, we needed to be able to allow users to continue drawing more vectors or instruct them to select a vector.

This ended up being our final user flow. On the left is the single player flow, and the right is the multi player flow.

Solution

A lot of technical challenges came with this particular module, mostly stemming from the complex 3D math required to both show the correct results and to show the correct relative positions and calculations for the networked players.

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General Takeaways

Since so many people ended up working on the project and we never defined a style guide for the way the project would be maintained and code would be added, stepping into the project into module 3, from when I had only built module 1, the codebase was a challenge to get used to.

However, it is extremely rewarding to know that the project is now being used at the Tecnologico de Monterrey to teach physics as part of the Hemispheric initiative.