Integration of a structure from motion into virtual and augmented reality for architectural and urban simulation: Demonstrated in real architectural and urban projects

Abstract

Computational visual simulations are extremely useful and powerful tools for decision-making. The use of virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) has become a common phenomenon due to real-time and interactive visual simulation tools in architectural and urban design studies and presentations. In this study, a demonstration is performed to integrate structure from motion (SfM) into VR and AR. A 3D modeling method is explored by SfM under real-time rendering as a solution for the modeling cost in large-scale VR. The study examines the application of camera parameters of SfM to realize an appropriate registration and tracking accuracy in marker-less AR to visualize full-scale design projects on a planned construction site. The proposed approach is applied to plural real architectural and urban design projects, and results indicate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed approach.