3D Virtual Campus Digital Twin: Wide-area AR Experiments

3D Virtual Campus Project

Kim, You-Jin (2022). UCSB_3D Campus (Version 1.0.1) [Computer software] Repository.

A digital twin of the UC Santa Barbara campus, featuring 3D reconstructed models of KITP.

▪️  DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.6565136    ▪️  GitHub: github.com/yujnkm/VirtualUCSB
Immersive Storytelling Toolkit 

Kim, You-Jin (2021). UCSB_3D Campus (Version 1.0.1) [Computer software] Repository.

A digital twin of the Santa Barbara campus for research and simulation, featuring three campus locations.

▪️  DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.6565136    ▪️  GitHub: github.com/yujnkm/UCSB_3D 

Abstract

This project is an open-source 3D model of a digital twin of the Kirby Crossing environment, made to bridge the gap between physical architecture and immersive digital interaction. The twin was captured through a multi-modal approach, utilizing the Matterport 3D camera system alongside LiDAR scanning captured by walking through the area to fill gaps where the camera did not scan. By executing multiple walking passes from diverse angles, we ensured a comprehensive and precise spatial dataset. To optimize the data for collaborative research, the raw point clouds were converted into an efficient 3D mesh (.obj) format. Through optimization of shaders and textures (though quite compressed) the final scene maintains photorealistic quality and high fidelity while remaining under a 100 MB file size. This lightweight footprint eliminates the need for Git Large File Storage (LFS), making it ideal for streamlined version control and global GitHub collaboration.

This environment model can be easily deployed in Unity and Blender without any additional setup; the color, shaders, and lighting are already preset, featuring a dedicated occlusion layer specifically designed for realistic depth-handling on HoloLens devices. This digital asset serves several critical research functions that extend beyond simple visualization. It preserves a precise 1:1 digital record of the site’s architecture for long-term heritage conservation and historical documentation. Simultaneously, it enables designers to visualize virtual layers atop the physical twin to facilitate spatially-aware dance choreography and interactive stage design. By integrating human tracking data with digital twin playback, the system allows researchers to analyze movement and eye-gaze within a repeatable environment. Furthermore, the model provides a rehearsal space for mobility-impaired individuals to build spatial familiarity, serves as a sandbox for predictive environmental simulations, and democratizes access for global researchers to test navigation algorithms without the necessity of on-site travel.

Research Contributions

• Preserves a precise digital record of location architecture, ensuring long-term historical spatial documentation for heritage conservation and future structural reference.

• Enables designers to visualize virtual layers atop physical twins, facilitating the development of seamless, design AR experiences in user-centric FOV perspectives.

• Integrates tracking data with digital twin playback to analyze movement, eye-gaze, and spatial interaction in a repeatable environment.

• Serves as a sandbox for modeling microclimates, solar paths, and emergency evacuations by layering environmental data onto architectural replicas.

• Democratizes access to high-quality spatial assets, allowing global researchers to test indoor-outdoor navigation and localization algorithms without site travel.

Citation IEEE Format

[1] Y-J. Kim, "UCSB_3D Campus: A digital twin of the Santa Barbara campus for research and simulation," version 1.0.1, Zenodo, 2021. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6565136. GitHub: https://github.com/yujnkm/UCSB_3D

Citation APA Format

Kim, Y-J. (2021). UCSB_3D Campus: A digital twin of the Santa Barbara campus for research and simulation (Version 1.0.1) [Computer software]. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6565136; GitHub: https://github.com/yujnkm/UCSB_3D