When building web-based, immersive 3D experiences, innovation is paramount. At Triptych, we pride ourselves on leveraging new techniques combined with traditional skills to create impactful experiences for our clients. One such emergent technology that has revolutionized our approach is Gaussian Splatting (GS), an advanced 3D reconstruction technique that captures and renders scenes with remarkable detail and efficiency. Unlike traditional methods that rely heavily on complex structural geometry, often at the expense of performance, GS simplifies the process by using a cloud of 3D points. Each point in this cloud contains specific attributes—shape, color, and opacity—allowing for a highly detailed and realistic representation of a given scene.
Advancing GS Technology
We've taken this innovative technology a step further by seamlessly integrating GS-supplied environmental contexts and supplementing it with traditional geometry, textures, and even sound. This comprehensive approach elevates the user experience while allowing for on-the-fly changes to targeted elements. Initially developed for a client project, our immersive store end cap visualization highlights the power of our approach, showcasing how GS can transform retail space design and evaluation. By allowing designers to visualize and iterate traditional 3D elements within a virtual environment supplied with GS, we expedite feedback and revision cycles. This approach is not only cost-effective but also eliminates the delays associated with physical production.
Triptych Design Team's Workflow
In Blender, our design team created a 3D layout of a Big Box store based loosely on the layout of a real store. To populate the store, we designed models and packaging art for a variety of fake products. We then created a camera in our 3D scene with a carefully plotted path and rendered a video clip of our 3D Big Box store. From this video, we generated a GS file. This process is unique because it's unusual to see a GS model generated from a typical 3D model, but it allowed us to convert an otherwise heavy custom 3D scene into a performant 3D scene that would work well in a web browser. We also pieced together stock footage of video clips, blurred the clips to obfuscate them a bit, and then placed them on monitors in the background for a more dynamic and realistic store environment. Additionally, the primary end cap features an integrated, custom video.
Triptych Development Team's Implementation
Using the LumaAI API, our development team imported the Gaussian splat into a react-three-fiber/three.js scene as a mesh. They adapted the configuration of the three.js scene to attain optimal performance. We then combined the GS model with typical 3D meshes to add detail to the most important parts of the scene. Video textures and audio were used to imitate the activity of a store environment, enhancing the overall immersive experience.
Our hope was to utilize Spline to further streamline the process. However, Spline’s tools aren’t quite as optimized as what we could produce with our custom integration with react-three-fiber/three.js. No doubt Spline’s GS toolkit will continue to evolve.
Rapid Iteration for Limited Geometrical Complexity
It’s important to note that a primary benefit of our method is the ability to provide a high level of detail without taxing computational resources. This efficiency makes it an ideal solution for various applications. In short, we can build an optimized, smooth, web-based 3D interactive experience quickly and efficiently.
The most effective application of our method is in scenarios where rapid iteration is crucial, particularly for elements of limited geometrical complexity but within a complex, static visual context. This technique excels when you need to quickly prototype and visualize simple objects or elements within a scene. By integrating these elements as traditional 3D models, we can achieve a perfect balance of speed and detail. This makes GS an ideal tool for pre-visualization in various industries, enabling quick adjustments and refinements without the computational burden of complex geometry.
The Possibilities are Endless
The potential applications of our extended GS method extend far beyond the retail sector. Here are just a few ways different industries could benefit:
Architecture
Architects could use our GS method to create vivid, detailed models of their designs where specific elements need feedback and revision cycles. This technology would enable clients to explore architectural possibilities in a highly realistic virtual environment, fostering better understanding and communication.
Education and History
Historians and educators could leverage GS to recreate ancient sites or visualizations of historical events, providing immersive learning experiences. Virtual tours of historical landmarks could be rendered in real-time, making history accessible and engaging for a wider audience.
Sports and Entertainment
Sports arenas and entertainment venues could capture their environments using GS, allowing fans worldwide to experience event contexts as if they were there. This would open up new possibilities for virtual attendance and interactive experiences.
Travel and Destination Experiences
The Parthenon, The Statue of David, Alhambra, and numerous other locations are perfect examples of locations where GS could provide a glimpse of the wonder the world has to offer. Nothing can replace the real thing, but for destination experience companies, what better way to entice people to travel than a high-fidelity, interactive sample of the locations themselves?
Shareable, Web-Based Integration
One of the standout features of our GS technology is its shareable, web-based integration. This capability allows for the creation of detailed, photorealistic scenes that can be rendered in real-time and accessed from anywhere. The interactive nature of these scenes enhances user engagement and opens up a myriad of possibilities for creative and commercial applications.
Let's Collaborate
At Triptych, we’re excited about the endless possibilities that this and other immersive technologies offer. Whether you’re looking to innovate in retail, architecture, education, or any other field, our expertise in 3D can help bring your vision to life. We invite you to share your next project with us and explore how our cutting-edge solutions can make a difference.
Interested in learning more? We'd love to hear about your next project and discuss how we can collaborate to achieve your goals.
