Project Summary

A team of UVU students has collaborated with the National Park Service for the past two semesters. The goal of their project is to create a digital twin of Castillo de San Marcos National Monument in St. Augustine, Florida. This digital twin will enable virtual preservation of the historic site and provide access to individuals who are unable to visit due to physical or financial constraints.

During their on-site visit, the team captured photos and videos to aid in digitally recreating the fort. Upon returning, they have been using Blender to create assets, which are then imported into Unreal Engine, where texture, sound, and interactivity are added to enhance the realism of the experience. The team aims to develop both a browser-based version and a Virtual Reality option, allowing users to explore the site in a first-person perspective. In both versions, users will be able to navigate the site, view its structures and placards, and experience the unique sounds of the area.

2023 Team

Students: Michael Burton (Project Manager, VR in Unreal Engine), Roger Chamberlain (Asset creation), Kayla Macias (asset creation and documentation), Derek Ney (audio creation, editing, and Unreal Engine)

Faculty: Marty Clayton