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Virtual Reality and Pixel Geometric 3D Modelling

Updated: Aug 7, 2020

Pixel geometric 3D modelling is a futuristic concept and you may not find resources on the internet. This concept is in incubation, but you may find this so much in use in coming years. In this article, I would discuss this concept and how it would affect virtual reality and change our world.


Virtual reality is a form of simulation of an environment, which users feel as real and get immersed in it. Hence it is called immersive experience. We create a three-dimensional environment and place users in it. They experience this environment all around them and become a part of it. They interact with the environment.


This environment can be simulated in multiple forms. The most elaborate form is a 3D mesh. We create a 3D model and render it, creating an authentic-looking environment. This process is time and resource consuming.


Another method is to use 360 panoramic photography of an existing environment and use it for simulation in virtual reality. Limitations of this model are users cannot move around freely. They can navigate one point to another and look around in any direction. They cannot navigate anywhere in between these two points.


The third method used for creating a stimulating environment is called photo geometry. Using a special camera and software, we digitize an environment using 360 panoramic visuals and create an approximate photo geometry. In this model, users have better real-life experience than a 360 panoramic photograph, as this model creates visual perspectives, which change when users turn around. Still, users can navigate only point-to-point.



In any form of simulation, we do not create any physical environment. We just lit some pixels on devices with different intensities and colours. Combinations of these pixels create and experience of a genuine environment. In short, whatever we experience, be it on pc monitors, VR sets, augmented reality devices or mobile phones, it's all pixels.


Pixel geometric 3D modelling is creating pixels directly using photography techniques. Presently pixels have only 2D data associated with them. This data is intensity and colour. If we associate 3D data and add coordinates to the pixels, we can create a three-dimensional model without actually creating a mesh. As we navigate through the model, pixels adjust themselves according to the relative position from us. Their intensity and colours change according to the change in perspectives and light. This would create a completely immersive experience of being into that environment.


This technology would be used in future extensively. This process requires much less computing resources as compared to a three-dimensional mesh model with real-time rendering capabilities. This would bring out a totally new face of virtual reality. Virtual reality would be utilized much more extensively and easily if we reduce resources consumption and make this technology mobile and easily accessible to users.


Perhaps this would be future of 3D modelling and Virtual Reality.

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