Introduction
Bodies in eXtended realities (BiX) is a series of hands-on events (two workshops and a game jam) exploring how, by combining virtual/augmented reality and wearable technologies, we might imagine and create new playful experiences that center the body.
What might we imagine? We co-created this zine to get our conversation started!
Getting Started
Workshop 1: Connecting a microcontroller to a VR headset (tutorial)
Workshop 2: Creating wearables for VR experiences (slides)
You should find all the software you need to get started already set up on the laptops we are using for the jam. However, if you are setting up your own machine, you can find our walkthrough on the BiP Discord (https://discord.com), under the #technical-support channel.
Supplies and Tools
In your kit
- Microcontroller (Adafruit ESP-32 Feather V2)
- Terminal block breakout board
- Tiny screwdriver
- Small LiPo Battery
- USB to USB-C cable
- Alligator clips
- Jumper wires
- Conductive Capacitive tape – copper AND fabric
- Velostat
- 220 and 10K ohm resistors
- Vibe motor
- Sticky velcro
- plus bonus items!
On the communal table
- Tools (Coming Soon)
- Material (Coming Soon)
- Electronics (Coming Soon)
Downloadable Files
BiX Unity Template 1.0
* Update 1.1 (Avatar update)
Basic Arduino serial message code
List of Example Tutorials
Virtual/Reality (Easy)
Funky Shoes (Fair)
Nom Donut (Fair)
The Bigger the Brighter (Fair)
Bending Reality (Fair)
Heartthrob (Complex)
Other BiP Tutorials and Examples
You can find Bodies in Wearables instructables here.
You can find the BiVR Workshop 1 resources (AI tools, Blender 101, Skyboxes) here.
Other Resources
You can find the wiki for The Singularity here.
You may also find these resources for the MIT Reality Hack (using The Singularity) valuable. Special thanks to Jenny Wang and Lucas De Bonet for their care and support.
You can find out the Adafruit ESP-32 Feather V2 board spec and details about the ESP-32 Feather board pinouts here.
Unity/Blender Tutorials
- Unity Interface Tutorial: Using the Unity Interface
- Unity XR Interaction Toolkit Tutorials: Valem Playlist: How to Make a VR Game in Unity PART 1; Justin P Barnett Playlist: How to Make VR Games in 2022 Updated Unity VR Tutorial
- Multiplayer VR, Normcore Tutorial: Make a Multiplayer VR Game
- Blender Interface Tutorial: Blender Beginner Tutorial Part 1
- Export/Import Tutorial: How to EXPORT MATERIALS from Blender to Unity 2023 (Updated)
Electronics/Wearables Tutorials
- You can find basic Arduino overviews and tutorials here.
- Get an overview (or refresher) of beginners electronics.
- How to sew for beginners.
- More than it seams: garment stitching in e-textiles.
- Ultimate Instructable Costume Resource.
Beginner Scripting Tutorials
- Learn, Create, Play Playlist: Beginning C# with Unity (2023 Edition) Getting Started
Free Assets
- Free Textures: https://polyhaven.com/textures
- Free 3D Models: Unity Asset Store: Free 3D Models
- Free Sound FX/Music: https://freesound.org/
- Free Game Assets: https://opengameart.org/
BiX is a part of the Bodies in Play partnership, with support from the Social Science and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC).
