ARCH 500, Section 1

Point Clouds and Unreal Worlds: An Introduction to Immersive Technologies.
Winter 2025
Instructors: Dawn Gilpin
Term: Winter 2025
Section: 1
Class Number: 36207
Credits: 3
Required: No
Elective: Yes
Meets: Wed, 8:30-11:30am Computer Lab 2109
Course Brief: Download

This course introduces students to advanced techniques in 3D laser scanning, photogrammetry, and Unreal Engine basics*, as technical extensions of disciplinary conventions in architecture visualization. The course provide students with a comprehensive understanding of how these tools and techniques can be used to make more vivid design ideas, spatial narratives, and positions developed in architecture studios. The course will cover a range of topics including:

3D Laser Scanning: Understanding the fundamentals of 3D laser scanning, including the equipment and software required, and how it can be used to capture accurate and detailed 3Dmodels of real-world objects and environments. Each student will be certified with use of the FARO scanner by end of the semester. This will be the primary focus of this course.

Photogrammetry: Understanding the fundamentals of photogrammetry, including how to capture and process high-quality images to create accurate and detailed 3D models of real-world objects and environments.

Unreal Engine*:Understanding the fundamentals of this game engine, including how to use it to create immersive, real-time visualizations of architectural designs, and how to leverage its advance lighting and rendering capabilities enabling world-building and spatial narrative scenario creation. Throughout the course, students primarily work with the 3D laser scanner and software to obtain certification and participate in 2 workshops on photogrammetry