VR Music Video Development Part 1: Changes and Complications

So for a very long time, I was unable to actually get my project built and run on Unity following the instructions specified in the lectures. I don’t know if this was a technical error, something caused by trying to convert instructions stated on a Mac to Windows, or my own fault, but thankfully I was able to diagnose the problem and fix it. The main issue seemed to be stemming from the addition of the OVR plug in found on the Unity store. With it removed, I was able to build my project using Unity’s built-in XR functions.

Following this playlist:

I was able to create my own VR rig for the project, as well as implement simple functionalities such as the addition of VR hands, scene interaction in the form of a bouncing ball, and far object grabbing.

With my base functionality sorted, I was able to finally begin working on my project during the Christmas break, where I came to another conclusion. My original idea of a street occupied by cars and pedestrians seemed uninteresting in VR, as well as not fitting with the song I had chosen. Due to this, I decided to remodel my entire project, asking advice on a Discord server I frequented:

When listening to the song, this is what people on the server had to say about what it made them think of:

From this, I based the idea of my new project scene, creating a set of floating beach islands occupied by different people. While also fitting with the song more, the floating islands also worked in the 360 degree setting of VR, with islands all around you for the viewer to look at. Using Autodesk Maya, I modelled and textured a few basic islands, before using a few Unity store assets to occupy it with things such as a palm tree, beach chairs, and more. I also created a few simple models myself, such a a surfboard, and a shark fin which I later animated to swim around a pool of water I created.

With the basic scene created, I began my thoughts into more animated elements to add to it, searching into mixamo models and animations, as well as a possible way to get a “seal playing a sax” into the scene.

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