From June to December 2024, I worked as an intern at NASA Glenn Research Center's Graphics and Visualization (GVIS) Lab developing 3D visualizations of various facilities and projects for use in sharing the projects both internally and externally.
Below is one of the projects I worked on during my time at NASA, and I will update as soon as I get approval to share the others.
Manufactured Ecosystems
Manufactured Ecosystems is a VR visualization intended to educate the user on how technology could be used to replace or supplement various ecosystem services in the context of a hypothetical habitat on Mars. It was created based on research from the Manufactured Ecosystems project and collaboration with the University of Calgary. In the experience, the user explores the Mars habitat and interacts with various signs explaining the functions of the different technologies and the ideas behind them.
Software: Photoshop, Blender, Substance Painter, & Unreal Engine 5
Environment Flythrough
VR Playthrough
Process
I began by researching each element I wanted to incorporate into the visualizations, specifically focusing on research areas of the Manufactured Ecosystems project. I then created quick thumbnail sketches in pen and then more developed colored sketches.
Using the research and sketches, I modeled and textured each element and then created the graphics that would pop up when a user interacts with a sign as well as instructions for the start of the visualization. Each sign explains the ideas behind each piece of technology.
