VR Fossil Scans
AR/VR Development - 2025
In this VR project, I employed Luma3D to scan both real and mock fossils, bringing them into a Unity-based virtual environment. This interactive, science-driven experience enables users to explore and engage with fossils in VR, mimicking real-life study and minimizing the risk of damage. To further enrich the educational experience, I also created informative videos using Premiere Pro. These videos, displayed alongside the fossils, feature animated reconstructions of the species and fun, educational facts, offering a comprehensive learning tool for museums, educational institutions, and enthusiasts alike.
View My ChannelTo create the 3D fossil assets for my VR project, I used Luma3D on my phone to scan a variety of specimens, including a mock Tyrannosaurus skull, a mock Smilodon skull, and several real fossils—a trilobite, a fish, and a crustacean. Each model required three complete rotations around the fossil to capture accurate textures, contours, and depth from all angles.
After Luma3D processed the captures, I converted each scan into .obj files, preserving their structural details for digital use. These 3D models were then imported into Unity, where they served as the foundation of an interactive VR experience designed to allow users to study fossils up close without risking damage to the real specimens. This process allowed me to transform physical paleontological artifacts into highly detailed digital objects ideal for education, research, and museum applications.
After converting each Luma3D scan into an .obj file, I imported the fossil models into Unity to build an interactive VR environment. Inside Unity, I positioned and scaled each fossil to ensure they matched realistic proportions and were easy to examine in VR. I then tested various VR interaction mechanics, allowing users to pick up, rotate, and inspect the fossils as if handling physical specimens. This required adjusting collider settings, interaction scripts, and physics to create smooth, natural movements within the virtual space.
To support learning and engagement, I also produced educational videos for each fossil using Adobe Premiere Pro. These videos featured species animations, contextual information, and fun paleontological facts that appeared above or alongside the fossils in VR. Together, these elements created a hands-on, immersive scientific experience designed for classrooms, museums, and anyone interested in exploring paleontology safely and interactively.
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