Lux 3D Platform
Role:
Inventor, Head of Design
Duration:
1 Year
Medium:
Desktop Mac and PC
Tools:
Unity
Clients:
Comcast, Amazon, San Diego Comic Con
SUMMARY
Lux is a user-friendly toolkit and platform for creating and hosting social 3D virtual spaces. It supports dozens of simultaneous users on desktop and offers comprehensive features like spatial audio, video chat, text, and emoticons. Its intuitive interface simplifies asset import and layout, democratizing virtual environment creation.
APPROACH
As the lead designer of Lux, I was driven by the goal of creating a tool that would simplify and democratize the creation of customized 3D virtual spaces. Here were my goals and intentions:
Prioritize speed and accessibility. I wanted Lux to be easy to use, even for users without any prior experience with game engines.
Create a fun and playful interface. I wanted Lux to be more like a Nintendo game than a complex 3D software application.
Platform features: Enable rapid development and customization of 3D environments. This includes features such as video arrangement, 3D asset adjustment, and global color alteration.
Future vision: A standalone solution that allows clients to manage their 3D spaces independently. This would provide a comprehensive, end-to-end tool for 3D environment creation and customization.
RESULTS
Lux has been successfully implemented in nearly a dozen client projects, revealing unique challenges that have fueled its evolution.
A pivotal moment was our partnership with Amazon and Comcast, who independently operated Lux, demonstrating its user-friendly design and effectiveness.
Simple and Fast Customization
Inspired by world-builder games like Super Mario Maker and intuitive software like The Sims and Planet Coaster, I streamlined Lux's user experience to enable effortless object placement and rotation with drag-and-drop functionality and hotkeys, as well as auto-population of entire rooms for optimized ease of creation.
Color Picker
I designed a swift and intuitive color editing system for 3D environments. Users can select desired colors from a picker or input HEX codes for precise control, empowering them to express their creativity with speed and ease.
Mini Map
I worked with my engineering team to develop a miniature map feature that simplifies navigation and teleportation within the virtual environment. This functionality extends to include video chat, making it ideal for hosting large group gatherings and enhancing social interaction.