By Jessica Ulett
TAMPA-- The Access 3D Lab is a newly-opened 3D lab on the USF campus.
It’s in the College of Arts & Sciences Multidisciplinary Complex (CMC). The Access 3D Lab is an innovative hub for students and professors to use for their own projects.
The lab is free for students and faculty and differs from other 3D labs on campus because it is the only shared user facility on campus. The lab is also partnered with the Advanced Visualization Center (AVC) on campus, where students are able to print their 3D models made in the Access 3D Lab.
Hands-on interactive workshops are held at the lab throughout the semester. Recently, Access 3D hosted a workshop on visualization for an intermediate sculpture course where students were able to learn how 3D data can be manipulated for art.
“The lab is really a collaborative space in which students can learn a lot about emerging technologies and also get to know other students and scholars who are working in related fields,” said Dr. Laura Harrison, director of the Access 3D Lab. “Really seeing how 3D is driving innovation across STEM, the arts, and the humanities.”
Harrison hopes to bring together researchers, professors, and students from different colleges at USF in the shared interest of 3D virtualization to invite further research and insight than what might have been possible within their own departments, creating an interdisciplinary approach to 3D learning.
Students do not need to know about 3D visualization to work with the Access 3D Lab. 3D visualization can be used for a variety of projects, including architectural modeling, prosthetics and digital reconstruction.
The lab uses many different tools for 3D visualization, including the Artec Space Spider that scans small objects and the FARO Arm that uses a laser to scan small and medium objects. The lab allows equipment to be taken off campus with restrictions.
Students learn how to turn photos taken by drones into 3D models in classes like drone storytelling, led by Professor Ryan Watson at the Zimmerman School of Mass Communications,
Future workshops for Access 3D include working with the Patel Center for Global Solutions to find ways to innovate sustainable tourism and collaborating with the Muma College of Business. They will also host workshops with the history and anthropology departments on campus.
Professors are encouraged to reach out to the Access 3D Lab so that students can meet in an interactive space where they are encouraged to work together. There is also a 24-seat, 3D equipped classroom located in the lab.
The lab is also doing outreach work with USF’s Preschool for Creative Learning, where preschool students can learn about 3D software and visualization.
During a consultation with a member of Access 3D Lab’s staff, students will be able to discuss project goals, instrumentation needs and timelines.
Students interested in working with the Access 3D Lab are encouraged to visit their website or send an email to access3d@usf.edu.
Connect with Access 3D on social media: @access3dlab