Overview
This article provides a broad overview of the Emerging Media Lab (EML) and of the kinds of resources it has available.
Hours of Operation & Schedule
If you are looking for Post Production's general hours of operation, that is linked here.
The Emerging Media Lab's daily operating hours tend to match the rest of Post Production; however, our weekends open up later into the semester as that is when student usage increases.
For our weekly schedule including classes and extracurriculars, as well as the dates for Regular and Extended hours, please refer to the Emerging Media Lab (EML) class schedule.
EML Facilities & Resources
Ansin 312 Lab
This is a classroom-style computer lab which hosts and supports courses for analytical drawing/character design, computer animation, interactive media, game design & development, visual scripting virtual production as well as extended reality/new media projects. The lab is equipped with 16 Windows workstations, each of which uses a Wacom Cintiq Pro 24" drawing monitor, for which pens can be checked out from the EML Annex (Ansin 314).
The Teaching Station, is similarly equipped with a workstation PC and Wacom Cintiq monitor. Furthermore, it also has available a remote controlled Panasonic projector and lowerable screen, a Kramer HDMI switcher, a Bluray disk player, an Elmo document camera. For the XR Studio, it's equipped with an Atomos Neon 17" HDR monitor, a Streamdeck, an AdderLink XD KVM, and Monogram modular control interfaces. In context/use for Virtual Production, this can also be referred to as the XR Operator's station.
VR Suites
These are separate rooms equipped with individual workstations, with the same software build as in the Ansin 312 lab. Additionally, these rooms have a small walkable space dedicated for operating a computer-tethered HTC Vive (PCVR) headset. If you are developing/prototyping a virtual reality environment/experience, then it's recommended you test it here, whether using the HTC Vive PCVR headsets or the Meta Quest standalone headsets.
Unfortunately, unlike the Ansin 312 workstations, these rooms do not have Wacom Cintiq monitors, instead providing a dual monitor setup. If you are looking to digitally draw, paint, and/or sculpt then you may find Wacom Intuos Pros vended out from the EML Annex (Ansin 314) and setup in the VR Suites. Don't hesitate to ask!
These Suites additionally provide display cases and storage space for tangible works such as sculptures, 3D prints, and other physical works.
Ansin 309 Studio
General Overview
The Ansin 309 Studio, by default, can serve as a spatial extension to the Ansin 312 classroom lab, or be separated off using a foldable partition. This space provides multiple modalities: observational drawing, VR development, showcasing, volumetric capturing, and, more recently, virtual production. This space provides a larger Virtual Reality play area, with a TV to show the user's perspective during critique/showcasing.
XR Studio & Virtual Production
You will be able to find more information regarding the XR Studio & Virtual Production here (Emerson sign-in currently required, will be public).
EML Workstation Builds
In contrast to the rest of Post Production Facilities, the Emerging Media Lab's computers run Windows 11 as the main operating system.
Software
The EML's workstations have installed software for animation, 3D content authoring, game engines, development tools, photogrammetry & 3D scanning, 360 video editing & VR content creation. For a detailed breakdown on what we have available, please refer to the Emerging Media Lab's Software table. Similar to the other Post Production labs, we have the entire Adobe Creative Suite available. Our versions should match the other labs'. For further information, please use the Digital Post Lab's Software & Hardware Table as reference.
For a comprehensive campus-wide overview of lab software, please check the list on Emerson IT Help Desk's website.
For any specific questions about our facilities' software builds or encounter any issues, please reach out to postproduction@emerson.edu.
Render Farm
For courses and capstones working in computer animation, we have a Render Farm to which jobs can be sent using the Muster Console application. The Render Farm allows you to submit and queue your animation project to have its frames undergo distributed/parallel rendering across multiple dedicated server computers. This tends to be faster than rendering on a single computer, and can significantly lessen render time while also being a (mostly) hands-off process when setup correctly.
For more information, please refer to the following:
Alternatively, in the event the render farm is queued up, you are also able to work with us to have your project rendered overnight.
Resources and Reservations
Workstations (Ansin 312)
By default for Emerging Media production classes, Ansin 312's workstations are available to be checked out/reserved whether via the Webcheckout Patron Portal or with a lab assistant's help in the EML Annex (Ansin 314). They can be checked out with accessories such as a Cintiq Pen, Express Key remote, and headphones. Don't hesitate to stop by the EML Annex and ask, if needed!
Annex Vendables
- x8 JVC HA-RX700 Headphones
- x18 Wacom Cintiq Stylus Pens
- x17 Wacom Express Key remotes
- x2 Wacom Intuos Pro Tablets, vendible with the VR Suites.
Teaching Station
- The Teaching Station has the same PC build and Wacom Cintiq monitor as the 16 student workstations.
- It also has access to a remote controlled projector (with a lowerable projector screen via control panel), with an HDMI switcher providing different output modes between the Teaching Station PC, Elmo document scanner, the Bluray disk player, and the visitor HDMI-connectable device (i.e. a laptop).
- Guest HDMI Connection Note: We are currently in the process of getting a rack-able front panel for the Teaching Station. Currently there is a guest HDMI cable available underneath the Teaching Station-side foldable classroom table, tucked underneath the cable protector.
- This also serves as the XR Operator Station, for controlling and monitoring the XR Studio (Ansin 309) when it is setup/used for Virtual Production.
VR Suites (Ansin 310/311)
As mentioned, these are rooms with individual workstations and a dual monitor setup, and can be reserved and setup with a VR headset.
These Suites are configured for PCVR, with specifically HTC Vive VR headsets. If need be, we are also able to tether Meta Quest headsets to the workstations and Suites, while connecting through the Meta Quest Link software.
(XR) Studio (Ansin 309)
This is a room serving as either a space extension to the Ansin 312 lab, as its own production space (separable by foldable partition), or as a larger VR workspace area. Recently, this has been augmented with virtual production-related functionalities with an LED screen, a real-time tracked camera rig, and DMX-controllable lighting fixtures and grid. This room additionally stores the Depthkit computer cart used for capturing volumetric video.
VR Headsets
HTC Vive
These are our current main PCVR headsets that connect to our PCs in the VR Suites and Studio. They rely on outside-in tracking by utilizing the base stations (or Lighthouses), usually situated at the corners of the play area. The play area is also marked in blue tape so that sufficient space can be provided by outside observers to the current headset user.
Oculus Quest and Meta Quest 2/3
These are our standalone headsets. The EML carries a single Oculus Quest 1 headsets, 8 Meta Quest headsets, and 8 new Meta Quest 3 headsets.
Please note: The Meta Quest 3 headsets should be all set for vending, and are set to Developer mode for use with game engines & developer tools. For any questions or encountered issues, please do not hesitate to contact the EML student staff and/or reach out to postproduction@emerson.edu.
Smartphone VR Headsets
We have a selection of smartphone-based headsets, that rely on your phone's gyroscopic sensor. The smartphone is inserted usually at the front of the headset, locked in, then worn like any other headset. Your phone's screen serves as the headset's monitor and can be used in select apps and/or VR videos found on YouTube.
3D Scanner
The EML also carries an Artec Eva (full version, with color), a structured light handheld 3D scanner that can be used to convert real life objects of varying size (scanning accuracy down to 0.1mm) into a textured 3D mesh. If you are looking to use this for a class and/or project, please send over your request to postproduction@emerson.edu.
For more information, please refer to the Artec Eva Guide.
Flatbed Scanner
Ansin 309 has an Epson Expression 12000XL scanner on top of a small cart beside the door. It is connected to the Ansin 309 Studio computer, and is used with the Epson Scan 2 software. You may find further information on the Using the 309 Flatbed Scanner article.
Sensors
XBox Kinect
The EML has XBox Kinect sensors if you are looking to use a depth-sensing camera/sensor for AR applications and/or body tracking for your project.
Azure Kinect
The smaller and newer Time of Flight (ToF) sensor that is vendible through the EDC depending on your enrolled classes. These are typically used for Volumetric Video capturing in our case, but can also be used for other applications depending on how your project integrates them (i.e. computer vision, body tracking). For in-depth documentation on these sensors, refer to Microsoft's Azure Kinect DK documentation. The EDC has five of these sensors.
If you are looking to setup in Ansin 309 for Volumetric Video capturing, especially with multiple sensors, please reach out to postproduction@emerson.edu with information regarding your project/request.
Closing
This has been the overview of the Emerging Media Lab. That said, some changes and additions are to be expected given the constantly changing/iterative nature of the area (and lab). As such, this article (and the others linked) are subject to semi-frequent revisions and updates. For questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to postproduction@emerson.edu.