iDome

Project Overview

ARC Investigators: Dennis Del Favero, Jeffrey Shaw, Neil Brown, Volker Kuchelmeister, Nikos Papastergiadis, Scott McQuire, Andy Arthurs, Sarah Kenderdine, Kevin Sumption, Grace Cochrane
Project Directors: Dennis Del Favero, Jeffrey Shaw, Volker Kuchelmeister, Adrian Hardjono, Matthew McGinity
Programmers: Volker Kuchelmeister, Adrian Hardjono, Matthew McGinity
Project Funding: ARC LP0453638, Questacon/Scitech, University of Wollongong, Bourke Museum
2006-2010

idome_1
iDome in iCinema Scientia Facility

iDome is a proprietry hardware/software platform developed by the iCinema Centre that offers a cost-effective and compact immersive visualisation environment for panoramic and spherical representations, video and/or computer generated. Ideally suited for museological applications, it is configured as a three to five meter fibreglass hemisphere that stands vertically in front of the viewer, with a projector, computer, surround audio equipment and user interface.

glass_meshmodel
Simulation of mirror projection and its distrortion mesh. Concieved and calculated by Paul Bourke.

Video documentation

Projection system

The iDome utilises a three meter fibreglass dome as the surface for 180 degree projection made possible by a high-resolution projector and a spherical mirror as reflection surface. Size and shape of this projection set-up covers the peripheral vision of the user standing directly in front of it and thus results in a truly immersive experience.

This approach has advantages over the “projector with fish eye lens” set up, used for the installation Conversations@the Studio at the Powerhouse Museum Sydney. It does not require a large projector stand (which partly blocks the view), is much more cost effective and can take advantage of even higher resolution projectors when they become available.
glass_dome_setups
Set up with fish eye lens (l) and alternative mirror approach®

Exhibition

  • Powerhouse Museum, Sydney, 2010
  • Darling River Journey, Back of Bourke Exhibition Centre, 2009
  • Australasian Planetarium Society Conference, Horizon Planetarium, Perth, 2008