Lauren Stanton tries out the 3D Weatherball
WZZM - Ever want your own WZZM 13 Weatherball? Well, now you can, with the magic of augmented reality.
USA Today worked with Universal Studios to create a Harry Potter augmented reality display for the newspaper a couple of months ago. We thought it was pretty cool and decided to make one ourselves.
Augmented reality is a term for a live direct or indirect view of a physical real-world environment whose elements are merged with (or augmented by) virtual computer-generated imagery - creating a mixed reality. Or simply put, you hold something simple up to a webcam and it displays something much cooler.
Augmented reality can also be used to describe things like the yellow line that you see when watching a football game on TV for the 1st down markers. That line isn't really there - it is added by the computer.
For the WZZM 13 experiment, we created an augmented reality of the WZZM 13 Weatherball. To see the 3D Weatherball, go to www.wzzm13.com/weatherball and follow the directions. You will need a computer, a webcam, and a means of printing out the 13 Weatherball outline.
For more cool augmented reality experiences, google it! There are a lot of cool things out there. And watch the video to see Lauren Stanton try it!