Extending XR
Extending XR is a free training programme for adults who live in York and North Yorkshire who are looking to develop their skills in creative technology (where creative skills are combined with digital technologies to create new content, experiences and stories).
The first phase of Extending XR offers a series of three short workshops to help participants build foundational skills in creative digital tools including 3D scanning/modelling, basic animation/performance capture and creating a virtual environment.
Focused on an overarching theme of storytelling in a virtual world, each two-hour workshop provides an opportunity to build on the skills developed in the previous session. Participants can choose to attend as many or as few sessions as desired but are encouraged to attend all three workshops.
Taking place at venues in Harrogate, Malton, Richmond, Scarborough, Skipton, Whitby and York (scroll down for venue information and booking links), the workshops will teach participants how to get the best out of free tools and technologies. All equipment is provided and participants will receive resources to support continued learning after the sessions have finished.
The programme welcomes participants from a wide-range of creative backgrounds but anyone with existing knowledge of the workshop content (summarised in the following section) might find that the training covers topics that are already part of their workflows and creative practice.
About the workshops
Workshop one: 3D scanning objects and characters
Learn how to use a smart device (a mobile phone or a tablet) to scan physical objects, people and places and load them into a virtual environment.
Participants will gain skills in the following software and technologies:
- Scaniverse, a free 3D scanning app that works on both iOS and Android phones
- Blender, a free, 3D graphics software platform used for creating 3D art and animations.
Who is this for: Anyone with an interest in digitising physical objects and individuals to create a virtual story, digital archive or environment.
Workshop two: Character animation and performance capture
Learn how to apply animations to a virtual character and record animations using a webcam and AI software to automate tasks and enhance efficiency.
Participants will gain skills in the following software and technologies:
- Mixamo, a web-based library of 3D character animation
- Rokoko Vision, a free AI motion capture tool
- Blender, a free, 3D graphics software platform used for creating 3D art and animations.
Who is this for: Anyone with an interest in using motion capture and animation to bring physical objects or beings to life within a virtual environment.
Workshop three: Virtual world creation and exploration
Learn how to create a virtual world using online resources and your own real world scans. You will then explore the world using a smart device to position the virtual camera, set up shots and adjust camera settings.
Participants will gain skills in the following software and technologies:
- Virtual world creation in Blender, a free 3D graphics software platform used for creating 3D art and animations.
- Dynamic virtual camera control driven by real-world motion streamed from your tablet or phone to Blender.
Who is this for: Anyone interested in creating virtual worlds and exploring these worlds dynamically and intuitively.
Workshop venues, dates and booking links
Please note that all Extending XR workshops are free of charge. The booking process will automatically display a ‘billing details’ page that is used for paid courses run by other projects at the University of York. Please tick the ‘I have read and accept the terms and conditions’ box and leave all other fields on the billing page blank to continue with your booking.
If you are experiencing any difficulties with the booking platform, please email our team at [email protected] leaving your name and a contact number and we’ll help get you registered and booked onto the workshop/s you’d like to attend.
Harrogate
Venue: The Mercer Art Gallery, 31 Swan Rd, Harrogate HG1 2SA
Workshop 1: 3D scanning objects and characters: 6 May (2pm to 4pm)
Workshop 1: 3D scanning objects and characters: 6 May (6pm to 8pm)
Workshop 2: Character animation and performance capture: 13 May (2pm to 4pm)
Workshop 2: Character animation and performance capture: 13 May (6pm to 8pm)
Workshop 3: Virtual world creation and exploration: 20 May (2pm to 4pm)
Workshop 3: Virtual world creation and exploration: 20 May (6pm to 8pm)
Malton
Venue: Art Happens Here (AHH) Studio Collective, Community House, Wentworth Street, Malton YO17 7BN
Workshop 1: 3D scanning objects and characters: 24 March (2pm to 4pm)
Workshop 2: Character animation and performance capture: 31 March (2pm to 4pm)
Workshop 3 daytime option: Virtual world creation and exploration: 7 April (2pm to 4pm)
Workshop 3 evening option: Virtual world creation and exploration: 7 April (6pm to 8pm)
Richmond
Venue, The Station, Station Yard, Richmond DL10 4LD
Workshop 1: 3D scanning objects and characters: 17 April (2pm to 4pm)
Workshop 1: 3D scanning objects and characters: 17 April (6pm to 8pm)
Workshop 2: Character animation and performance capture: 24 April (2pm to 4pm)
Workshop 2: Character animation and performance capture: 24 April (6pm to 8pm)
Workshop 3: Virtual world creation and exploration: 1 May (2pm to 4pm)
Workshop 3: Virtual world creation and exploration: 1 May (6pm to 8pm)
Scarborough
Venue: Woodend Gallery and Studios, The Crescent, Scarborough YO11 2PW
Workshop 1: 3D scanning objects and characters: 14 April (2pm to 4pm)
Workshop 1: 3D scanning objects and characters: 14 April (6pm to 8pm)
Workshop 2: Character animation and performance capture: 21 April (2pm to 4pm)
Workshop 2: Character animation and performance capture: 21 April (6pm to 8pm)
Workshop 3: Virtual world creation and exploration: 28 April (2pm to 4pm)
Workshop 3: Virtual world creation and exploration: 28 April (6pm to 8pm)
Settle
Settle Stories, Dawsons Court, Settle BD24 9ED
Workshop 1: 3D scanning objects and characters: 7 July (2pm to 4pm)
Workshop 1: 3D scanning objects and characters: 7 July (6pm to 8pm)
Workshop 2: Character animation and performance capture: 14 July (2pm to 4pm)
Workshop 2: Character animation and performance capture: 14 July (6pm to 8pm)
Workshop 3: Virtual world creation and exploration: 21 July (2pm to 4pm)
Workshop 3: Virtual world creation and exploration: 21 July (6pm to 8pm)
Skipton
Venue: Craven Arts House, 55 Otley St, Skipton BD23 1ET
Workshop 1: 3D scanning objects and characters: 6 July (2pm to 4pm)
Workshop 1: 3D scanning objects and characters: 6 July (6pm to 8pm)
Workshop 2: Character animation and performance capture: 13 July (2pm to 4pm)
Workshop 2: Character animation and performance capture: 13 July (6pm to 8pm)
Workshop 3: Virtual world creation and exploration: 20 July (2pm to 4pm)
Workshop 3: Virtual world creation and exploration: 20 July (6pm to 8pm)
Thirsk
Venue: Rural Arts, The Old Courthouse, 4 Westgate, Thirsk, YO7 1QS
Workshop 1: 3D scanning objects and characters: 12 May (2pm to 4pm)
Workshop 1: 3D scanning objects and characters: 12 May (6pm to 8pm)
Workshop 2: Character animation and performance capture: 19 May (2pm to 4pm)
Workshop 2: Character animation and performance capture: 19 May (6pm to 8pm)
Workshop 3: Virtual world creation and exploration: 26 May (2pm to 4pm)
Workshop 3: Virtual world creation and exploration: 26 May (6pm to 8pm)
Whitby
Venue: The Common Room, Unit 2, The Archway, off Skinner Street, Whitby, YO21 3AH
Workshop 1: 3D scanning objects and characters: 7 May (2pm to 4pm)
Workshop 1: 3D scanning objects and characters: 7 May (6pm to 8pm)
Workshop 2: Character animation and performance capture: 14 May (2pm to 4pm)
Workshop 2: Character animation and performance capture: 14 May (6pm to 8pm)
Workshop 3: Virtual world creation and exploration: 21 May (2pm to 4pm)
Workshop 3: Virtual world creation and exploration: 21 May (6pm to 8pm)
York
Venue: Patch, The Bonding Warehouse, Terry Ave, York YO1 6FA
Workshop 1: 3D scanning objects and characters: 16 March (2pm to 4pm)
Workshop 1: 3D scanning objects and characters: 16 March (6pm to 8pm)
Workshop 2: Character animation and performance capture: 23 March (2pm to 4pm)
Workshop 2: Character animation and performance capture: 23 March (6pm to 8pm)
Workshop 3: Virtual world creation and exploration: 30 March (2pm to 4pm)
Workshop 3: Virtual world creation and exploration: 30 March (6pm to 8pm)
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Visit our FAQs page for additional information about the first series of Extending XR workshops.
If your question isn’t covered in the FAQs, please email [email protected] with Extending XR in the subject box.
Extending XR is supported by David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire and funded by the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority.
Categories: Extending XR