Tutorial: Proximity Sensors

If you have trouble getting the code in this tutorial to work, you can find the complete example script proximitySensors.py in the \tutorials\proximitySensors directory.

Proximity sensors are used to check for proximity between Vizard objects and trigger events based on proximity. In this tutorial we'll use them for a sociological study related to personal space. The participant will be instructed to walk to specific locations in the piazza courtyard. Along the way, data will be collected that tells us whether or not the participant avoids avatars that are on the path. Proximity sensors will be used to determine when path destinations are reached and avatars are avoided.

Open an empty script and add the following code to set up the scene. Run the script and you'll see the same male avatar in three locations around the fountain. Each of these avatars is performing a different animation (sitting, standing, dancing). The purpose of this experiment is to investigate how the behavior of others affects a person's choice for personal space.

"""
You'll be given instructions to walk to specific locations within the courtyard.
When you reach the destination point wait there until you are given
further instructions.
"""
import viz
import vizact
import vizproximity
import viztask
import vizinfo

viz.setMultiSample(4)
viz.fov(60)
viz.go()

#Add info panel to display messages to participant
instructions = vizinfo.InfoPanel(icon=False,key=None)

#Add ambient sound
piazzaSound = viz.addAudio('piazza.mp3')
piazzaSound.play()
piazzaSound.loop()

piazza = viz.add('piazza.osgb')

#Move the viewpoint to the starting location
viz.MainView.move([10.5,0,20.5])
viz.MainView.setEuler([-90,0,0])

#Add male and female avatars in conversation
male = viz.addAvatar('vcc_male.cfg',pos=[-2.6,0,10.4],euler=[-40,0,0])
female = viz.addAvatar('vcc_female.cfg',pos=[-3.4,0,11.2],euler=[140,0,0])
male.state(14)
female.state(14)

#Add pigeon to make copies of
pigeon = viz.addAvatar('pigeon.cfg')
pigeon.visible(0)

#Add plant marker for participant to walk to
plantMarker = viz.addChild('plant.osgb',pos=[-10.3,0,20.6],scale=[0.5,0.5,0.5])

#Add crates marker for participant to walk to
crate1 = viz.addChild('crate.osgb',pos=[-9.9,0.3,5.7],scale=[0.6,0.6,0.6])
crate2 = crate1.clone(pos=[-9.8,0.3,5.05],euler=[5,0,0],scale=[0.6,0.6,0.6])
crate3 = crate1.clone(pos=[-9.8,0.9,5.35],euler=[-5,0,0],scale=[0.6,0.6,0.6])

#Boolean variables to store trial results
avoidSitting = True
avoidStanding = True
avoidDancing = True

pigeonPositions=[[-6.9,0,7.2],[3.3,0,14.5],[0.8,0,16],[-2.3,0,14.7],[2.9,0,-1.6],[-0.7,0,-1.7]]

for pos in pigeonPositions:
pigeon = pigeon.copy(pos=pos)
random_speed = vizact.method.setAnimationSpeed(0,vizact.randfloat(0.7,1.5))
random_walk = vizact.walkTo(pos=[vizact.randfloat(pos[0]-0.3,pos[0]+0.3),0,vizact.randfloat(pos[2]-0.5,pos[2]+0.5)])
random_animation = vizact.method.state(vizact.choice([1,3],vizact.RANDOM))
random_wait = vizact.waittime(vizact.randfloat(5.0,10.0))
pigeon_idle = vizact.sequence( random_speed, random_walk, random_animation, random_wait, viz.FOREVER)
pigeon.runAction(pigeon_idle)

#Add three avatars in different locations with different animations
avatar1 = viz.addAvatar('vcc_male2.cfg',pos=[2.1,0, 21.4],euler=[180,0,0],scale=[0.95,0.95,0.95])
avatar2 = avatar1.copy(pos=[-10.2,0,12],euler=[90,0,0])
avatar3 = avatar1.copy(pos=[1.5,0,5.6],euler=[180,0,0])
avatar1.state(6)
avatar2.state(1)
avatar3.state(5)