ANIMA - XR Cultural Heritage Prototype

Reimagining history through the lens of Extended Reality (XR).

ANIMA is an Augmented Reality (AR) experience designed to bridge the gap between static historical art and digital-native audiences. By utilizing image tracking and real-time rendering, this prototype transforms classic 2D paintings into immersive, 3D spatial narratives, allowing users to step inside the frame.

The Concept

Traditional museum experiences often struggle to engage modern audiences with static exhibits. ANIMA proposes a solution where passive observation is replaced by active exploration. The project focuses on Albanian cultural heritage, specifically the works of Kolë Idromeno and Spiro Xega, deconstructing them to reveal the stories, depth, and atmosphere hidden within the canvas.

Technical Mechanics & Features

This project was developed as a "Vertical Slice" to demonstrate the potential of XR in cultural preservation.

• 2.5D "Paper Theater" Parallax: Using a custom workflow in Photopea and Unity, paintings are separated into depth layers (Background, Mid, Fore). This creates a parallax effect in Z-space, giving the illusion of 3D volume as the user physically moves around the artwork.
• Custom Shader Development: Utilized Unity Shader Graph to create dynamic "Dissolve/Construction" effects. The paintings do not just appear; they "construct" themselves upon recognition, visualizing the transition from physical to digital.
• Interactive Raycasting: C# scripting handles user input, allowing users to tap specific elements of the painting to trigger UI information panels and dissolve effects.
• Spatial Audio: The experience implements 3D spatial sound. As users move their device closer to specific subjects (e.g., a musician in the painting), the audio mix changes dynamically, creating a sonic landscape that matches the visual depth.

Accessibility & Social Impact

Technology should be inclusive. ANIMA integrates specific features to make cultural heritage accessible to a wider audience, including the visually impaired:

• Text-to-Speech: Automated narration for exhibit labels.
• Enhanced Visuals: High-contrast modes for better visibility.
• Audio-First Storytelling: Narratives designed to be understood through sound alone.

Future Roadmap

The current prototype lays the foundation for a larger platform. Future development plans include integrating AI to power Non-Playable Characters (NPCs) within the paintings. This would allow users to "speak" to historical figures and receive historically accurate responses generated from archival data in real-time.

Tools Used: Unity (AR Foundation), C#, Shader Graph, Photopea, Audacity.
Role: XR Developer & Experience Designer.
Status: Prototype / Vertical Slice.