3D Media for Instruction - Demo: Retroactive Gaussian Splatting
This 3D reconstruction utilizes archival NTSB drone footage to retroactively generate a high-fidelity Gaussian splat of the Francis Scott Key Bridge and the disabled cargo ship Dali. By processing unoptimized B-roll into a navigable spatial environment, the scene preserves the precise structural geometry and wreckage placement for immersive forensic analysis.
Controls:
Move: use W,A,S,D or arrow keys to move
Orbit (Rotate): Left-click and drag. This spins the camera around the model.
Pan: Right-click and drag (or use Ctrl + Left-click). This slides the camera view up, down, left, or right without rotating.
Zoom: Use the scroll wheel. If you are on a trackpad, use a two-finger pinch or swipe.
Focus/Recenter: Double-click on any part of the model. This moves the "pivot point" to that exact spot, making it easier to inspect fine details
The Retroactive Splatting Workflow
Footage Preparation: Downloaded the official NTSB drone footage from YouTube and trimmed the intro and outro to isolate the relevant aerial B-roll.
Platform Ingestion: Uploaded the edited video file directly through the web interface at
lumalabs.ai/dashboard/captureafter logging in.Reconstruction & Embedding: Allowed Luma’s cloud engine to process the unoptimized drone footage into a 3D Gaussian splat, then copied the generated embed code for deployment.
Transforming Archival Footage into Interactive Classrooms
Using retroactive Gaussian splatting transforms static, historical media into an interactive, spatial learning laboratory. For students and researchers, the ability to convert archival video into a navigable 3D environment fundamentally changes how we study complex, real-world events. Instead of passively viewing pre-determined camera angles, learners can independently explore structural failures, analyze spatial relationships, and conduct virtual site visits that would otherwise be impossible or unsafe to access.