Introduction

This course focuses on the implementation of 3D virtual worlds. The primary focus is on network-oriented interactive 3D environments, however a number of the methods and techniques that we will look at (in particular with regards to modelling and animation) are equally appropriate to the creation of prerendered 3D animations.

By way of introduction we will look at the concept of VR and how VR technology is being used, in order to provide a little inspiration before we look at how virtual worlds are built, and which technologies are commonly used to deliver interactive 3D experiences.

VR Definition

“Virtual Reality: A computer system used to create an artificial world in which the user has the impression of being in that world and the ability to navigate through the world and manipulate objects in the world.”

- C. Manetta and R. Blade in “Glossary of Virtual Reality Terminology” in the International Journal of Virtual Reality, Vol.1 Nr.2 1995.

VR is a user interface technology that literally puts the user into the simulation loop.

User tasks are of a more perceptual (rather than purely cognitive) nature than conventional command-line or 2D desktop interfaces.

The aim of VR technology is to create a sense of presence.

Common alternatives to the term "VR" include: Artificial Reality, Simulated Reality, Virtual Environments, Virtual Worlds, Synthetic Environments, Interactive Visual Simulation, Cyberspace, Interactive 3D, Web3D, …

Main types of VR

Virtual worlds can be presented to the user in a variety of manners:

• Desktop
  • 3D environment on a computer monitor
• Projected
  • 3D environment projected onto a large screen
• Semi-Immersive
  • 3D environment that surrounds the user without totally excluding objects in the physical world from view
• Immersive
  • 3D environment seen through a head-mounted display
• Augmented
  • 3D environment mixed with physical environment (e.g. head-up display)

In immersive VR systems, the user’s sensory inputs receive data generated by a computer rather than from the physical world. In this course, we will concentrate primarily on network-oriented interactive 3D desktop environments rather than immersive VR systems.

Applications

3D technology is being used in an enormous number of ways.

Design and prototyping

Architecture Can explore a building before it has been built Can demonstrate how a new building development fits into the existing landscape Can interactively perform interior design New ideas can be visualised quickly and easily Product and engineering design Visualise and fly though a design Perform ergonomic studies visually Analyse collision and clearance Quickly experiment with new design ideas Plan manufacturing and maintenance Simulate interaction with the virtual prototype

Training and simulation

Vehicle simulators Car, lorry, tank, ship, and flight simulators Hazardous or difficult operations Nuclear or chemical plant maintenance Locating and fixing equipment Bomb defusal Surgery Practice performing surgery Perform surgery on a remote patients Rehabilitation Phobia therapy Use VR input devices and telepresence to enable handicapped people to do things that would otherwise be impossible for them to do Enable handicapped people to visit/see places that they would be otherwise unable to experience Use VR to teach new skills in a safe, controlled, environment

Education and conferencing

Education Visualise concepts Visualise the past ('Virtual Heritage') Conferencing and Virtual Classrooms Conferencing:Virtual meetings and classrooms Enables virtual teams of experts at geographically remote locations to work efficiently together Discuss design ideas or train over a computer network Less network load than video conferencing Reduce travel costs

Art and Entertainment

Art Virtual galleries and museums Virtual theatres As a new visual/sensory medium Entertainment Games Sport simulators Edutainment

Business and data visualisation

Business 3D visualisation of complex financial information Demonstrate customisable products to customers (cars, kitchens,...) E-Commerce Scientific visualisation View complex data sets to gain greater insight and understanding Complex molecular structures Geological structures Financial information Visualise satellite data, such as terrain and weather data Visualising Cyberspace 3D navigational interfaces to the Net Visualising computer networks

In addition to the above there are a large number of areas where interactive 3D can be usefully integrated into multimedia systems to provide a rich method of presenting 3D (and other n-dimensional, where n>2) data.