CSCI-B582  -  Lecture 1.1

Outline

• Course Information
• Virtual Reality defined
• VR Hardware
• VR Development Software
• VR Applications

Course Information

• Introductions
• Syllabus
• Agreeable Lab Time - Tue 6-8 or Thu 5-7
• Questions (?)

Virtual Reality defined

• no definitive definition for VR (due in part to media representations and cultural stereotypes)
  
  
• we can identify some common components of VR:
• immersive - sense of being surrounded by and present in the world
• wide FOV
• high-resolution
• stereo (graphics)
• interactive
• real-time
• viewer-centered perspective - see through your own eyes ans you move through and interact with the world
• head-tracking
• multi-sensory
• visual
• audio
• haptic (force feedback)
• tactile (touch)
• olfactory (!)
  
  
• related, but not the same as VR:
• Quicktime VR - image-based rendering
• VRML - file format for 3D geometry, interaction, and scripting
• Tele-Collaboration, multi-user worlds

VR Hardware

• Displays
• Head Mounted Display
• BOOM mounted Display
• Fish Tank
• (image by Andy Johnson)
• Projection Based
• CAVE
• IDesk/Workbench
• IWall
• Domes
• (image by Andy Johnson)
• Tracking
• magnetic
• sonic
• optical
• inertial
• Input Devices
• wands, joysticks, pens
• gloves: pinch or gesture
• physical props
• bikes, treadmills
• voice
• Output Devices
• video
• audio
• haptic
• Computing
• fast graphics
• multiple CPUs
• fast networks

VR Development Software

• Graphics APIs
• OpenGL
• Iris Performer
• Open Inventor
• Tracking software
• VRCO trackd
• Integration Software - windowing, callbacks, input, multi-process coordination and communication
• (e.g. GLUT)
• CAVE Libraries (EVL)
• VR Juggler (Iowa State)
• Audio
• audio server (e.g. VSS)
• audio scripting API
• Utilities
• modeling packages
• image manipulation programs
• file converters & optimizers
• Integrated Solutions
• Sense8 World-Up and World Toolkit
• dVISE suite from Division

VR Applications

• Art
• Entertainment
• Simulation & Training
• Scientific Visualization
• Engineering
• Medicine - surgery, phobias
• Architecture
• Education