Introduction to Virtual RealityDuring the last decade the word virtual became one of the most exposed words in the English language. Today we have virtual universities, virtual offices, virtual pets, virtual actors, virtual museums, virtual doctors - and all because of virtual reality. So what is virtual reality? Essentially, virtual reality is about the navigation and manipulation of 3D computer-generated environments. A VR user is able to navigate by walking, running or even flying through a virtual environment and explore viewpoints that would be impossible in the real world. But the real benefit of VR is the ability to touch, animate, pickup and reposition virtual objects and create totally new configurations. Key topics: The origins of VR How VR works How VR is being used The field of Virtual Reality is moving very quickly and increasing numbers of people need to know more about this exciting subject. Introduction to Virtual Reality explains what VR is about, without going into the underlying mathematical techniques, but at the same time providing a solid understanding and foundation of the techniques and applications involved. |
Contents
1 | 1 |
2 | 8 |
3 | 26 |
Figure 313 Nonintersecting and intersecting collision volumes | 37 |
3D Computer Graphics | 39 |
4 | 54 |
Colour Plates | 56 |
Plate 5 Raytraced view of a restaurant buffet | 56 |
7 | 116 |
Figure 73 TJ Image courtesy of Transom Corporation | 121 |
8 | 139 |
Glossary | 142 |
Appendix A | 152 |
Appendix B | 154 |
Appendix C | 155 |
Appendix D | 156 |
Plate 15 A 360 view of a car interior | 56 |
Plate 23 DIGuy 3D models positioned in a | 56 |
5 | 69 |
6 | 91 |
Appendix E | 158 |
References | 160 |
Index | 161 |
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Common terms and phrases
3D objects algorithm animation applications assemblies audio behaviour Blueberry3D Boston Dynamics Browser collision detection collision volumes colour complex computer games computer graphics coordinates create cues database depth developed device distance dVISE effect engineering Evans & Sutherland example Figure flight simulator geometry glasses glove head-mounted displays host computer Image courtesy industry interaction interface latency LightWorks module monitor motion platform move MultiGen navigation optical physical pixels plane Plate polygons position possible radiosity ray tracing real world real-time receptors rendering retina rotate scene scene graph screen sensations shows software tools sound Spaceball stereopsis stereoscopic surface techniques Teesside University television texture map touch trackers triangles update rate vertical vestibular system virtual objects virtual product virtual reality virtual world vision visual VR Centre VR software VR system VRML workstations Z-buffer