- introduction of VR applications
- basic assignment(s) -- product demo(s)
- VR technologies -- input(s) & display(s)
- experience design -- user interface issues
- student presentation of concept final assignment(s)
- VR cases studies -- visit to (TXChange)
- mixed/augmented reality in game(s)
- presentation of final assignment(s)
content(s)
The course introduces virtual environments, more in particular 3D virtual environments, such as deployed for online games
and communities, as well as for scientific data visualisation. The course will focus on open standards for web 3D, that is
X3D and VRML, and also discuss extensions to flex / as3 for developing 3D immersive applications, such as
Papervision3D.
Recommended literature: X3D: Extensible 3D Graphics for Web Authors by Don Brutzman, Leonard Daly, The Morgan
Kaufmann Series in Interactive 3D Technology, 2007
Online reference(s):
Remark: It will be investigated whether and under what conditions it is possible to use the Utwente VR facility, the TXChange-Cell for the course:
prerequisites:
MA1, CS1, CS2, NM1, NM2
goals & attainment target(s)
The course aims at providing
- awareness of technologies for networked 3D virtual environment
- familiarity with 3D display technology, shaders and visual effects
- fluency with scripting dynamic behavior in 3D virtual worlds
- full literacy with building interactive X3D/VRML applications
Students are expected to have a sufficient degree of crafmanship, and will be stimulated to create visually appealing
place in curriculum:
NM4 is an introductory course in virtual environments for NM students. It builds on NM2, where animation was introduced
in a 2D context. It must be regarded as a prerequisite for NM5, in which game development is the topic, and as the
technical background for CA3: Hybrid World(s).
application area & motivating example(s)
Online Virtual Communities have a long history, and recently became popular by online role playing games such as World
of War Craft and Second Life. Also (web) 3D has gained a respected place in online product demos and infotainment.
teaching method(s)
The course will be organised around lectures, which will introduce basic examples and which will provide an in-depth
explanation of the technologies. The assignments will consist of a series of basic exercises and a final exercise
In which the students are required to develop a moderately complex interactive 3D application.
Regular feedback will be given in classroom sessions where students present their work as well as via online comments or
email. Grading will be based on basic assignments, the final assignment project with documentation, as well as an essay
in which a topic of choice, either technical or in relation to graphics programming and visual effects, is discussed in more
depth.
special facilities:
computer lab & presentation facilities
topic(s)
- web-based VR -- VRML/X3D
- authoring issues -- model(s), scenegraph(s) & event(s)
- VR experience design -- case studies
- augmented/mixed reality -- issues & toolkit(s)
(Artoolkit/ARiSE)
- immersive environment(s) -- narrative(s) vs game play
- game engine(s) -- (physical) model(s) & realism
NM4 target(s)
- skill(s) -- authoring, design
- knowledge -- VR technologies, spatial organisation
- theory -- user interface issues
- experience(s) -- construction of moderately complex VR
- attitude -- experimentation, aesthetics
session(s)
- introduction of VR applications
- basic assignment(s) -- product demo(s)
- VR technologies -- input(s) & display(s)
- experience design -- user interface issues
- student presentation of concept final assignment(s)
- VR cases studies -- visit to (TXChange)
- mixed/augmented reality in game(s)
- presentation of final assignment(s)
basic(s) -- virtual environments
- product(s) -- model a simple product
- interaction(s) -- extending the product demo
- animation(s) -- as a result of (user) interaction(s)
final(s) -- virtual envronments
- simulation(s) -- of natural or artificial system
- scenario-driven narrative(s) -- to promote collaboration
- augmented reality game -- using augmented/mixed reality technology
- X3D: Extensible 3D Graphics for Web Authors (The Morgan Kaufmann Series in Interactive 3D Technology)
by Don Brutzman, Leonard Daly
-- (online)
- A. Eliëns, topical media & game development -- media.eliens.net
advice for the student(s)
VR technologies can be surprisingly complex.
So,
in order to achieve interesting results, you'd
better
team up with other students,
whose skills are complentary to yours.
When developing a VR or augmented reality application,
keep
focus on the
user(s) experience,
and do
not get (too much) distracted by
technical issues, however interesting these may seem.
Get familiar with issues in
narrative theory
and the
semiotic(s) of realism,
and actively seek feedback by inviting your friends
and collegues to
try your application(s).
