#VR in ATC's
9 messages in this thread
Roger,
We've got both the Sense8 Worldtoolkit, and Autodesk's CDK, plus a Spaceball
navigation device. No HMD yet, still working on the funding.
VR software and a navigation device will give you a "through the window" VR
system. Just think of VR as the next step in the design process, that being
the ability to move freely in, and around, your model. Great for all the
standard things, architectural, interior designs, mechanical assemblies,
industrial plant models. Also excellent for urban planning. In fact, perfect!
Imagine building a variety of models of a new building, or park, then placing
them on a site, then allowing members of a city council to take their own tour
in, around, through and above, the new design. Don't like that one, try this
one. This can all be done with a passive (non-interactive), through-the-window
VR system.
These concepts can be applied to many courses we teach right now to add a new
dimension to our capabilities.
Worldtoolkit requires a DXF file, whereas CDK can be launched by shelling out
of ACAD.
Shoe
Shoe….
Thanks for the ammunition on the VR approval process. Having both
systems would you absolutely suggest going with CDK? I know I might get
banished for this but…. I was more impressed with Sense 8. I also read an
unofficial review which appeared here a few months ago that strongly suggested
getting into Sense 8's WTK. Also the software was available up to hotter
platforms like DEC-alpha and SGI. What do you think?
Roger C@V
Roger,
I'm not the expert, but I think Sense8 is more dedicated to their product,
since it is their only one. I don't get a good feel for Autodesk's committment
to CDK. Bartz even said, "We'll see how it does on the market." Not a great
rallying cry for one of your products if you ask me.
I'd go with WTK. VR is their baby, and they've won awards for their software
development.
Shoe
Shoe…
Thanks for the comments and advice….
Roger C@V
Terence,
I see VR as a wonderful planning tool- as you describe-. The Windows version of
the sense8 tool seems like a good direction for this year. Penn State is about
to build a vr setup in their Arch. Lab. using aan SGI and the StereoGraphics
glasses and a projection system. This way an entire class can put on glasses
and critique a design. The HMD route was just to expensive, cumbersome and has
problems with sanitation. Now in the College of engineering there is a project
going on that I helped facilitate using the CDk to develop some AE lighting
design software that is an Acad add-on.(or will be)
Also seems that the HMD is not real comfortable for several hours of wearing.
We need better 3d interfaces and a way to easily position the place your
viewing from. I envision a clear globe with the model inside and anywhere I
touch I get that Vpoint on the screen of the model. More later– Off to a
wedding of a former student. He is about to enter a New kind of reality.<g>
PAT
Pat,
The clear globe idea is interesting. HMDs have a lot of drawbacks, and I'm
presently leaning to StereoGraphics glasses for our lab. I heard that using
any HMD is like putting someone else's sneaker on your face.
Shoe
Shoe….
I remember seeing something in the VR video festival called the cage or
the cave. It looked the most interesting as there was no HMD but a sense of
imersion as projectors displayed images around several large screens. The HMD
that sense8 displayed at MEckler gave me little or no sense of imersion.
Roger C@V
Roger,
Yes, the "Cave". It is interesting in that the virtual world is projected to
surfaces on all sides – except rear – and many people wearing goggles can
experience it.
What HMD was Sense8 using? Was it the Virtual Research Eyegen3?
Shoe
Shoe…
I'd have to chack out the HMD unit they were using.. It might have been
Virtual Research…The HMD was quite lightweight and non obtrusive. I also
remember their logo a green VR embossed on the front of the unit. Also tracking
control for head movement…
Roger C@V