Virtual Reality tan.tplt Definition: "Virtual Reality is the use of computer technology to create the effect of an interactive three-dimensional world in which the objects have a sense of spatial presence." (source - Steve Bryson, NASA Ames research lab) -from this paper Another Definition: "Virtual Reality" means "to have the effect of having concrete existence without actually having concrete existence". I think this is an impressively accurate description of what is special about what we are doing in VR. (from the same paper) It is NOT (necessarily): Immersive Realistic Based on specific technology It is: Interactive 3-Dimensional Spatial Sense Limitations of VR Real-time calculation Realistic resolution Interaction without lag Multi-user actions Common uses of VR Medicine Architecture Art Communication Military Education Entertainment Science The VRML Language Simplistic language Small files Suitable for web delivery Can be done by hand Some VRML examples Towers of Hanoi A roller coaster Virtual Cow-tipping The Chichen Itza Project Done as a class project In conjunction with CLIOH prototype project page The Virtual IUPUI tour Still in production To be used in orientation Animations and special effects will be added IUPUI