CSCI N355 Virtual Reality

Section Information:

Welcome to CSCI N355 Introduction to Virtual Reality

Section 6490

The purpose of this course is twofold:

• Learn about how computers model the 3D environment
• Apply this knowledge in a specialized package and on ordinary PCs

Specifically, students will look at the Virtual Reality Markup Language (VRML) as an example of a 3 dimensional modeling environment. Students will build several models using this language. Students will cover the use of common primitive shapes as well as more complex forms such as extrusions and elevations. This class will also examine transformation of shapes, including translation, rotation, and scaling. This class will examine the use of textures, light, and sound to enhance the immersive effect, and we will look at the animation of worlds in real time through user interactive sensors, timed animations, and customized scripts.

Instructor: Andy Harris, email aharris@cs.iupui.edu

I'm available in my office (SL 280 D) Tues and Thurs from 1 PM until 2 PM. You can call or email for an appointment at another time if you prefer. Email is the best way to reach me. Phone messages are not usually recieved in time.

Schedule
Lecture: MW 11:00 ET 202 Lab: MW 12:00 SL 247
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Course Modules

Chapter	Topic
1	Shapes and Colors
2	Transformations
3	Text and Extrusions
4	Points, Lines, and Faces
5	Texture Mapping
6	Encapsulation
7	Sensors
8	Interpolation
9	Light and Sounds
10	Scripts

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Assignments

Project	Description	Due
UFO	Use all the primitive shapes to build a UFO. Add color to the shapes
Transformer	Use primitive shapes and tranform nodes to build a model of anything (well, anything legal and moral) use at least one rotation, scale, translation
Roller Coaster	Build a roller coaster based on a single extrusion as the track. See details in the Extrusion unit
Floor Plan	Use an indexed faceset to build a model from a floor plan. See hints in the notes on pointsets and facesets.
Photo Cube	Build a simple indexed faceset of a cube (or something at least as complex) and map six images to the cube. Force the browser to start in examine mode

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Documentation

• The official VRML 2.0 Specs
• VRML syntax 'cheat sheet' (in pdf format)

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Tools and Utilities

• circle maker Given a radius and a number of points, creates the right number of 2d points
• a color chooser done in VRML
• Rotation viewer Move the jet around and see what orientation is being used

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VRML Browsers

• Parallel Graphics home of cortona browser
• open VRML open-source VRML tool with 'lookit' browser
• open worlds Horizon browser looks promising
• CortonaFast and well-behaved
• cosmo player 2.0
• cosmo player 2.1

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VRML Demos

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• The chichen Itza project page
• IUPUI v1.0
• Mobius stripExtrusion sample.
• Tree in 1.0. Made with an editor, then exported to VRML
• Tree in 2.0. Made by hand in notepad
• Cube about as simple as you can get in VRML.
• An animated map.
• You asked for it... Virtual Cow Tipping!!!
• The airplane A model I built by hand (in vrml2.0)
• the bouncing face an example of animation in VRML 2.0
• The famous 'towers of Hanoi' puzzle. Try to move the disks to another pole without ever placing a larger disk on top of a smaller one.
• "virtual Andy"A simple VRML model of the human figure Notice the way the joints are designed (elbow moves with upper arm) Also note the animation.
• Sin Wave. Example of a custom interpolater in a script node
• The drunken ballA more complex script demonstrating fields in the script tag
• coaster An animated roller coaster built by hand. Press 'page down' to ride it!!
• Source of coaster
• my house Demonstrates coloring an indexed faceset, using viewpoints
• The custom car Complete with flames. (of course) Demonstrates texture mapping

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Links to other VRML sites

• VRML Works A terrific resource by "Reverend Bob" Crispen
• VRML archive at web3d.org
• Floppy's VRML Guide
• Pathfinder A beautiful model of the mars lander and rover.
• VRML Train set Need I say more?
• Halden VR Center Check out the swing coaster
• another incredible virtual train
• basketball game
• Parallel Graphics Demos Incredible demos

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