Virtual Reality Seminar
Introduction
Virtual environment technology has applications in many fields of study from the arts and entertainmcent to psychological research. This five-day short course is designed to provide intensive training in the use of immersive virtual environment technology as a tool for research and training. Participants will gain the necessary technological knowledge and hands-on experience with software to create expansive artificial environments.
Course Approach
The WorldViz Development Seminar for VR Applications will provide broad training in the use of immersive virtual environment technology as a tool for research and training. Institute participants will receive appropriate methodological, technological, software, and data collection training to enable them to use state-of-the-art immersive virtual technology to construct complex interactive simulations.
Participant Prerequisites
While there is no formal requirement for a computer programming background, some basic computer programming skills are required to participate in this course. If a participant has never programmed before, she/he will need to learn fundamental programming on her/his own. Upon acceptance, recommended online materials for learning fundamental programming will be made available.
DAY 1
- Introduction to IVE and its use in behavior research and training applications
- General methodological and technical issues
- Vizard & Python programming introduction
- Individual project ideas
DAY 2
- 3D graphics principles
- Vizard flow control & event handling
- Human avatar modeling and animation
- Adding multimedia (3D sounds, movies, live video)
DAY 3
- Motion capture principles & practice (live demonstration using Vizard)
- Simple multi-user environments & networking methods
- Special research ethics question
- Environment creation tools overview / 3D modeling
DAY 4
- Animating & linking concepts
- Perception and human computer interface principles
- Mixed reality applications
- Real-time physics
DAY 5
- Shaders and how can they be used for advanced visual effects
- Image based rendering techniques
- Demonstration of participants projects
- Institute evaluations
