Cityscape Prototyping Virtual Environment

The major goal of this project was to produce a software application or tool-set that could be used in a Virtual Reality (VR) facility or desktop-based visualisation environment. The practical industrial application of this research is to enable building & construction developers to rapidly develop & visualise virtual environments (VEs) suited to the property development industry. These interactive models typically include buildings, vegetation, terrain, as well as features such as lakes and golf courses. More specifically, the project deliverables stated in the initial project proposal were:

• Develop software for the rapid creation of VEs suited to the property
• development industry
• Construct a VE delivery platform to suit laboratory and remote desktop
• visualisation equipment

Outcomes

The tools that have been implemented include -

• Navigator
• Menu System
• Laser Pointer
• Annotation System
• Waypoint Tracker

The Navigator provides the user with the ability to move within the virtual
environment. This tool uses a ‘driving’ metaphor, whereby users use a grab
gesture to activate the Navigator and can fly around by simply rotating their
hand.

Menu System

The Menu System provides a centralised place for users to activate additional tools that would otherwise clutter the current view and detract from the immersive experience of the virtual environment. The Menu System was designed to be as parametric & scalable as possible in order to make it easy to add new items.

Laser pointer

The virtual Laser Pointer enables users to highlight various features in the virtual environment. The user activates the Laser Pointer by using a grab gesture, which immediately renders a red 3D beam.

Annotation system

The virtual Annotation System uses the hyperlink metaphor to allow users to tag a virtual environment. These annotations are saved and are viewable by other users the next time the virtual environment is loaded.

Waypoint tracker

The Waypoint Tracker allows users to record paths for later playback. This is useful, for example, in kiosk or presentation situations where we want to record a virtual tour. The Waypoint Tracker can record up to 5 different paths (however, this is customisable). Users can record, play or clear paths through the Menu System. Future development could be done to allow a user to export recorded paths as a video to be accessible via the web user interface.

Participants

 Dr Andrew Lewis, Prof. Michael Blumenstein  - Griffith University

Industry Participants

V2i Pty Ltd
Southport, Gold Coast