Code

COMPM076 (Also taught as: COMPGV07)

Year

4

Prerequisites

Term

1

Taught By

Anthony Steed (100%)

Aims

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the main concepts and practical issues in constructing and understanding Virtual Environments, and how people respond to a VE experience. Given the background of the course teachers, the focus on the technical side will be more on the visual aspects of VEs. A central theme of the course will also be that the understanding of VEs can be best understood through the concepts of presence and shared presence.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course students should have an understanding of the core issues in VEs and have constructed a VE using a shared VE system.

Introduction

Virtual Environment Technology
Requirements
Applications

Interaction

3D Interaction tasks
Tracking
Input devices
System affordances
3D Widgets

Presence

Immersion and presence
Meaning and utility of presence
Measuring presence

Displays

3D and Stereo Viewing
HMDs, CAVEs and desks
Graphics Architectures

Programming Virtual Environments

Programming models
Simulation and animation
Programming for distribution ves

Devices

Haptic devices
Sound simulation
Augmented reality

Lecture presentations, peer-led seminars, and lab-classes.

The course has the following assessment components:

• Written Examination (2.5 hours, 70%)
• Coursework Section (2 pieces, 30%)

To pass this course, students must:

• Obtain an overall pass mark of 50% for all sections combined

The examination rubric is:
Answer three questions from five. All questions carry equal marks.

Computer Graphics And Virtual Environments - From Realism to Real-Time. Mel Slater, Yiorgos Chrysanthou, Anthony Steed, ISBN

0201-62420-6, Addison-Wesley, 2002.

Lecture notes, and coursework exercises.