Interactive Models Based on Virtual Reality Technology Used in Civil Engineering Education - Teaching through Multi-User Virtual Environments - page 397

• Finally, two usual bay elements, a door and

a window, were modeled (Figure 6).

• During the animation, the student can con-

trol the length of time that any phase is
exhibited and observe the model using the
most suitable camera and zoom positions
for a correct perception of the details of
construction elements (Figure 7);

The complete geometric model was transferred
to the virtual reality system EON . In this system,
the visual simulation of the building process of
the wall, following a realistic plan of the construc-
tion progress, was programmed. The order in
which components are consecutively exhibited
and incorporated into the virtual model, represent
properly the physical evolution of the wall under
construction. For this effect, 23 phases of con-
struction were considered:

• It is possible to highlight the component

incorporated at each new phase and to ex-
amine it in detail (Figure 8);

• Included, under the window in which the

virtual scene is exhibited, is a bar, which
shows the progress of the construction.
Throughout the animation, the bar is filled,
progressively, with small rectangles sym-
bolizing the percentage built at the time of

Figure 5. 3D models of the vertical filler panels

Figure 6. 3D models of the bay elements and the complete 3D models of the wall