Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
user's eyes. The glasses are synchronized with the projectors so that each eye only sees the
correct image. Since the projectors are positioned outside of the cube, mirrors often reduce
the distance required from the projectors to the screens. One or more computers, often SGI
workstations, drive the projectors. Clusters of desktop PCs are popular to run CAVEs,
because
they
cost
less
and
run
faster
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
Cave_Automatic_Virtual_Environment).
4.6.4 Developments in CAVE research
The biggest issue that researchers are faced with when it comes to the CAVE is size and cost.
Researchers have realized this and have come up with a derivative of the CAVE system,
called ImmersaDesk. With the ImmersaDesk, the user looks at one projection screen instead
of being completely blocked out from the outside world, as is the case with the original
CAVE. The idea behind the ImmersaDesk is that it is a single screen placed on a 45-degree
angle so that the person using the machine has the opportunity to look forward and
downward. The screen is 4' X 5', so it is wide enough to give the user the width that they
need to obtain the proper 3D experience. The 3D images come out by using the same glasses
as were used in the CAVE. This system uses sonic hand tracking and head tracking, so the
system still uses a computer to process the users' movements (http://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Cave_Automatic_Virtual_Environment).
This system is much more affordable and practical than the original CAVE system for some
obvious reasons. First, one does not need to create a “room inside of a room”. That is to say
that one does not need to place the ImmersaDesk inside of a pitch-black room that is large
enough to accommodate it. One projector is needed instead of four and only one projection
screen. One does not need a computer as expensive or with the same capabilities that are
necessary with the original CAVE. Another thing that makes the ImmersaDesk attractive is
the fact that since it was derived from the original CAVE, it is compatible with all of the
CAVE's software packages and also with all of the CAVE's libraries and interfaces
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cave_Automatic_Virtual_Environment).
4.6.5 Applications of CAVE
The concept of the original CAVE has been reapplied and is currently being used in a
variety of fields. Many universities own CAVE systems. CAVEs are used for many things.
Many engineering companies use CAVEs to enhance product development. Prototypes of
parts can be created and tested, interfaces can be developed, and factory layouts can be
simulated, all before spending any money on physical parts. This gives engineers a better
idea of how a part will behave in the entire product (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
Cave_Automatic_Virtual_Environment).
5. Software tools for VR application development
As interest in Virtual Reality technology has increased, so has the number of tools
available to the developers of virtual worlds. Some of these are libraries and toolkits,
while others are application frameworks, and still others are full development
environments, integrating every aspect of the creation of a VR application - modeling,
coding, and execution - into a single package (Bierbaum & Just, 1998). The software
