Contents
1 Virtual Reality and Virtual Environments
1.0 Introduction
1.1 Computer graphics
1.2 Real-time computer graphics
1.3 Flight simulation
1.4 Virtual environments
1.5 Virtually here
1.6 What is required?
1.7 The benifits of virtual reality
2 Historical Development of VR
2.0 Introduction
2.1 Scientific landmarks
3 3D Computer Graphics
3.0 Introduction
3.1 The virtual world space
3.2 Positioning the virtual observer
3.3 The perspective projection
3.4 Human vision
3.5 Stereo perspective projection
3.6 3D clipping
3.7 Colour theory
3.8 Simple 3D modelling
3.9 Illumination models
3.10 Reflection models
3.11 Shading algorithms
3.12 Radiosity
3.13 Hidden-surface removal
3.14 Realism
3.15 Stereographic images
4 Geometric Modelling
4.0 Introduction
4.1 From 2D to 3D
4.2 3D space curves
4.3 3D boundary representation
4.4 Other modelling strategies
5 Geometrical Transformations
5.0 Introduction
5.1 Frames of reference
5.2 Modelling transformations
5.3 Instances
5.4 Picking
5.5 Flying
5.6 Scaling the VE
5.7 Collision detection
6 A Generic VR System
6.0 Introduction
6.1 The virtual environment
6.2 The computer environment
6.3 VR technology
6.4 Modes of interaction
6.5 VR systems
7 Animating the Virtual Environment
7.0 Introduction
7.1 The dynamics of numbers
7.2 The animation of objects
7.3 Shape and object inbetweening
7.4 Free-form deformation
7.5 Particle systems
8 Physical Simulation
8.0 Introduction
8.1 Objects falling in a gravitional field
8.2 Rotating wheels
8.3 Elastic collisions
8.4 Projectiles
8.5 Simple Pendulums
8.6 Springs
8.7 Flight dynamics of an aircraft
9 Human Factors
9.1 The eye
9.2 The ear
9.3 The somatic senses
9.4 Equilibrium
9.5 Conclusions
10 Virtual Reality Hardware
10.0 Introduction
10.1 Sensor Hardware
10.2 Head-coupled displays
10.3 Acoustic hardware
10.4 Integrated Vr systems
11 Virtual Reality Software
11.0 Introduction
11.1 Modelling virtual worlds
11.2 Physical simulation
11.3 VR toolkits
11.4 Summary
12 Virtual Reality Applications
12.0 Introduction
12.1 Engineering
12.2 Entertainment
12.3 Science
12.4 Training
12.5 Summary
13 The Future
13.0 Introduction
13.1 Virtual environments
13.2 Modes of interaction
13.3 Conclusion