VR Class Projects: Mini-Cave
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The aim of this project is to explore if PCs (hardware and software)
can be used as basis of a Virtual Environment we currently call
"Mini-Cave". Try to answer the following questions:

+ Can you install the following hardware (a PC, projection device, and
stereoscopic shutterglases - more details later on)
to produce a stereoscopic 3D image? You should set up the equipment
in room 142 ("Holodeck") and use the back wall as the projection screen.

+ At which rate can you create the stereoscopic images within the computer,
i.e., how many left eye and right eye images can you produce per second?
Is the projection device capable to project images at the same frequency
or are some of its colors too slow for such a frequency? In the latter
case you will see parts of the image remain visible for more than
1/frequency seconds and therefore have a distorted 3D impression.

+ Transfer one of the current SGI-based 3D applications into a PC-based
3D application. This will mostly require to rewrite GL functions into
OpenGL functions. We think that the "flight simulator" might be a
good example. Let us know if you expect any problems with
this application.

+ Compare the SGI-based and PC-based applications. Can you see any
difference? Which one do you prefer? Why? If there are different
opinions in your group, let us know about all these opinions.

+ To manoueuver in a Virtual Environment, one needs 3D interaction
capabilities. We  consider to make use of the human voice. For your
previously selected application prepare a list of meaningful words
that might be used for its control. Consider the following in case
of the "flight simulator": If you say "fly left", the application
does not know how far "left" you want it to go. So perhaps
"fly left by 30 degrees" might be more useful. But wouldn't
"left 30" do the same? Work closely with the Speech-Recognition
group. What are their recommendations on the maximum number of
words the application can understand to yield a high percentage
of correctly identified words in the speaker-independent case
(probably you do not want to use all numbers from 1 to 360
to select an angle)? What do they suggest as maximum number
of words in one command?

+ BONUS: If time permits, work with the Speech-Recognition group to combine
both projects, i.e., have the speech recognition software control
the Mini-Cave application.

Turn in a typewritten report (10-20 pages of text, plus appendix
such as computer code, computer output, protocols of experiments)
by MONDAY 4/27/98. Report everything that might be of interest.
If you planned to do something but couldn't realize it due to
unexpected problems, let us know about these problems.

Prepare a 30 minute talk for presentation in class on 
THURSDAY 4/30/98. Also be ready to give a demonstration of
your work some time the same week.