John Vince

In recent years, computer graphics has evolved into four major disciplines: computer animation, image processing, visualization, and virtual reality. Now these technologies are converging into one seamless digital medium resulting in various tools that will transform the way we work in the next century. Virtual Worlds on the Internet examines how the latest developments in virtual environments, computer animation, communication networks, and the Internet are being configured to create revolutionary tools and systems. Vince and Earnshaw have selected twenty papers they believe will influence computer systems of the twenty-first century. The topics discussed in this book include:*A toolkit for the development of virtual environment applications for education and research *Behavior descriptions used in expansive virtual environments. *Different uses of VRML in information system interfaces. *An examination of research in virtual reality environment interfaces. *Five approaches to supporting changes in virtual environments. *How ATM networks can support multi-user 3D virtual environments. *The transmission of vector graphics and animations over narrow-band transmission channels. *An exploration of an implicit modeling system including an interactive editor for building models. *A description of the advantages of 3D environments for shopping applications on the Internet. *The prototype of a software tool that automatically generates 3D models of virtual supermarkets. *A "VR Workbench" that displays strategic information viewable by a user groups. *An overview of a VR display system describing its workbench technology and its applications. *How to separate the functionality of a multi-user 3D modeling system into functional tools with interface specifications.

Essential Virtual Reality fast tells you what is and isn VR! John Vince provides a potted history of Virtual Reality and explains in easy-to-understand terms what computer graphics are and how they are integral to VR systems. You'll see how important it is to understand the part human factors have to play in creating a good VR system (sound, sight, touch and balance) and take a look at a working VR system. You'll get the answers to questions like: - What hardware and software is used? - How does multi-user VR work? - Can you network VR? - What are the applications? - What is the future for VR? And you'll have a far better understanding of the impact these exciting techniques will have on our everyday lives.