Introduction to Virtual Reality

1 Virtual Reality.- 1.1 Introduction.- 1.2 What Is VR?.- 1.3 Who Should Read This Book?.- 1.4 The Aims and Objectives of This Book.- 1.5 Assumptions Made in This Book.- 1.6 How to Use This Book.- 1.7 Some VR Concepts and Terms.- 1.8 Navigation and Interaction.- 1.9 Immersion and Presence.- 1.10 What Is Not VR?.- 1.11 The Internet.- 1.12 Summary.- 2 The Benefits of VR.- 2.1 Introduction.- 2.2 3D Visualization.- 2.3 Navigation.- 2.4 Interaction.- 2.5 Physical Simulation.- 2.6 VEs.- 2.7 Applications.- 2.8 Summary.- 3 3D Computer Graphics.- 3.1 Introduction.- 3.2 From Computer Graphics to VR.- 3.3 Modelling Objects.- 3.4 Dynamic Objects.- 3.5 Constraints.- 3.6 Collision Detection.- 3.7 Perspective Views.- 3.8 3D Clipping.- 3.9 Stereoscopic Vision.- 3.10 Rendering the Image.- 3.11 Rendering Algorithms.- 3.12 Texture Mapping.- 3.13 Bump Mapping.- 3.14 Environment Mapping.- 3.15 Shadows.- 3.16 Radiosity.- 3.17 Other Computer Graphics Techniques.- 3.18 Summary.- 4 Human Factors.- 4.1 Introduction.- 4.2 Vision.- 4.3 Vision and Display Technology.- 4.4 Hearing.- 4.5 Tactile.- 4.6 Equilibrium.- 4.7 Summary.- 5 VR Hardware.- 5.1 Introduction.- 5.2 Computers.- 5.3 Tracking.- 5.4 Input Devices.- 5.5 Output Devices.- 5.6 Glasses.- 5.7 Displays.- 5.8 Audio.- 5.9 Summary.- 6 VR Software.- 6.1 Introduction.- 6.2 VR Software Features.- 6.3 Web-Based VR.- 6.4 Division's dVISE.- 6.5 Blueberry3D.- 6.6 Boston Dynamics.- 6.7 MultiGen.- 6.8 Summary.- 7 VR Applications.- 7.1 Introduction.- 7.2 Industrial.- 7.3 Training Simulators.- 7.4 Entertainment.- 7.5 VR Centres.- 7.6 Summary.- 8 Conclusion.- 8.1 The Past.- 8.2 Today.- 8.3 Conclusion.- Appendices.- Appendix A VRML Web Sites.- Appendix B HMDs.- Appendix C Trackers.- Appendix D VRML Program.- Appendix E Web Sites for VR Products.- Referebces.