Design of a virtual environment aided by a model‐based formal approach using DEVS

Virtual environment (VE) is a modern computer technique that aims to provide an attracting and meaningful human–computer interacting platform, which can essentially help the human users to learn, to play or to be trained in a ‘like‐real’ situation. Recent advances in VE techniques have resulted in their being widely used in many areas, in particular, the E‐learning‐based training applications. Many researchers have developed the techniques for designing and implementing the 3D virtual environment; however, the existing approaches cannot fully catch up the increasing complexity of modern VE applications. In this paper, we designed and implemented a very attracting web‐based 3D virtual environment application that aims to help the training practice of personnel working in the radiology department of a hospital. Furthermore, we presented a model‐based formal approach using discrete event system specification (DEVS) to help us in validating the X3D components' behavior. As a step further, DEVS also helps to optimize our design through simulating the design alternatives. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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