Ronald D. Kriz
We propose to build an interface between 3D visual tools that work on both desktop workstations and a 3D CAVE hardware environment. Our 3D visualization software interface would be designed to allow researchers to fully develop applications on their desktop workstations and then to automatically convert their workstation application for use in the CAVE. Emphasis is placed on developing applications on the desktop workstation rather than entirely from within the CAVE. Since CAVE technology is expensive, it is difficult to justify developing a specific application entirely within the CAVE.
Researchers are more likely to use 3D CAVE hardware if they can continue to develop on their desktop workstations. This puts an emphasis on working with existing, widely used, turnkey software. We propose to work with AVS, MSI-BioSym, VNI, SGI and other companies that make 3D volume visualization tools. We will create this interface both as an independent post processor and as an integral part of the source code when possible. We anticipate that while working with CAVE hardware and software interfaces design we will encounter new ideas that will also enhance the 3D visualization techniques used on desktop workstations. For this we anticipate the purchase of some stero-scopic workstation displays.
We expect educators and researchers from a variety of disciplines on campus to participate in both designing and testing our workstation-CAVE interface tool, hence giving the HCI evaluation team the opportunity to study a much wider variety of 3D visualization applications. We plan to make our resulting software widely available to the general research community, DoD agencies and their industrial partners.