A versatile large-scale multimodal VR system for cultural heritage visualization

Abstract

We describe the development and evaluation of a large-scale multimodal virtual reality simulation suitable for the visualization of cultural heritage sites and architectural planning. The system is demonstrated with a reconstruction of an ancient Greek temple in Messene that was created as part of a EU funded cultural heritage project (CREATE). The system utilizes a CAVE-like theatre consisting of head-tracked user localization, a haptic interface with two arms, and 3D sound. The haptic interface was coupled with a realistic physics engine allowing users to experience and fully appreciate the effort involved in the construction of architectural components and their changes through the ages. Initial user-based studies were carried out, to evaluate the usability and performance of the system. A simple task of stacking blocks was used to compare errors and timing in a haptics-enabled system with a haptics-disabled system. In addition, a qualitative study of the final system took place while it was installed in a museum.

Virtual reality tools for the west digital conservatory of archaeological heritage

“…Christou et al [10] used an immersive CAVElike structure combined with haptic devices and 3D sound for pedagogic purposes in a museum exhibition, but also as a tool for research. The Archave project [11] integrated also a CAVE-like structure and proposed tools for archaeologists to study historical sites.…”

Ancient Ruins Real-Time Interactive System Based on VR-GIS Platform

“…Meshes composed of tens or hundreds or millions of triangles are required to represent scene [6]. In order to perform real-time rendering, we focus on data layout optimization to improve cache coherence.…”

Simple Guidelines for Testing VR Applications

“…We have researched and analyzed the state of the art in evaluations connected to VR in some of our previous work, (Koeffel, 2007;Koeffel, 2008). In particular, more than 30 representative literature works concerned with evaluation of VR displays have been analyzed, and 15 of them have been chosen for a deeper study (Bayyari & Tudoreanu, 2006;Christou et al, 2006;Cliburn & Krantz, 2008;Demiralp et al, 2006;Elmqvist & Tudoreanu, 2006;Fink et al, 2004;McMahan et al, 2006;Ni et al, 2006;Patel et al, 2006;Qi et al, 2006;Sutcliffe et al, 2006;Takatalo et al, 2008;Vinayagamoorthy et al, 2006;Wang et al, 2006;Wilcox et al, 2006). The analyzed papers represent a determined cross-section of the mostly treated areas in VR and are related to the analysis of different visual display technologies in VR applications.…”

“…McMahan et al introduce a study that separates 3D interaction techniques and the level of immersion since it is very difficult to compare different VR systems, (McMahan et al, 2006). The development and evaluation of a large-scale multimodal VR simulation suitable for the visualization of cultural heritage sites and architectural planning is described by Christou et al (Christou et al, 2006). The most significant information about the user studies conducted in the analyzed papers had been collected, classified, and used as a base for our analysis.…”

“…2. Manipulation (Christou et al, 2006;McMahan et al, 2006;Patel et al, 2006;Sutcliffe et al, 2006). 3.…”