The perception of spatial layout in visually simulated environments

Spatial perception and spatial layout distortions are discussed. It has been suggested that spatial quantitative data are needed to demonstrate the apparent distances in simulated environments. It is agreed that assuming that technical production of more realistic simulated scenes will eliminate the need to verify and experiment with the perceptual information in synthesized environments is unwise, for obvious reasons, and that a comparative methodology for verifying synthesized and real-world spatial perception should be developed. This can be accomplished through the quantification of perceptual judgments and physical actions. Further perceptual experimentation and validation will help visual simulation become a flexible tool for understanding safe human-machine operation