VPARK - a Windows NT software platform for a virtual networked amusement park

Author

Seo, Hyewon ; Joslin, Chris ; Berner, Uwe ; Magnenat-Thalmann, Nadia ; Jovovic, Maja ; Esmerado, Joaquim ; Thalmann, Daniel ; Palmer, Ian

Author_Institution

MIRALab., Geneva Univ., Switzerland

fYear

2000

fDate

2000

Firstpage

309

Lastpage

315

Abstract

Presents the VPARK (Virtual Park) system, which includes a networked virtual environment (NVE) system called W-VLNET and an “attraction building system” that is able to create and modify the attractions used in the NVE. Both systems have been developed in the Windows NT environment. The paper outlines the techniques for communication, scene management, facial and body animation, and general user interaction modules. The use of VRML97 and MPEG-4 SHNC is overviewed for the purpose of outlining the compatability of the system with other similar virtual reality systems. The software provides realistic virtual actors as well as sets of high-level actions that are applicable to them in real-time. Related issues on obtaining actor models and animating them in real time are presented. The creation process of an attraction incorporates assembling animation units through a timeline. Using this software, the users are able to bring their own scenario-based applications into a shared virtual environment

Keywords

computer animation; entertainment; graphical user interfaces; groupware; network operating systems; virtual reality; MPEG-4 SHNC; Microsoft Windows NT software platform; VPARK; VRML97; Virtual Park; W-VLNET; animation unit assembly; attraction building system; body animation; communication techniques; compatability; facial animation; high-level actions; networked virtual environment system; real-time actor model animation; realistic virtual actors; scenario-based applications; scene management; shared virtual environment; timeline; user interaction modules; virtual humans; virtual networked amusement park; virtual reality system; Animation; Assembly; Computer graphics; Humans; Layout; MPEG 4 Standard; Real time systems; Virtual environment; Virtual reality; Windows;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Computer Graphics International, 2000. Proceedings

Conference_Location

Geneva

Print_ISBN

0-7695-0643-7

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/CGI.2000.852347

Filename

852347