Virtual reality

[Archigeek]

Had a fun time the other day. I'm working on a business plan with some guys who do 3D environments, mostly for product manufacturers who want to see their products in 3D and in a 3D environment. So we got together with this professor at the U of M and went into their virtual reality lab. In the lab, they have two set ups. One with a gigantic screen that we didn't use, and then they have a virtual reality headset. The effect you got while wearing this headset was amazingly real.

What they'd done, was model the room we were in, so when you put the headset on you basically saw the room you had just been in. Using a point of reference that you were familiar with to start with was very clever, as it gave you a certain level of comfort to start out. Then he dropped most of the floor away, and you were standing on a catwalk, 3 stories up, and it was freaky. I could barely walk on the thing, that's how realistic it was. I was baby steps all the way. Anyway, it was pretty amazing what they're capable of doing, and if you ever get a chance to put on a good quality headset, (this one was a $28,000 piece of equipment), go for it.

[Sean]

Had a fun time the other day. I'm working on a business plan with some guys who do 3D environments, mostly for product manufacturers who want to see their products in 3D and in a 3D environment. So we got together with this professor at the U of M and went into their virtual reality lab. In the lab, they have two set ups. One with a gigantic screen that we didn't use, and then they have a virtual reality headset. The effect you got while wearing this headset was amazingly real.

What they'd done, was model the room we were in, so when you put the headset on you basically saw the room you had just been in. Using a point of reference that you were familiar with to start with was very clever, as it gave you a certain level of comfort to start out. Then he dropped most of the floor away, and you were standing on a catwalk, 3 stories up, and it was freaky. I could barely walk on the thing, that's how realistic it was. I was baby steps all the way. Anyway, it was pretty amazing what they're capable of doing, and if you ever get a chance to put on a good quality headset, (this one was a $28,000 piece of equipment), go for it.

So how long does it take to render a space? You could use that as a nifty tool to get some of your architecture clients educated as to what you're actually putting on paper.

[AnticorRifling]

Think of the potential in residental real estate as well. Just set up an office and give guided tours of all the available floor plans instead of building a few spec homes.

[RichardCranium]

Think of the potential in residental real estate as well. Just set up an office and give guided tours of all the available floor plans instead of building a few spec homes.

I'm ashamed that my first thought involved a three dimensional woman and a fleshlight.

[NocturnalRob]

If they're looking for a partner, they should talk to my man here. He's got that virtual reality shit on lock-down.

http://cinedork.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/jefffahey.gif

[Archigeek]

It renders space in real time, if you mean when you're walking around with the headset on. There was virtually zero lag. The better question might be how long does it take to render the environment when you're creating it. But that's what the other guys are amazingly good at. Sketch Up is an amazingly versatile program, and the environment we walked through was done in that. Additionally, we were able to plug in a store we'd drawn in Sketch Up and walk through that. The other guys we met with with work in a proprietary program called Buzz3D that's pretty amazing.

Rob, you can never know too many people. Tell your friend Jobe to send in a resume... he was a star.

[NocturnalRob]

Rob, you can never know too many people. Tell your friend Jobe to send in a resume... he was a star.
Jobe has no need for a resume. He IS virtual reality. Just ask SID 6.7.

http://img2.timeinc.net/ew/dynamic/imgs/061106/151527__virt_l.jpg

[Stanley Burrell]

Was it called "Pterodactyl Nightmare" or am I not getting the title right? One of the first, if not the first virtual reality simulators at your local video game arcade. 15 years ago. Anyone?