Conveying Information using Storytelling in Visualisation and VR
Research Theme: Visualisation and Virtual Environments
Project status: Project available for TU Delft Master students!
Posted January 2006 by Gerwin de Haan
Introduction
Visualisation and VR techniques are used to explore, analyse and gain insight into complex datasets from different areas. The actions and results of these interactive processes are often difficult to store and to communicate to others. In many situations, the process only results in (a set of) final images or movies which are in publications and presentations. Preferably, a demo application is used with which the user's actions, which lead to the final results, can be repeated. The problem here is that only domain- and/or VR experts may be able to manually re-enact the necessary actions to find the many interesting areas and events in space and time. Also, this may require many tedious navigation operations and parameter tuning for each demo session. To come towards a solution, we propose the following assignments:
Project Desription
Enhancing Navigation for Data Exploration in VR
First, we want to allow the user to store comfortable viewpoints and parameter settings, which, combined as "Lookmarks", show interesting aspects of the data. Additionally, we can employ information entropy to catch "best" viewports on important aspects of the data. These viewpoints can help in the navigation and presentation of the data. Then, we want to look into interactive and automated methods for generating "optimal" animations between these viewpoints. We plan to navigate in such a way that the viewers maintain their orientation and comprehension. Metaphors from storytelling and cinematographic techniques can be used to enhance the perception and (interactive) presentation of the data. In collaborative situations, you can hint other users to move to your vantage point, to which they will be navigated automatically and seamless.
Interactive Session Recording (this assignment is not yet complete, contact us for more details)
Your work
After a short general introduction into VR and navigation techniques, you first perform a literature study to investigate related work in this field. Based on this overview and insights, we try to come up with a detailed design for new interaction techniques. Then, together with the other VR researchers, you will implement these techniques and integrate them in our existing VR software library. Finally, the techniques will be applied and tested in real applications on our different Virtual Reality set-ups. You can work both in the Computer Graphics Lab at the 12th floor, as well as in the VR Lab at the Physics department.
For more information, contact Gerwin de Haan.