Virtual Reality (VR) technology has potentially wide applications in areas where it is more economical and safer for participants to experience virtual worlds rather than corresponding real worlds. However, VR applications are very limited due to the high cost of Virtual Environment (VE) development and comparatively low quality of the VE system. This thesis emphasizes the efficient construction of VEs in order to reduce the cost and lead time of VEs development. In addition, the thesis focuses on improving the quality of VE by enhancing the sense of realism (correct behavior) via Physically Based Behavior Modeling....[ Read more ]

Virtual Reality (VR) technology has potentially wide applications in areas where it is more economical and safer for participants to experience virtual worlds rather than corresponding real worlds. However, VR applications are very limited due to the high cost of Virtual Environment (VE) development and comparatively low quality of the VE system. This thesis emphasizes the efficient construction of VEs in order to reduce the cost and lead time of VEs development. In addition, the thesis focuses on improving the quality of VE by enhancing the sense of realism (correct behavior) via Physically Based Behavior Modeling.

Dynamical behavior modeling is of critical importance to enhance the sense of realism in VEs. A hierarchical structure for dynamical behavior modeling is proposed based on characteristics analysis of simulation entities and behavior levels in a VE. By comparing existing behavior modeling tools or methodologies, an Object-Oriented (O-O) approach is adopted. The flexibility, reusability problems of VE development are then partially solved. Physically based behavior modeling as an instance of dynamical behavior modeling is specially discussed.

It is necessary and valuable to integrate VR technology with complex System Engineering to make VR really useful. However, system complexity and immature VR technology limit the integration. Therefore, a framework for effective construction of VEs for complex processes or systems is needed. Integrated VE for Complex System (IVECS) is presented as a framework to solve the integration problem.

This framework handles from high-level process description to low-level behavior modeling. IDEF3 (Integrated DEFinition language) is used as process modeling tool and O-O dynamical behavior modeling is integrated in the IVECS. Behavior lib and property lib are used to reduce the VE construction time.

Though future work is still needed, it is hopeful that IVECS is able to reduce the high cost of VEs construction and development, and at the same time improves the quality of the VE by Physically Based Behavior Modeling.

In the end, as an implementation example, a Virtual Ping Pong Game is developed following the IVECS framework.

Key Words: Physically Based Modeling, Behavior modeling, Virtual Environment construction, System Engineering, Human Computer Interface, Object Oriented, Complex System