Demonstrations of VASE Lab projects

A demonstration of VR technology to representatives from a local school and the Mayor of Wivenhoe

We believe that the best way to prove the effectiveness of a piece of work is to produce a working demonstration. Most of our demonstrations can't be shown effectively on the Web, they need to be seen in person. However, a few of them can.

VRML modelling

Your web browser obviously needs to have a VRML1 or VRML2 (aka VRML97) viewer available in order to view the models described below. If, when you follow a link to a model, it appears in your browser as text rather than a 3D world, your browser isn't set up to handle VRML.

• A model of the University of Essex campus ( VRML 1 , VRML 2 ). This forms an interface to the University's Web-based campus information system. Essex was the first university top produce a VRML campus model anywhere in the world, back in July 1995. ( A more detailed discussion is available.)

• A VRML model of the VASE Lab itself ( VRML 1 , VRML 2 ), with elements of the scene acting as interfaces to further information: for example, the computers link to projects taking place in the Lab and the telephone links to Essex's on-line telephone and email directory, implemented via an X.500 information service. (This model is interfaced to the appropriate part of the campus model , of course.)

• A VRML reconstruction of Colchester's Roman Temple to Claudius ( VRML 1 , VRML 2 ), based on archaeological excavations by the Colchester Archaeological Trust .

• VRML models of a proposed theatre in Wivenhoe , a town near the University. The model is program-generated, so we can easily generate it from the outside ( VRML 1 , VRML 2 , corresponding photograph ), with the roof removed ( VRML 1 , VRML 2 ), ground floor only ( VRML 1 , VRML 2 ), and with pictures on the walls ( VRML 1 , VRML 2 ).

  The model was devised principally to visualize how the theatre will look, especially from the inside. However, its use does not necessarily end with the conversion of the existing building into a theatre, as we there are other possible uses for the model:

  • To allow people to visualize the view of the stage from any seat in the theatre; this would be useful when booking tickets, for example.

  • To use it as an interface to a booking system. For any performance, vacant and booked seats could be shown in different colours, and clicking the mouse on any seat could bring up a booking form into which the customer loaded name, address and credit card details.

  • To provide a vehicle for designing the lighting (and perhaps sound) for productions.

You can also read about how the models were generated.