Introductory Virtual Reality Workshop

Start creating Virtual Reality applications in this 3 day workshop.

This workshop introduces the software and hardware tools used by Virtual Reality systems. Participants will gain practical experience creating simulations with Vizard, a 3D engine used to create Virtual Reality applications.

Price: $2700. Instructor airfare and accommodation costs are extra. Also available as 1 or 2 day workshops.

Contact me for more information.

Course Activities

Virtual Reality: A Survey

  • Goal: To understand the potential of Virtual Reality technology.
  • Format: Lecture followed by group activity.
  • Content:
    • Current Virtual Reality applications
    • Virtual Reality hardware and software
    • Planning a project

Python Scripting Introduction

  • Goal: To start scripting using the Python language.
  • Format: Hands-on computer activities, guided by the instructor.
  • Content:
    • Creating Vizard/Python scripts
    • Python arithmetic, variables, functions, loops, logic
    • Code organization with Python modules

Overview of Application Development

  • Goal: To identify the tools, human resources, and work-flows used to create Virtual Reality applications.
  • Format: Lecture followed by hands-on computer activities.
  • Content:
    • 3D modeling applications (3ds Max, Blender)
    • Application scripting with Vizard and Python
    • Agile software development

3D Engine Concepts

  • Goal: To create interactive 3D applications with Vizard.
  • Format: Hands-on computer activities, guided by the instructor.
  • Content:
    • 3D models
    • The scene graph
    • Viewpoints
    • Handling user input
    • Graphical user interfaces

Virtual Reality Displays and Tracking Devices

  • Goal: To experience 3D displays and 3D input devices.
  • Format: Lecture followed by hands-on computer activities.
  • Content:
    • Anaglyphic stereo
    • Head-Mounted-Displays
    • Auto-stereioscopic displays
    • 3D tracking devices
    • The Nintendo Wii

Avatars and Physics in 3D Applications

  • Goal: To manipulate 3D avatars and rigid body physics simulations.
  • Format: Hands-on computer activities, guided by the instructor.
  • Content:
    • Exporting Avatars from 3D modeling software
    • Animating avatar's smoothly in real-time
    • Creating rigid bodies in physics simulations
    • Applying forces to rigid bodies