VirtualXibIT : framework for the venue authoring, population, and visualisation of 3D virtual exhibitions

Abstract

Exhibitions provide humans with an educational and enjoyable way with which to increase their knowledge and appreciation towards a certain category such as science, arts, archaeology and culture by observing the exhibits and understanding any related information that is provided. Recent advances in Computer Graphics and Virtual Reality techniques have made possible the implementation of 3D virtual exhibitions. With this technology anyone can now build his/her own exhibitions for public display, and the public can have an enjoyable learning experience at any time from anywhere. In this dissertation we present a framework exactly for this purpose. VirtualXibIT is a framework enabling the user who starts off with an idea of an exhibition, to concretise this idea into a 3D virtual exhibition which can actually be walked through. The architecture and plug-in support of the framework allow for extendibility and customisation. An easy to use but sophisticated Authoring Tool aids the exhibition creator by facilitating the processes of venue creation and the population of the venue with exhibits, in two dimensional space. The 2D exhibition information is converted to 3D geometry by the Converter. This geometry is then loaded by the exhibition Visualiser to create the virtual scene and allow the user to walk around the exhibition in three dimensions. The experience is made an enjoyable and educational one by making it real enough for the visitor to feel immersed in the virtual world, and by allowing him/her to view information about the exhibits. With the use of plug-ins the visitor is also offered additional aids during his/her visit, such as automatic intelligent virtual tours. We also propose a method of how the system can be implemented online, so as to exploit the wide usage of the internet and push forward exhibition culture by creating a community of users who can create and upload their own exhibitions, as well as enjoy a learning experience by visiting exhibitions which others would have created.