This example shows a radiosity lighting solution which uses stochastic ray-tracing to simulate the transfer of energy in a simple closed environment. The computations will be performed on a remote supercomputer (such as the SCAAMP Origin2000) with the results visualized in the cave. Moreover, the user will be able to interactively change many of the simulation parameters, including patch density, firing order, sampling distributions, and object placement.
The Constrained Navigation project is studying methods which will allow users to effectively navigate and explore 3D and higher-dimensional worlds without getting lost or overwhelmed by excessive freedoms of control. The example below was designed to allow a complex molecule to be examined using a desktop workstation with a 2D mouse. Movements in the mouse position (upper left) translate into smoothly varying positions on the torus-shaped constraint surface (right) yielding the user's view of the molecule (lower left). These ideas extend naturally to the CAVE where effective navigation is even more difficult for novice users.
Traditional scientific visualization projects will benefit from the expanded and enhanced visual and audio perceptual experiences which the CAVE and IDesk offer. In the example below, a simulation of groundwater flow around a well may be more effectively visualized in the cave by allowing the user to perceive and interact with model in more a more natural fashion. (More information about the Groundwater Project is available.)
