NIST Immersive Visualization Environment Available
January 2002
The Scientific Applications and Visualization Group (SAVG) of ITL's
Mathematical and Computational Sciences Division has developed an
immersive visualization environment that can be used to gain
increased insight into large, complex data sets. Such data sets are
becoming more commonplace at NIST, as high performance parallel
computing is used to develop higher fidelity simulations, and
combinatorial experimental techniques are used in the laboratory.
Immersive visualization environments allow the scientist to
interactively explore complex data by literally putting oneself
inside the data.
Fully immersive computer graphics include one or more large rear
projection screens to encompass peripheral vision, stereoscopic
display for increased depth perception, as well as head tracking for
realistic perspective based on the direction the user is viewing. The
ITL Immersive Visualization Laboratory (Gaithersburg Building
225/A140) is a RAVE (Reconfigurable Automatic Virtual Environment)
from Fakespace Systems. The two-wall RAVE is configured as an
immersive corner with two 8 ft. x 8 ft. (2.44m x 2.44m) screens flush to
the floor and oriented 90 degrees to form a corner. The large corner
configuration provides a very wide field of peripheral vision, with
stereoscopic display and head tracking. The RAVE is driven by an
Silicon Graphics Onyx 3400 parallel processor graphics super computer
consisting of twelve 500MHz MIPS R14000 CPUs, 12GB memory and 3
Infinite Reality graphics pipes (visage.cam.nist.gov).
The primary software controlling the RAVE is an open source system
from Virginia Tech called DIVERSE (Device Independent Virtual
Environments- Reconfigurable, Scalable, Extensible). DIVERSE handles
the details necessary to implement the immersive environment. SAVG
has developed additional tools and techniques for quickly moving
research data into the RAVE, often with little or no special-purpose
graphics programming.
SAVG is interested in collaborating with NIST scientists who would
like to explore the advantages of immersive visualization to their
research. The best way to understand how the RAVE works is to see it
first hand. A weekly "Open House" demonstration of the RAVE is
currently being held every Friday from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm, in the
Immersive Visualization Lab, Building 225/Room A140 in Gaithersburg.
These demonstrations are informal and anyone at NIST is invited to
drop by on any Friday. The demonstration content and discussions will
vary from week to week depending on the attendance.
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