Computer Science 294-5 Virtual Reality
Homework #3 VRML Turn-in
Due: May 12, 1997

Overview : VRML Homework

This homework is to be completed individually. Consider the three dimensions among which we usually measure Virtual Environments: (40 Best VRML worlds) At this site you'll find 4 categories of VRML worlds: (Business | Educational | Entertainment | Science-Engineering). Go to a fast computer with a fast net-connection, sound output and a VRML 2.0 browser on it (like the NT machines in 111 Cory which have Cosmoplayer linked through Netscape, but you'll need to bring your own headphones until the speakers arrive. It is important to visit these sites on a machine that has sound working - sound is an integral component to many (if not all) of these Virtual Worlds). Visit and explore any two of these categories completely, stopping at every VRML 2.0 site within the category. Then answer the questions below on the 20 worlds you have visited. The answers to your questions need not be limited to a particular category. For example, when we ask you to name your favorite world, you can choose from among any of the 20 worlds you've visited. Sometimes a site has multiple worlds within it. You are only required to visit one of the worlds within each site, but you are welcome to visit more. Warning: This homework (and all that you turn in) counts in an important way toward your grades since we are not likely to have a midterm or final exam.

0. Your name:

1. Your browser/architecture: (e.g. "Cosmoplayer 1.0/Intergraph P6", like those in 111 cory)

2a. Your first category:

2b. Your second category:

3. The URL of your favorite VRML worlds: (of the 20 you visited)

Interaction

Describe 2 positive features and 2 negative features of the interaction. For each of the 4 features mentioned, site a VRML world (provide the URL) and the location inside the world when the interaction seemed best suited (for the positive features) or least suited (for the negative features) and explain why. For the negative features, discuss any improvements that could be made.

4a. Positive Feature #1

4b. URL for "Positive Feature #1" VRML World

4c. Location inside the "Positive Feature #1" VRML world where the interaction seemed best suited (You can be relatively general with your answers here)

4d. Reason why the interaction you mention above seemed best suited.

5a. Positive Feature #2

5b. URL for "Positive Feature #2" VRML World

5c. Location inside the "Positive Feature #2" VRML world where the interaction seemed best suited (You can be relatively general with your answers here)

5d. Reason why the interaction you mention above seemed best suited.

6a. Negative Feature #1

6b. URL for "Negative Feature #1" VRML World

6c. Location inside the "Negative Feature #1" VRML world where the interaction seemed least suited (You can be relatively general with your answers here)

6d. Reason why the interaction you mention above seemed least suited.

6e. Improvements that could be made regarding the interaction.

7a. Negative Feature #2

7b. URL for "Negative Feature #2" VRML World

7c. Location inside the "Negative Feature #2" VRML world where the interaction seemed least suited (You can be relatively general with your answers here)

7d. Reason why the interaction you mention above seemed least suited.

7e. Improvements that could be made regarding the interaction.

Immersion

Describe the 3 particular VRML worlds (provide the URL) in which you felt particularly immersed and explain why.

8a. URL for high-immersion VRML World #1

8b. Reason why you felt immersed with this world.

9a. URL for high-immersion VRML World #2

9b. Reason why you felt immersed with this world.

10a. URL for high-immersion VRML World #3

10b. Reason why you felt immersed with this world.

Interest

Describe the 5 particular VRML worlds (provide the URL) in which you felt most captured your interest and explain why.

11a. URL for high-interest VRML World #1

11b. Reason why you were interested with this world.

12a. URL for high-interest VRML World #2

12b. Reason why you were interested with this world.

13a. URL for high-interest VRML World #3

13b. Reason why you were interested with this world.

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(CS 294)