Modelling and Programming VR applications An ICT undergraduate course.pdfVIP

The 1st International Conference on Virtual Learning, ICVL 2006 83 Modelling and Programming VR applications: An ICT undergraduate course Grigore Albeanu UNESCO Chair in Information Technologies at University of Oradea, University Street No. 1, 410087, ROMANIA E-mail: galbeanu@ Abstract This paper presents a two-semester course covering basic VR concepts, VR interfaces, modelling techniques for VR applications, algorithms and programming languages for efficient design and implementation of VR applications. Details about an e-Course on Modelling and Programming VR applications are also presented according to the Open Distance Learning requirements. Keywords: Virtual Reality, OpenGL, VRML/X3D, Java3D, Virtual Learning 1. Introduction Virtual Reality (VR) is a fascinated field based on information and communication technologies, theoretical and applied fundamental, technical and human sciences. Even, some previously developed applications did not used the expression virtual reality, the instruments, techniques and metaphors designed by various scientists, are known today, as basic elements of virtual reality. Generally speaking, the virtual reality represents a human-computer interface that simulates a realistic environment and allows users to interact with such an environment. However, this is not a complete view of VR. For Vlada and Popovici [61], VR refers to a system of concepts, methods and techniques useful for designing and implementation of advanc