New Interfaces - Old Models

Abstract

The rapid development of new Virtual Reality (VR) devices such as the Oculus Rift and Google Cardboard together with Augmented Reality (AR) applications such as 3Dplus (by the Finnish company advice) or gaming software such as Unity3D and Unreal Engine 4 raises the question of how we can use these new interfaces and applications to access our increasingly data-rich models. In this paper we will summarise the results of a joint international workshop where students explored the use of these new interfaces on existing models. During the course of the workshop, the students built their own VR environments to test spatial perception and then used different types of housing models with these interfaces to find out what kind of information inside those data rich models is best suited to be accessed using these new interfaces. The question will be if there is any added value - besides the novelty factor - in using these new devices in combination with old models. To give an extra dimension to the virtual nature of the workshop, students collaborated with some of the tutors primarily digitally using the virtual models and other online tools (Skype/Twitter/discussion boards). By having collaboration through the medium of the virtual interactive model as the core communication method, the amount, type and methods of presenting the information is tested and evaluated. This is work in progress and we had to experience several problems that we could not overcome in the available time.