Virtual Reality most likely conjures up an image of people sitting in front of a fancy, expensive, high-end graphics workstation with stereo displays; wearing a helmet on their head supporting 3D goggles; having space-suit-like gloves on their hands; and all the while controlling large banks of joy-sticks, dials, and keyboards. Only something that might be available in a NASA training center, or something you could try to do on a supercomputer using complex, specialized software systems.
Or, you can use your Macintosh and some free software. Apple's QuickTime VR is system software that allows Macintosh users to experience VR using only their personal computer, with a mouse or trackball, and a keyboard. Additionally, through an innovative use of 360 degree panoramic photography, QuickTime VR enables these user interactions using real-world representations, as well as computer simulations. QuickTime VR is just an extension of the QuickTime architecture that most users are already familiar with. It has two components, a movie technology that allows users to "explore" spaces, and an object technology that allows users to "examine" objects. Specifically, viewers can investigate spaces and look over objects as if they were there. Whereas a QuickTime movie simply runs from beginning to end, a QuickTime VR scene may be explored at the viewers pace and direction. Turn left or right, zoom in or out, look up or down. Manipulate objects by turning them around, looking at them from the front, top, back, bottom, or any angle of interest.
By combining scenes with objects, VR developers can provide an experience that is like being there. As an example of a QuickTime VR scene, and one that you can actually try for yourself, imagine opening up your Web browser and connecting to a shopping mall. You start "walking" down the mall between stores, turning left and right to take a look at the shop displays in the front windows. As you pass by the book store, you stop, and turn to go into the store. Once inside, you move down the aisles until you find a book that piques your interest. You "pick" it up and turn it over to read the back cover. You click on the price tag and a voice says $19.95. These realistic simulations are all possible now through QuickTime VR technology.
When connecting to a VR scene, an application opens up a window that looks very much like a QuickTime movie. The difference is that you can navigate through it. To look around in a QuickTime VR scene, hold down the mouse button and move the pointer. While holding the mouse button down, move the pointer in the direction desired. You can also use the arrow keys. You can magnify part of a scene for closer scrutiny, or "pull back" to see a larger area. To zoom in, place the curser in the target area and hold down the Option key. To zoom out, hold down the Control key. You can continue to move the cursor to change your view while zooming. Objects in the scene can be turned around or tilted up and down. When you place the cursor on the object, the cursor turns into a hand. Press and hold the mouse button, and the hand appears to grab the object. Move the hand to turn or tilt the object. You can also use the arrow keys. Below you will find the minimum system requirements for installing QuickTime VR on your own Macintosh. Additionally, there is a list of several sites that can get you started with QuickTime VR scenes. These sites have links to other sites. Enjoy yourself as you explore other worlds.Please send your comments, questions, or suggestions to: Peter Furmonavicius