Haptic interaction with 3D models

Professor Chris Harding

Virtual Reality Application Center

Iowa State University

Date: Friday, May 2, 2008
Place: Engineering Sciences Building 1001
Time: 2:00 pm — 3:00 pm


Abstract:

Although 3D models are widely used in Science, Engineering and Art, user interaction is typically limited to the traditional mouse- keyboard paradigm. Haptic force feedback devices, such as SensAble's line of Phantoms, in combination with 3D stereo graphics and audio
feedback (sonification) may offer a richer and more efficient interface for the direct manipulation of 3D models. The M4 system, short for Multi-Modal Mesh Manipulation system, combines these three sensory modalities to allow artists and scientists to interactively
paint, cut and deform 3D mesh models.

The talk will discuss the investigation of haptic interaction in the context of Art & Design and in the context of geoscientific (GIS) data and will include a demonstration of the M4 system. After the talk, there will be the opportunity for audience to try the system.

CHRIS HARDING's interests are in combining geoscience research and teaching with the emerging field of Virtual Reality. Besides being a faculty member in the department of geological and atmospheric sciences he is also part of the Virtual Reality Applications Center (VRAC) and ISU's Human-Computer-Interaction (HCI) program.

Professor Harding is interested in building interactive geoscientific Virtual Environments that take advantage not only of the well established visual component (e.g., large displays with stereo vision) but employ touch and sound as well. Geoscientific tasks carry a special set of problems and therefore need specific approaches.

Host: Prof. JoAnn Kuchera-Morin, Media Arts and Technology