Web 3D Technologies
Three-dimensional (3D) interactive graphical content is increasingly used in a broad range of applications, that range from industrial simulation to e-learning and entertainment. Recent developments in 3D technologies are Web-oriented, i.e. they allow one to develop virtual objects and environments that can be visited through the Web (by using common personal computers or also mobile devices), with the consequence of significantly increasing the number of potential users of virtual environments.
This scenario introduces a number of novel research issues, including:
-studying guidelines and techniques to augment the usability of 3D virtual environments;
- effectively integrating 3D content into the wide spectrum of Web technologies (e.g., integration with digital platforms);
- techniques for dynamically generating 3D content, e.g. starting from data sources available on the Web.
The goal of this project is to study these issues in the domain of museums and cultural heritage.
In this context, the project has developed a novel tool for building 3D virtual exhibitions (VEX-CMS) and modeling virtual visits which can be easily used by museum curators. Moreover, the final products (i.e. cultural exhibitions) can be visited either through the Web, or with stereoscopic projection systems that can be installed inside museums or educational institutions. Finally, results of the project include novel methods and techniques to deal with usability issues of virtual environments, with a particular focus on navigation.
