Collaborative visualization of engineering processes using tabletop augmented reality

    Authors

    S. Y. Dong; A. H. Behzadan; F. Chen;V. R. Kamat

    Comments

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    Abbreviated Journal Title

    Adv. Eng. Softw.

    Keywords

    Tabletop augmented reality; Visualization; Simulation; Planar tracking; library; Validation; Collaboration; Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications; Computer Science, ; Software Engineering; Engineering, Multidisciplinary

    Abstract

    3D computer visualization has emerged as an advanced problem-solving tool for engineering education and practice. For example in civil engineering, the integration of 3D/4D CAD models in the construction process helps to minimize the misinterpretation of the spatial, temporal, and logical aspects of construction planning information. Yet despite the advances made in visualization, the lack of collaborative problem-solving abilities leaves outstanding challenges that need to be addressed before 3D visualization can become widely accepted in the classroom and in professional practice. The ability to smoothly and naturally interact in a shared workspace characterizes a collaborative learning process. This paper introduces tabletop Augmented Reality to accommodate the need to collaboratively visualize computer-generated models. A new software program named ARVita is developed to validate this idea, where multiple users wearing Head-Mounted Displays and sitting around a table can all observe and interact with dynamic visual simulations of engineering processes. The applications of collaborative visualization using Augmented Reality are reviewed, the technical implementation is covered, and the program's underlying tracking libraries are presented. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

    Journal Title

    Advances in Engineering Software

    Volume

    55

    Publication Date

    1-1-2013

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    45

    Last Page

    55

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000312467500004

    ISSN

    0965-9978

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