Course Virtual Reality

  • Instructor: Prof. Dr. Bernd Fröhlich
  • Teaching assistants
    • Dipl.-Medsys.wiss. André Kunert
    • Dipl.-Des. Alexander Kulik
    • Dipl.-Medsys.wiss. Andreas-C. Bernstein
  • Lecture schedule 
    • Introduction on 18.10.2016
    • Tuesdays, 3:15 - 4:45 pm
    • Location: Room 015, Bauhausstr 11
  • Lab class schedule
    • Group A: Friday, 9:15am - 10:45am, starts 21.10.2016
    • Group B: Friday, 11:00am - 0:30pm, starts 21.10.2016
    • Location: VR-Lab, Room 008, Bauhausstr 11
  • Target audience
    • M.Sc. Medieninformatik/Mediensysteme
    • M.Sc. Computer Science and Media
    • M.Sc. HCI
  • ECTS Credits
    • 4 Credits (Mediensysteme)
    • 4.5 Credits (Medieninformatik, Computer Science and Media, HCI)

Course Description

This course presents the theoretical, technical and applied foundations of modern virtual reality systems, 3D TV, 3D Cinema, stereoscopic gaming and 3D user interfaces. The course focuses on the following topics:

  • Scenegraph technology
  • 3D viewing
  • 3D perception
  • Stereoscopic single- and multi-viewer display technology
  • Three-dimensional user interfaces and interaction techniques

The accompanying lab classes allow students to implement a set of 3D interaction techniques in stereoscopic environments and a project of their own choice. The VR lab provides access to the newest virtual reality technology such as multi-viewer 3D projections and head-mounted display systems.

German Course Description

Die Vorlesung stellt die wissenschaftlichen und technischen Grundlagen für moderne Virtual-Reality-Systeme, 3D-Fernsehen, 3D-Kino, stereoskopische 3D-Spiele und 3D-Interfaces vor. Die konkreten Themen der Vorlesung:

  • Szenengraphen
  • 3D Viewing Setups 
  • 3D Wahrnehmung
  • Stereoskopische Single- und Multi-Viewer-Systeme
  • 3D-Eingabegeräte und Interaktionstechniken

Diese Vorlesung wird englischsprachig angeboten.

Regelmäßige Übungen im VR-Labor ergänzen die Vorlesung durch praktische Erfahrungen beim Entwurf und der Implementierung von 3D-Interaktionstechniken für moderne VR-Systeme, wie einer 3D-Projektion für mehrere Nutzer und head-mounted Displays.

NEWS

  • Oral exams
    • During the semester break by special arrangement
      • Just email to instructor
      • Most weeks work well except March 13 to 24
      • Preferred to do the exam before start of the new semester
    • Regular exam dates
      • Mar 28-30 and April 5 to 6
      • Email to Frau Hansens <maria-theresa.hansens@uni-weimar.de> for registration
      • Registration is possible until one week before the exam
  • Q&A session for exam preparation
    • Monday, 27th of March, 1-3pm, VR-Lab
    • Send specific questions or repetition requests to Andre Kunert <andre.kunert@uni-weimar.de> until 24.3.2017

Lecture notes

The documents from the WS 2014/15 course serve as a basis and will be further developed. The files are only accessible from within the university network using a password provided during the first lecture. Please do not redistribute the material.

    Lab Class

    • Avango-Guacamole Introduction (21.10.2016)
    • Hierarchical Structuring in the Scenegraph: Assignment1 (28.10.2016)
    • Dataflow & Event-Handling: Assignment2 (04.11.2016)
    • Multi-Level Crane: Assignment3 (graded, presentation on 18.11.2016)
    • Assignment3 Consultation (11.11.2016)
    • Assignment3 Presentation (18.11.2016)
    • Object Dragging in the Scenegraph: Assignment4 (25.11.2016)
    • Transfer Functions: Assignment5 (graded, presentation on 09.12.2016)
    • Assignment5 Consultation (02.12.2016)
    • Assignment5 Presentation (09.12.2016)
    • Introduction Stereoscopic Setups & Tracking: Assignment6 (16.12.2016)
    • Remote-Manipulation Techniques: Assignment7 (graded, presentation on 13.01.2017)
    • Assignment7 Consultation (06.01.2017)
    • Assignment7 Presentation (13.01.2017)
    • Multi-User Stereo Display & HMD Introduction (20.01.2017)
    • Navigation Techniques: Assignment8 (graded, presentation on 03.02.2017)
    • Assignment8 Consultation (25.01.2017 at 4pm)
    • Assignment8 Presentation (03.02.2017)
    • Final Project Instructions

    Final Project

    • Requirements
      • Design and implementation of a small virtual reality project
      • Reappraisal of the concepts presented during the course
    • Procedure
      • Development by individuals or in groups of two
      • Development effort: about one week
    • Presentation
      • Demonstration of the project, supported where possible by a small presentation of the implemented concepts

    Grading

       

    • The final exam will be an oral exam covering all topics of the course
    • Appointments for oral examination can be made with the computer science secretaries (R112, B11) at the end of course.
    •  

    • Requirements for admittance to the final exam
      • At least 50% of the points need to be achieved in the assignments and the final project.
      • The following scheme lists the grades depending on the percentage of the achieved points (assignments + final project):
        • 1.0   >=95.0
        • 1.1   [93.5-95.0)
        • 1.2   [92.0-93.5)
        • 1.3   [90.5-92.0)
        • 1.4   [89.0-90.5)
        • 1.5   [87.5-89.0)
        • 1.6   [86.0-87.5)
        • 1.7   [84.5-86.0)
        • 1.8   [83.0-84.5)
        • 1.9   [81.5-83.0)
        • 2.0   [80.0-81.5)
        • 2.1   [78.5-80.0)
        • 2.2   [77.0-78.5)
        • 2.3   [75.5-77.0)
        • 2.4   [74.0-75.5)
        • 2.5   [72.5-74.0)
        • ...
        • 3.0   [65.0-66.5)
        • ...
        • 4.0   [50.0-51.5)
        • Less than 50% is insufficient for an admission to the oral exam.
    • Contributions to the final grade
      • assignments: 20%
      • final project:   30%
      • final exam:     50%