Visualization resources

Scientists and students at the German Research School for Simulation Sciences have access to the extraordinary visualization resources at the Centre for Computing and Communication of RWTH Aachen University.

The Virtual Reality Group at RWTH's Center for Computing and Communication manages a VR-lab which features several state-of-the-art displays for interactive data exploration in immersive virtual environments.

The center-piece of RWTH's VR-lab is a five-sided CAVE-like environment, which has been installed in spring 2004 by the BARCO GmbH in collaboration with the RWTH Virtual Reality Group. The system provides a floor projection and four side walls. This enables a 360 degree view, leading to nearly perfect immersion, which significantly eases navigation within the virtual environment. The CAVE's size is about 3.60 x 2.70 x 2.70 m. Its IR-optical tracking system is provided by A.R.T. GmbH, and the stereoscopic projection is achieved by circular polarization using two digital LCD projectors per screen. Each projector yields a resolution of 1600 x 1200 pixels.

In addition to the VR-lab, there is a variety of smaller projection-based VR-systems at various locations in Aachen and Jülich, including a stereoscopic, cylindrical Powerwall setup at JSC, a high-resolution Powerwall at the AICES graduate school, and several desktop-based VR-workstations with optical tracking for full six-degree-of-freedom interaction.

Currently, the Virtual Reality Group is pursuing the installation of a new, high-resolution CAVE-like environment which will be likely feature 4k by 2k pixels per display surface. It will be housed in the new VR-lab installed at CCC's extension building in Aachen.

For more information, please consult the homepage of the Virtual Reality Group, RWTH Aachen University at http://www.vr.rwth-aachen.de.