Visualization at the VT Visionarium.
Virtual Reality and Scientific Visualization
The study of complex and large datasets usually presents a challenge to scientists working with simulation, medical scans or unstructured data. For this reason several visualization techniques have been proposed using large displays or stereoscopic environments. However we still need to comprehend better how different characteristics of these displays (e.g. stereo, field of regard) affect the tasks performed by the users. Current research shows that not all components have equal impact and that there are unexpected interactions between them. You can learn more in the 3DI group page.
I am also interested in other aspects and application of VR such as:
Human Computer Interaction and 3D input
Most of the times, having an effective interaction technique can dramatically change the user experience. 3D interaction, for example, is a natural choice for applications using virtual or augmented reality. However, 3D interfaces present its own set of challenges. I am interested in understanding how different input methods affect task performance, developing new interaction techniques, and discover guidelines that can help us design better user interfaces. Other topics that draw my attention are:
Computer Graphics and Games
Graphics are still the most effective way of conveying information. Techniques are useful in a broad range of applications, ranging from scientific visualization to movies. Real time computer graphics have the benefit of being using in interactive applications. However, due to the strict time limits to render a frame techniques must be fast and have a good quality. This demand brings the opportunity to creative solutions which generally involves some kind of 'faking'. I have been looking at different approaches in CG such as parallel rendering and using graphical processing units to speed up tasks. I am also interested in :
The study of complex and large datasets usually presents a challenge to scientists working with simulation, medical scans or unstructured data. For this reason several visualization techniques have been proposed using large displays or stereoscopic environments. However we still need to comprehend better how different characteristics of these displays (e.g. stereo, field of regard) affect the tasks performed by the users. Current research shows that not all components have equal impact and that there are unexpected interactions between them. You can learn more in the 3DI group page.
I am also interested in other aspects and application of VR such as:
- Immersive gaming
- Computer graphics techniques for VR/AR/MR
- Perception, presence, and cognition
- Teleoperation and telepresence
Human Computer Interaction and 3D input
Most of the times, having an effective interaction technique can dramatically change the user experience. 3D interaction, for example, is a natural choice for applications using virtual or augmented reality. However, 3D interfaces present its own set of challenges. I am interested in understanding how different input methods affect task performance, developing new interaction techniques, and discover guidelines that can help us design better user interfaces. Other topics that draw my attention are:
- Theory and methods in HCI
- 3DUIs for VR, AR and gaming
- Human perception of 3D interaction
- Wearable computing
- Multimodal UI
Computer Graphics and Games
Graphics are still the most effective way of conveying information. Techniques are useful in a broad range of applications, ranging from scientific visualization to movies. Real time computer graphics have the benefit of being using in interactive applications. However, due to the strict time limits to render a frame techniques must be fast and have a good quality. This demand brings the opportunity to creative solutions which generally involves some kind of 'faking'. I have been looking at different approaches in CG such as parallel rendering and using graphical processing units to speed up tasks. I am also interested in :
- Image-based rendering
- Volumetric rendering
- Procedural modeling
- Multiview rendering
- GPU techniques