Connecting real world with virtual space

• Main Author: Choo, Wei Liang.
• Other Authors: Tan Ah Hwee
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2012
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Computer science and engineering::Information systems::Information interfaces and presentation
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/48460
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

NTU Co-Space, an implementation of a virtual world replica of NTU with realistic 3D models of the entire campus, allows users to explore NTU through their own virtual avatar. Through this player avatar, users are able to travel to different parts of the campus, interact with intelligent NPCs as well as other players. Implemented as a web version that works on Windows and Mac OS, this ties NTU Co-Space to laptops and desktops which lack mobility and ease of usage. The iPad version of NTU Co-Space brings about a mobility and ease of usage that comes with a tablet. It gives a whole new dimension to the way users interact with NTU Co-Space. First, the NTU Co-Space virtual world environment is implemented on the iPad. Building models are imported from the web version and the NTU virtual world recreated. Basic functions enabling the use of an avatar to explore the world are implemented. Secondly the characteristics that are unique to the iPad such mobility and size are considered. These characteristics are then exploited using features built into the device such as gyroscope, magnetic heading and GPS. This is to fully utilize and explore NTU Co-Space being on an iPad. A number of implementations completed during this project are unique to the iPad version of NTU Co-Space. User feedback was lastly gathered to assess which functionalities are useful and which are future features users would like to see on the iPad version of the device. The aim of this project is to utilize the iPad’s unique characteristics to provide new ways users can explore and use NTU Co-Space.