Third, documentation for the software must be completed so that users will be able to take full advantage of the capability of the software with minimal self-study. Fourth, a distribution and installation package for the software and documentation needs to be developed to support widespread distribution of the software to the user community. The funding requested will provide support for adding these enhancements to ViEWER v2.0 and for making the software available to the general education and research community through Internet distribution. In the following sections we will identify specifically how this project addresses the selection criteria outlined in the proposal submission guidelines. For example, psychologists use virtual environments to study human sensory systems and spatial memory for navigation.
Architects use virtual environments to study proposed building designs.
Ergonomists use virtual environments to develop advanced displays and controls for transportation, aviation, and industrial systems. Biomedical applications include simulations of surgical techniques for medical training. Transportation engineers might use virtual environments to test new road layouts. All of these uses of virtual environments benefit from the precise measurement of human performance within the virtual environment. ViEWER is specifically designed to support research and education initiatives like these.