56:246 The Design of Virtual Environments
Past Problem Sets/Quizzes/Exams


Fall 2000 Assignments

Assignment 1, Due 9/1/00 -- Create and describe one to three specific, novel uses of virtual reality that could be used to start a business. Be concise and clear about what your idea is (grammar and style will count). Work towards developing an applications for which virtual reality would provide meaningful benefits, rather than superficial benefits. The final product should be about 250 word (1 page, double spaced).

Assignment 1b, Due 9/15/00 -- You may revise and resubmit assignment 1 for a new grade. Many of the assignments failed to justify the meaningful benefits that virtual reality technology would provide for the application. Others described a general area in which VR might be useful, but did not get specific enough for the reader to evaluate the utility of the idea. The short page limit still applies. Revise and simplify. Your final assignment grade will be the higher of the original grade or the average of the original grade and the regrade.

Assignment 2. Due 9/25/00 -- Design a virtual reality system for a specific task. List manufacturers and check prices for each of the components. Justify your purchase decisions based on the needs of your simulator.

Assignment 3. Due 10/18/00 -- Build a complex, VRML environment with a regular text editor. Include at least 1 indexed face set, 1 texture, 1 viewpoint, 1 behavior and 3 simple objects (cone, sphere, box, etc).


Assignment 4. Due 11/10/00 -- Build a VR environment using one of the tools we discussed in class. Several of the tools are freely available from the internet. Use the tool to create a virtual reality that has some artistic significance to you. The geometry should be much more complex than in your last assignment, and there should be many more objects. Whereas the last VRML files tended to be ~3-5Kbytes, these should be ~30-50Kbytes or more. Emphasize trying to create a space and atmosphere. Send me a pointer to where you have posted the your VRML world on the web.


Assignment 5. Due 12/13/00 -- Design and implement a project of your choice using the skills and information developed as part of this course.  Write a one-page (double-spaced) description of your planned project by 11/20/00, include purpose, tasks to be completed and timeline, and expected results. Feel free to discuss your ideas with me before you write your plan. Schedule a time with me to demonstrate the results of your work during finals week.

Revised: August 16, 2002 by Geb Thomas
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