Physical Setup
The cabin structure consists of a moving platform with 4 DOF (x, z, pitch and roll). The cabin is tracked so that the virtual shuttle provides similar movements during the flight. We mounted a racing seat on top of the platform and attached a 5-point racing harness to strap the flight commander firmly. We are using a compressor to inflate and deflate a rubber balloon mounted behind the seat that further tightens the harness to simulate the g-force effect. We created a control panel in front of the flight commander with some physical buttons and sticks.
Hardware Setup
We are using the NAVE setup for output, which consists of 4 rear-projected images on 3 display screens. The center screen has two projections for polarized stereo output. We are using 4 computers with Pentium 4 processors to render the scene giving output for each projector. The sound system consists of 5.1 surround sound mounted on top of the screens. We have 5 speakers under the floor to provide vibration and roaring sound for lift off. There are 2 bass shaker units underneath the cabin platform for additional shaking during the journey. We use a plasma screen display for showing a briefing along with an instructional video before going on for a space mission.
Human Interface Setup
The functional buttons on the panel are connected to a computer via a keyboard hidden inside the panel. The flight commander will dock the shuttle to the station using a joystick that is placed on the right side. Some controls are kept for the operator in base station for assisting in initial controls checkup and invoking launch sequence. The cabin movement is tracked from the back using a web cam.
Software Setup
We are using Visual C++ along with Vega Prime for rendering our scene. Vega Prime allows placing multiple observers at different angles and keeps all displays synchronized. Vega Prime is also being used to model the encapsulating environment and special effects like fog and smoke. The joystick input is processed using an input library from Vega. We use the AR Toolkit library for monochrome marker tracking using a web cam. The surround sound is played using Direct Sound 8.0.
3D Models, Animations and Video
All the models including the cabin, space shuttle, space station, solar system and asteroids were created realistically using 3D Studio Max and based on photos of the originals. The models are exported into Open Flight format and later imported into Vega Prime. The briefing video also involved an animation created in 3D Studio max. The editing of the briefing video was done with Adobe Premiere. Cool Edit was used for editing sound clips.
Specification of Equipment Used
- 4 x Dell Dimension Desktop PC (Pentium 4 3.0GHz HT, 512MB RAM, 128MB Video Card, Creative Live Audigy 2 ZS)
- 5 x 100W JBL Surround Sound Satellite Speakers (Front Left, Front Right, Center, Left and Right)
- 1 x 700W Yamaha SubWoofer
- 1 x Pioneer Surround Sound Amplifier
- 1 x Yamaha 700W 6 Channel Amplifier
- 5 x 200W Speakers (Under the floor)
- 2 x 25W Auro Bass Shakers
- 2 x PLUS Stereoscopic Projector (1024 x 768 @ 60Hz)
- 3 x 8' x 6' Rear projection screens
- 1 x 42" Pioneer Plasma LCD
- 1 x Logitech® Extreme™ 3D Pro
- 1 x Logitech Webcam Oribit MP
- 1 x Racing Car Seat
- 1 x 5-Point Harness
- 1 x Inflatable Exercise Baloon
- 1 x Air Compressor (Inflator / Deflator)
Props for Flight Commander
- 1 x Polarized Glasses
- 1 x Pair of Gloves
- 1 x Helmet
