JISC

Start date: 1 December 2004

End date: 30 November 2005

Funding programme: Virtual Research Environments programme (phase 1)

Project website: http://kato.mvc.mcc.ac.uk/sve-wiki/SAGE

JISC theme(s): e-Research

Key parts will be the construction and use of semi-immersive stereoscopic facilities to create an increased level of ‘presence’ within the Access Grid environment and the recording of the performance, in the same format, within a framework playable by a larger community base as and when required.

The project will have the following objectives;

• the first key part building a portable hardware and software extension to the Access Grid for full-sized stereo viewing,

• and a second part to construct a lightweight framework for storing and editing the performances.

• Best practice for use and

• full guidelines on self-build construction will be available online as well as full,

• dissemination through workshops and practice.

Aims and Objectives   

Key parts will be the construction and use of semi-immersive stereoscopic facilities to create an increased level of ‘presence’ within the Access Grid environment and the recording of the performance, in the same format, within a framework playable by a larger community base as and when required. 

The project will have two main objectives; the first part building a portable hardware and software extension to the Access Grid for full-sized stereo viewing, and a second part to construct a lightweight framework for storing and editing the performances. 

Project Methodology

The main focus of the project is to construct best practice guides and recommendations for integrating portable stereoscopic display units either as stand-alone units or within VECs or within the AG or incorporated into a community lightweight framework. 

With a growing list of evaluation partners two workshops are planned to promote the technology and exhibit its uses to a wide range of users. 

Implications/ Deliverables/ Stakeholders  

VRE project outcomes will be fully disseminated within both the technical fields of VEC publications and meetings as well as the AG community. Eurographics/Siggraph workshops and conferences, AG Retreats, SC Global and the Workshop for Advanced Collaborative Environments are all appropriate vehicles for demonstrating our achievements and recruiting users from around the globe. In the UK there are strong links held in the Eurographics UK Chapter that hosts annual meetings as well as via its members’ current research and non-research networks and projects. 

More importantly is dissemination within the user groups’ publications, which is why a section of the budget is designed around workshops to aid research projects currently proposed by the core users. This will be used not just to promote the VRE directly but allow the facilities to be improved within the projects lifetime and beyond. 

Project Partners  

University of Southampton