Graph Based Pre-Rendered Approach to Virtual Reality for Cultural Heritage Applications
Andrea Francesco Abate, Michele Nappi, Stefano Ricciardi · 2005
The term Virtual Reality usually refers to the promise of a visually believable interactive experience in a 3D world, typically visualized through real-time rendering of polygonal textured models. In this paper we present a different approach to the fruition of rich virtual environments populated by highly realistic computer generated characters, featuring state of the art lighting, shading and animation techniques. The proposed framework does not rely on real-time rendering but on high resolution stereo pre-rendering instead. A graph, whose nodes represent pre-rendered audio-video clips available for a given context, is visited during navigation and interaction, allowing the user to enjoy a believable virtual experience. This methodology, though limiting in term of action freedom could be effectively used for VR applications in fields such as Edutainment and Cultural Heritage. We show the proposed framework applied to the virtual exploration of the digitally reconstructed archaeological site of Moregine (Pompei) guided by one of its last inhabitants.