From: Mike Snow <msnow@vt.edu>
Subject: Re: DESIGN: 3D computing vs. virtual reality:  what's the difference?
Date: 10 Dec 1995 19:18:49 GMT
Message-ID: <4afbqp$hci@solaris.cc.vt.edu>
Organization: Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia


From: Mike Snow <msnow@vt.edu>

The difference between VR and other forms of human-computer interface
is that there is an attempt in VR to create presence: the illusion
that the user is actually present in the virtual environment.  This is
not the goal of 3D computing/modelling packages per se (i.e., not
identified as VR packages, e.g., AutoCAD).  The line blurs when one
speaks of desktop VR, fishtank VR, or augmented reality, but the basic
difference is one of purpose.  If the intent is to create presence,
then it's VR.  If not, then it's 3D computing or something else.
Knowledge of what causes presence, how it may be measured, and what
effects it has (e.g., on performance, preference, learning, usability,
simulator sickness) is essential to determining tasks/applications in
which it (and, synonymously, VR) might be useful.  Of course, I'm
currently in the throes of a dissertation on exactly this topic, so my
viewpoint may be slightly biased.  :)

Mike
                               __    ________
Michael P. Snow                \ \  / __  __/             FAX: (540)231-3322
Human-Computer Interaction Lab  \ \/ / / /              email: msnow@vt.edu
ISE Department, Virginia Tech    \  / / /               phone: (540)231-3193
Blacksburg, VA 24061-0118         \/ /_/  WWW: http://hci.ise.vt.edu/~msnow/