PolyVR - A Virtual Reality Authoring System

Abstract

Virtual Reality applications are very complex. 3D modelling and scene authoring is very time consuming and requires expertise in computer sciences. A further problem are the advanced Virtual Reality hardware setups, which have to be planned, configured and maintained. PolyVR is a Virtual Reality authoring system that allows the user to dynamically create immersive and interactive virtual worlds. The created content is abstracted from the hardware setup, allowing a flexible deployment even on complex distributed visualization setups. The hardware setup configuration is dynamic, it can be changed while the virtual world is running. This includes viewport management, tracking systems and other Virtual Reality technologies such as haptic devices. Scene authoring is realised through manipulation and configuration of the scenegraph nodes as well as through Python scripting for dynamic and interactive content. Python bindings provide access to all built-in features of PolyVR. It allows for a powerful and highly flexible way of interfacing with external libraries or other resources, and is a very intuitive language with a low learning curve.