Virtual Reality Technology (IEEE Press) - Tapa dura

"...one of the best books available on the subject...I would recommend this as a great reference book. The authors have done an excellent and remarkable revision and update..." (Computer Animations and Virtual Worlds, December 2005) "This comprehensive textbook describes the history of virtual reality technology from its beginnings about forty years ago, through present and future uses." (Medical Reference Services Quarterly, Fall 2004) "...a must-have book. A textbook of this caliber is a welcomed asset for researchers, universities, and others in the field." (Annals of Biomedical Engineering, April 2004) "Listing in the "More to Explore" section of an article entitled "Virtual-Reality Therapy" (Scientific American, August 2004) "...a well written introductory book on the subject...a fascinating book on a subject that everyone in medical technology will be using more of in coming years..." (Biomedical Instrumentation & Technology, January/February 2004) "...a second edition that builds on the success of the first...well written and researched...an ideal introduction to a student or researcher..." (Presence, Vol. 12, No. 6, December 2003) "...provides an excellent overview of the field...a fine textbook... I would recommend highly." (Real Time Graphics, August 2003) "...excellent...a fine addition to the bookshelves of readers..." (CyberPsychology and Behavior, Vol. 6, No. 6) "...this second edition was well overdue, but it has to be said that it has been worth the wait...a must-have book." (Assembly Automation, Vol 24(1), 2004)

A groundbreaking Virtual Reality textbook is now even better Virtual reality is a very powerful and compelling computer application by which humans can interface and interact with computer-generated environments in a way that mimics real life and engages all the senses. Although its most widely known application is in the entertainment industry, the real promise of virtual reality lies in such fields as medicine, engineering, oil exploration and the military, to name just a few. Through virtual reality scientists can triple the rate of oil discovery, pilots can dogfight numerically-superior "bandits," and surgeons can improve their skills on virtual (rather than real) patients. This Second Edition of the first comprehensive technical book on the subject of virtual reality provides updated and expanded coverage of the technology-where it originated, how it has evolved, and where it is going. The authors cover all of the latest innovations and applications that are making virtual reality more important than ever before, including:* Coverage on input and output interfaces including touch and force feedback* Computing architecture (with emphasis on the rendering pipeline and task distribution)* Object modeling (including physical and behavioral aspects)* Programming for virtual reality* An in-depth look at human factors issues, user performance, and* sensorial conflict aspects of VR* Traditional and emerging VR applicationsThe new edition of Virtual Reality Technology is specifically designed for use as a textbook. Thus it includes definitions, review questions, and a Laboratory Manual with homework and programming assignments. The accompanying CD-ROM also contains video clips that reinforce the topics covered in the textbook. The Second Edition will serve as a state-of-the-art resource for both graduate and undergraduate students in engineering, computer science, and other disciplines. GRIGORE C. BURDEA is a professor at Rutgers-the State University of New Jersey, and author of the book Force and Touch Feedback for Virtual Reality, also published by Wiley. PHILIPPE COIFFET is a Director of Research at CNRS (French National Scientific Research Center) and Member of the National Academy of Technologies of France. He authored 20 books on Robotics and VR translated into several languages. An Instructor's Manual presenting detailed solutions to all the problems in the book is available from the author's website. http://www.caip.rutgers.edu/vrtechnology/