This work focuses on on-line real-time virtual reality. Specifically, we investigates into the ways realistic models of buildings can be animated as walk-throughs remotely using the Internet. This technology is also referred to as Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML). We have studied extensively the implications of VRML models for the representation of architectural spaces. The Principle Investigator for these project, Dr. Kostas Terzidis is the author of many computer applications for computer vision, solid modeling, and real-time animation. His most recent work is the development of a geometric modeling system in JAVA, called formNet.

Dr. Terzidis has developed a research area that intends to help architects, designers, and artists visualize, evaluate, and present their work using the Internet. He experimented in four directions: a) models of existing, proposed, or historic buildings, b) virtual services, c) painting spaces, and d) 3D world maps.

a) Modeling building: In these projects he combines relatively simple three-dimensional models of buildings with aerial photographs and street level video to create a realistic (down to plants, street signs, and graffiti on the walls) model of an urban neighborhood. The models are then used for interactive fly and walk-through demonstrations over the Internet on any computer platform. An advantage of this method is that he uses relatively inexpensive hardware/software and the resulting files are very small in size. There are many projects in this direction including the Getty museum, UCLA's North Campus, Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, and an urban block in Venice, CA.

b) Virtual Services: VRML models combined with Java code are used to create virtual services for web pages on the Internet. Specifically, a virtual cinema-theater, a video store, and an art gallery were implemented to show the potential of this approach. The idea is to show how a user might interact with a 3D environment to access or retrieve information.

c) Painting Spaces: Three-dimensional versions of existing paintings were developed. Textures were taken from the images of the paintings and mapped to the models representing the 3D world that the painting represents. Giorgio de Chirico's and David Hockney's paintings were used among others.

d) World Map: A VRML facilities management scheme has been developed for browsing and searching in a 3D hierarchical environment.

All of the projects can be seen at http://www.cda.ucla.edu/caad/