Virtual RushVirtual Rush

A Masters ThesisA Masters Thesis

By Jeff FederBy Jeff Feder

Overview of the PresentationOverview of the Presentation

The need for a Virtual RushThe need for a Virtual Rush

What a Virtual Rush consists ofWhat a Virtual Rush consists of

Comparing two different 3D viewer/builder Comparing two different 3D viewer/builder programsprograms

The Virtual houseThe Virtual house

Future Uses of the Virtual houseFuture Uses of the Virtual house

The NeedThe Need

Kappa Sigma has been on MSU’s campus Kappa Sigma has been on MSU’s campus since 1937.since 1937.

One of 26 Fraternities on campus.One of 26 Fraternities on campus.

It’s a “small” house.It’s a “small” house.

Losing numbers every yearLosing numbers every year

Past RushesPast Rushes

Formal RushFormal Rush

Designated week in the beginning of each Designated week in the beginning of each semester.semester.

Guests can go on tours, meet members, Guests can go on tours, meet members, and ask questions.and ask questions.

A New WayA New Way

Extending Rush WeekExtending Rush Week

How?How?

Create an event that does not require physical Create an event that does not require physical attendance.attendance.

Create a 3D model of the Fraternity house, and Create a 3D model of the Fraternity house, and hold a Virtual Rush.hold a Virtual Rush.

Existing TechnologyExisting Technology

3D Virtual Reality websites3D Virtual Reality websites

They look interestingThey look interesting

Have potentialHave potential

3D State vs. Adobe Atmosphere3D State vs. Adobe Atmosphere

3D State and Adobe Atmosphere are the 3D State and Adobe Atmosphere are the two leading 3D viewer/builder packages two leading 3D viewer/builder packages available on the internet.available on the internet.

Experiment:Experiment: Monitored 5 studentsMonitored 5 students ““Talk out loud”Talk out loud” Small goalsSmall goals

Experiment FindingsExperiment Findings

3D State3D State

Less BugsLess Bugs Easier to ManeuverEasier to Maneuver Limited in CapabilitiesLimited in Capabilities No Chat FunctionNo Chat Function

LOSERLOSER

Adobe AtmosphereAdobe Atmosphere

More BugsMore Bugs Harder to ManeuverHarder to Maneuver A lot of OptionsA lot of Options Chat FunctionChat Function

WINNERWINNER

Pre-ProductionPre-Production

Design Goals:Design Goals:

AccuracyAccuracy

AppealingAppealing

MembersMembers

VisitorsVisitors

Building the HouseBuilding the House

Taking Digital PicturesTaking Digital Pictures

Created from the top floor downCreated from the top floor down

Every complicated scenarioEvery complicated scenario Slanted ceilingSlanted ceiling Wall cutoutsWall cutouts DoorwaysDoorways StaircaseStaircase

LightingLighting

Insert the lightingInsert the lighting

Atmosphere calculated the lighting for meAtmosphere calculated the lighting for me

TexturingTexturing

Advanced TexturesAdvanced Textures

Import graphicsImport graphics

Paste textures onto walls and objectsPaste textures onto walls and objects

FurnitureFurniture

Atmosphere objectsAtmosphere objects Hit DetectionHit Detection EditableEditable Bigger file sizeBigger file size Calculated with the Calculated with the

environment’s lightingenvironment’s lighting

Viewpoint objectsViewpoint objects Walk throughWalk through Can’t make changesCan’t make changes Small file sizeSmall file size Not calculated with the Not calculated with the

environment’s lightingenvironment’s lighting

On the WebOn the Web

Posted the virtual house on the webPosted the virtual house on the web

Everyone has an avatarEveryone has an avatar

Able to see everyone logged into Virtual Able to see everyone logged into Virtual RushRush

Able to chat with everyoneAble to chat with everyone

The Virtual RushThe Virtual Rush

2 hour period during Fall 2003 semester2 hour period during Fall 2003 semester

4 active members at CAS building4 active members at CAS building

7 participants online7 participants online 4 active members4 active members 3 Rush guests3 Rush guests

Good Overall responseGood Overall response

Virtual Rush FindingsVirtual Rush Findings

Focus groupFocus group

Everyone felt free to exploreEveryone felt free to explore

Impressed with the virtual house and Impressed with the virtual house and Virtual Rush ideaVirtual Rush idea

Believed it was realBelieved it was real

Future UsesFuture Uses

Future Rush toolFuture Rush tool

Virtual Fraternity houseVirtual Fraternity house

Active Members and AlumniActive Members and Alumni

Visit and communicate when not Visit and communicate when not physically possiblephysically possible

Explore Virtual RushExplore Virtual Rush

Explore Virtual RushExplore Virtual Rush

Thank you!Thank you!