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!