MSc Computing at Northampton: Play with Web Virtual Reality (VR)

This post documents some experiments with WebVR - Web based Virtual Reality - in this case based on the wonderful A-Frame (https://aframe.io) explored with MSc Computing students.

The two insights: it is great fun (which I did expect) and nowhere near as hard as I thought it was going to be when I first started. 

1. The approach
The approach used was using A-Frame (https://aframe.io) inside Thimble (https://thimble.mozilla.org ). Thimble was selected because it is an online editor,  simple to use, it is free and you see the preview immediately. The filesizes of images and videos have to be small though.

2. How easy is it?
You can treat it as if was HTML, after you have added the script file shown in bold.

    
   

The video below shows setting up and adding a box to the scene.



This next video takes this a little further by adding rotation to an object.

 

In this video mapping an image to an object and changing camera position is looked at.

 



3. Adding video
Actual in some ways it as easy to add video as adding an image, at it's simplest adding src="" with either the URL or relative filename in the speech marks can be used for both images and video. Alternatively using  combination with again the filename or URL between speech marks adds a block and pastes the video on top. The video below shows a worked example of these two approaches



4. 360 degree video.
A-Frame allows 360 degree to be incorporated into the scene using the  tag. The video below shows a worked example of this. The video below shows another worked example.



5. 3D objects and Assets
We can also add 3D models that others have developed into our scene. In the video below a Penguin, defined externally using .obj for the model and .mtl for the material, is loaded into the scene.



To read more go to https://aframe.io/docs/0.7.0/introduction/ 



All opinions in this blog are the Author's and should not in any way be seen as reflecting the views of any organisation the Author has any association with. Twitter @scottturneruonAll views and opinions are the author's and do not necessarily reflected those of any organisation they are associated with. Twitter: @scottturneruon

A Serious Games MSc - Computing, virtual reality

MSc Computing (Serious Games) University of Northampton

Serious Games are those that are designed with the main purpose not being pure entertainment, including but not exclusive to applications in defence, education and training, engineering, planning environment, medicine and behavioural change. This pathway is delivered to provide skills in necessary for serious games including, programming, modelling, internet programming and mobile devices. 

Examples of the modules include:

Media Techniques

Computers now make use of a wide variety of digital media that is sound, images and graphics. The technology behind this media and the associated problems are very easy to overlook. This module describes the way in which each media is stored and manipulated within a computer system. The module guides the student through the techniques used which are all demonstrated by practical examples. The student is equipped with the techniques necessary to manipulate the media, using standard programming languages, in the same way as a commercial media package would do.

Programming

This module is designed to give the student an awareness of programming using a commercially available portable language. The student will gain programming skills, an awareness of developing client side programs and an appreciation of a computer language.  Also focus on skills needed in the analysis, design, implementation, testing and maintenance when developing a software programme. This will enable the student to make an effective contribution to a software development project. Experience will be gained to understand and implement graphic applications, consisting of two-dimensional graphics, three-dimensional graphics and animation.

Modelling for Serious Games

This module is designed to give the student an awareness of common modelling software and practices, as well as give an insight into the background and history of modelling. It will teach students to think around common problems presented over the course of a modelling project and help them develop visualisation solutions that are suitable in terms of functionality, performance and affordability for the given application. The module will also develop a wider understanding of industry applications and standards as well as imbuing the ideas and philosophies behind modelling for enterprise. Students will be exposed to cutting edge modelling technologies, including the NVision suite of immersive technologies

Immersive Technologies

This module gives students a deeper understanding of the principles and practicses of Virtual Reality technology. 

All views and opinions are the author's and do not necessarily reflected those of any organisation they are associated with

Serious Games Masters

The University of Northampton is launching a Masters pathway on the MSc Computing programme.

Aimed at wide audience including but not exclusive to games programmers, computer scientist, as well others who have an interest in computing with some programming experience.

Some of the key features of the course include:

• Immersive technologies module covering the technologies of serious games - taught by staff who have research experience in these areas (see overview below).
• A module taking a serious game from inception to completion.
• Modules covering mobile development and programming to provide broad but relevant skills.
• Dissertation relevant to serious gaming professional.

To find out how to join this course contact Dr Scott Turner (scott.turner@northampton.ac.uk)


Overview of some of the team see some of their research.

• Dr. Maurice Hendrix

  • About
  • Teaching
  • Research
  • Publications

  Jump to: 2015 | 2014 | Other Publications

  2015

  1. Baalsrud-Hauge, J. M., Stanescu, I. A., Arnab, S., Ger, P. M., Lim, T., Serrano-Laguna, A., Lameras, P., Hendrix, M., Kiili, K., Ninaus, M., de Freitas, S., Mazzetti, A., Dahlbom, A. and Degano, C. (2015) Learning through analytics architecture to scaffold learning experience through technology-based methods.International Journal of Serious Games. 2(1), pp. 29-44. 2384-8766.

  2014

  1. Alden Rivers, B., Armellini, A., Howe, R., Simmons, M., Hendrix, M., Maxwell, R.and Harris, J. (2014) GAMEchanger: a game jam for social innovation education.In: Alden Rivers, B. and Smith, J. (eds.) Changemaker in the Curriculum: The University of Northampton: Case Studies 2013-2014. Northampton: The University of Northampton. pp. 33-34.

  This list was generated from NECTAR on Sun Mar 22 11:46:29 2015 GMT.

  Other Publications

  • ​​Lameras, P., Petridis, P., Torrens, K., Dunwell, I., Hendrix, M., Arnab, S. and Stewart, C. (2014) Training science teachers to design lesson plans through an inquiry-based serious game. In: The Sixth International Conference on Mobile Hybrid and On-line Learning (eL&mL). Barcelona, Spain: IARIA. (In Press)
  • Hendrix, M. (2013) Serious games meets adaptive hypermedia: integrating games into web-based e-learning systems. Invited Keynote presented to: 7th International Workshop on Personalized Access, Profile Management, and Context Awareness in Databases (PersDB 2013) at 39th International Conference on Very Large Databases (VL DB 2013), Riva del Garda, Trento, Italy, 30 August 2013.
  • Petridis, P., Dunwell, I., Panzoli, D., Arnab, S., Protopsaltis, A., Hendrix, M. and Freitas, S. (2013) Game engines selection framework for high-fidelity serious applications. International Journal of Interactive Worlds. 2012, pp. 1-19.21659508.
  • Flicek, P., Amode, M. R., Barrell, D., Beal, K., Brent, S., Carvalho-Silva, D., Clapham, P., Coates, G., Fairley, S., Fitzgerald, S., Gil, L., Gordon, L., Hendrix, M., Hourlier, T., Johnson, N., Kahari, A. K., Keefe, D., Keenan, S., ​Kinsella, R., Komorowska, M., Koscielny, G., Kulesha, E., Larsson, P., Longden, I., McLaren, W., Muffato, M., Overduin, B., Pignatelli, M., Pritchard, B., Riat, H. S., Ritchie, G. R. S., Ruffier, M., Schuster, M., Sobral, D., Tang, Y. A., Taylor, K., Trevanion, S., Vandrovcova, J., White, S., Wilson, M., Wilder, S. P., Aken, B. L., Birney, E., Cunningham, F., Dunham, I., Durbin, R., Fernandez-Suarez, X. M., Harrow, J., Herrero, J., Hubbard, T. J. P., Parker, A., Proctor, G., Spudich, G., Vogel, J., Yates, A., Zadissa, A. and Searle, S. M. J. (2012) Ensembl 2012. Nucleic Acids Research. 40(D1), D84-D90. 0305-1048.
  • Flicek, P., Amode, M. R., Barrell, D., Beal, K., Brent, S., Chen, Y., Clapham, P., Coates, G., Fairley, S., Fitzgerald, S., Gordon, L., Hendrix, M., Hourlier, T., Johnson, N., Kahari, A., Keefe, D., Keenan, S., Kinsella, R., Kokocinski, F., Kulesha, E., Larsson, P., Longden, I., McLaren, W., Overduin, B., Pritchard, B., Riat, H. S., Rios, D., Ritchie, G. R. S., Ruffier, M., Schuster, M., Sobral, D., Spudich, G., Tang, Y. A., Trevanion, S., Vandrovcova, J., Vilella, A. J., White, S., Wilder, S. P., Zadissa, A., Zamora, J., Aken, B. L., Birney, E., Cunningham, F., Dunham, I., Durbin, R., Fernandez-Suarez, X. M., Herrero, J., Hubbard, T. J. P., Parker, A., Proctor, G., Vogel, J. and Searle, S. M. J. (2011) Ensembl 2011. Nucleic Acids Research. 39(Databa), D800-D806. 0305-1048.
  • Albert, D., Nussbaumer, A., Steiner, C. M., Hendrix, M. and Cristea, A. I. (2009) Design and Development of an Authoring Tool for Pedagogical Relationship Types between Concepts. In: Proceedings of the International Conference on Computers in Education. Hong Kong: IEEE.
  • Cristea, A. I., Smits, D., Bevan, J. and Hendrix, M. (2009) LAG 2.0: refining a reusable adaptation language and improving on its authoring. In: Learning in the Synergy of Multiple Disciplines. Nice September: Springer, LNCS. 978-3-642-04636-0. pp. 7-21.
  • Hendrix, M., Nussbaumer, A., Dicerto, M., Oneto, L. and Cristea, A. I. (2009) GAT: The FP7 GRAPPLE Authoring Tool Set. In: "Learning in the Synergy of Multiple Disciplines". Nice, France: Springer, LNCS.
  • Hendrix, M., Cristea, A. I. and Stewart, C. (2009) Adaptation languages for learning: the CAM meta-model. In: Proceedings of the 9th IEEE International Conference on Advanced Learning Technologies (ICALT}. Riga, Latvia: IEEE.
  • Hendrix, M. and Cristea, A. I. (2008) A meta level to LAG for adaptation language re-use. In: Proceedings of the 5th Conference on Adaptive Hypermedia and Adaptive Web-Based Systems. Hannover, Germany: Springer, LNCS.
  • Hendrix, M. and Cristea, A. I. (2008) A spiral model for adding automatic, adaptive authoring to adaptive hypermedia. Journal of Universal Computer Science (J.UCS). 14(17), pp. 2799-2818.
  • Hendrix, M. and Cristea, A. I. (2008) Meta-levels of adaptation in education. In: Proceedings of the Computers and Advanced Technology in Education Conference 2008. Crete, Greece: IASTED.
  • Hendrix, M. and Cristea, A. (2008) Reuse patterns in adaptation languages: creating a meta-level for the LAG adaptation language. In: Nejdl, W., Kay, J., Pu, P. and Herder, E. (eds.) Adaptive Hypermedia and Adaptive Web-Based Systems: 5th International Conference, AH 2008, Hannover, Germany, July 29 - August 1, 2008: Proceedings. Berlin: Springer. 9783540709848. pp. 304-307.
  • Hendrix, M., De Bra, P., Pechenizkiy, M., Smits, D. and Cristea, A. (2008) Defining adaptation in a generic multi layer model: CAM: the GRAPPLE conceptual adaptation model. In: Dillenbourg, P. and Specht, M. (eds.) Times of Convergence: Technologies Across Learning Contexts: Third European Conference on Technology Enhanced Learning, EC-TEL 2008, Maastricht, The Netherlands, September 16-19, 2008: Proceedings. Berlin: Springer. 9783540876045. pp. 132-143.
  • Hendrix, M. and Cristea, A. (2007) A qualitative and quantitative evaluation of adaptive authoring of adaptive hypermedia. In: Duval, E., Klamma, R. and Wolpers, M. (eds.) Creating New Learning Experiences on a Global Scale: Second European Conference on Technology Enhanced Learning, EC-TEL 2007, Crete, Greece, September 17-20, 2007. Proceedings. Berlin: Springer. 9783540751946. pp. 71-85.
  • Hendrix, M. and Cristea, A. I. (2007) Evaluating adaptive authoring of adaptive hypermedia. In: 11th International Conference on User Modelling. Confu, Greece: Springer, LNAI.
  • Hendrix, M., Cristea, A. and Joy, M. (2007) Evaluating the automatic and manual creation process of adaptive lessons. In: Spector, M. J., Sampson, D. G., Okamoto, T., Cerri, S. A., Ueno, M. and Kashihara, A. (eds.)Seventh IEEE International Conference on Advanced Learning Technologies: Proceedings: ICALT 2007: July 18-20, 2007, Niigata, Japan. Los Alamitos, California: IEEE Computer Society. 076952916X. pp. 442-446.
  • Hendrix, M., Cristea, A. and Nejdl, W. (2007) Authoring adaptive educational hypermedia on the semantic desktop. International Journal of Learning Technology. 3(3), p. 230. 1477-8386.
  • Hendrix, M., Cristea, A. I. and Nejdl, W. (2006) Authoring Adaptive Learning Material on the Semantic Desktop. In: proceedings of the 1st International Workshop on Authoring of Adaptive and Adaptable Hypermedia at 4th International Workshop on Authoring of Adaptive & Adaptable Educational Hypermedia. Dublin, Ireland: Springer, LNCS.
  • Cristea, A., Hendrix, M. and Nejdl, W. (2006) Automatic and manual annotation using flexible schemas for adaptation on the semantic desktop. In: Innovative Approaches for Learning and Knowledge Sharing.Crete, Greece: Springer LNCS. 978-3-540-46234-7. pp. 88-102.
  • Norta, A., Hendrix, M. and Grefen, P. (2006) A pattern-knowledge base supported establishment of inter-organisational business processes. In: Norta, A., Hendrix, M. and Grefen, P. (eds.) On the Move to Meaningful Internet Systems 2006: OTM 2006 Workshops. Montpellier, France: Springer, LNCS. pp. 834-843.

• Dr. Yinghui Zhang

  • About
  • Teaching
  • Research
  • Publications

  Jump to: | 2010 | Other Publications

  2010

  1. Zhang, Y. (2010) A multi-asperity surface contact model for the simulation of friction in virtual environments.In: Richir, S. and Shirai, A. (eds.) Proceedings of Virtual Reality International Conference (VRIC 2010).
  2. Zhao, F., Turner, S. J., Dravid, R., Hill, G. and Zhang, Y. (2010) A virtual environment training system for haptic laparoscopic surgery. Paper presented to: 16th International Conference on Automation and Computing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, 11 September 2010.

  This list was generated from NECTAR on Sun Mar 22 11:48:34 2015 GMT.

  Other Publications

  Books

  • Fuyong Yuan, Yinghui Zhang, Yufeng Liu, The Design and Analysis of Computer Algorithm. China Machinery Press, Beijing, 1998.

  Papers

  1. Yinghui Zhang, R.Phillips, Efficient and accurate simulation of friction using a multi-asperity surface contact model. EuroHaptic2004, Munich, Germany.
  2. Yinghui Zhang, R.Phillips, A dynamic friction model for haptic simulation of needle insertion. Medicine Meets Virtual Reality 13, California, USA, 2005
  3. Yinghui Zhang, R.Phillips, A multi-asperity friction model for haptic rendering in virtual environments. CACSUK05, Sept. 2005, Sheffiled, UK

If you'd like to find out more about Computing at the University of Northampton go to: www.computing.northampton.ac.uk. All views and opinions are the author's and do not necessarily reflected those of any organisation they are associated with

MSc Computing Student work - University of Northampton

The dissertation is an important element of the MSc courses. The range and nature of the dissertations on MSc Computing  varies, below are some links to blog postings that I hope give a flavour some of the topics MSc students have  investigated:

• Web Analytics
• Analytics enhancements using rankings
• Comparative Statistical Analysis of Multiple Web Analytics Tools
• IT in developing countries
• ADOPTION OF IT IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: THE CASE OF NEPAL
• Hospital Management in Rural Pakistan
•  Augmented reality
• Development of an Augmented Reality (AR) application for android mobiles
•   Internet Technologies
• HTTP Push in browser based Web Applications
• Generic Google Maps Project
• Interactive TV applied to internet broadcast media
• Tool for web application vulnerability scanning

• Cloud Computing Infrastructure

  
  

One ex-student has turned his dissertation into a book.

Computing Courses

BSc and HND Computing Provision (click on the links below for more details of the courses)

• BEng/MEng Computing (Computer Networks Engineering)
• BEng/MEng Computing (Computer Systems Engineering) 

• BSc (Hons) Computing (also available part-time)
• BSc (Hons) Computing (Graphics and Visualisation)
• BSc (Hons) Computing (Internet Technology and Security)
• BSc (Hons) Computing (Mobile Computing)
• BSc (Hons) Computing (Software Engineering)
• BSc (Hons) Computing - One Year Top-Up 
• BSc  Computer Games Development
• HND Computing (Compute​r Net​works Engineering)
• HND Computing (Computer Systems Engineering)
• HND Computing (Graphics and Visualisation)
• HND Computing (Internet Tech​nolog​y and Security)
• HND Computing (Mobile Computing)
• HND Computing (Software Engine​ering) 
• HND Com​puting

The University of Northampton's, Department of Computing and Immersive Technologies offers five courses within the MSc Computing postgraduate provision (shown below) all available either part-time or full-time. 

• MSc Computing
• MSc Computing (Internet Technology and Security)
• MSc Computing (Computer Networks Engineering)
• MSc Computing (Software Engineering)
• MSc Computing (Immersive Technologies)

The contents are the opinion of the author(s) and not necessarily the view of the University of Northampton.