 |
| Table of Contents: |
 Summary |
| Purpose of Application |
| Construction Process |
| User Manual |
| Problems Encountered |
| Remaining Shortcomings |
| Future Additions |
 Multimedia Gallery |
| Summary |  |
|
Our Virtual Reality Project is a VRML model of the Selimeye Mosque in Edirne, Turkey. The catalyst for pursuing this project is to raise cultural awareness about a great piece of architecture that is otherwise unknown in our country. We used virtual reality to model this mosque because it allows us to capture the various geometrical intricacies of this great architecture. It also allows the user to experience the mosque in its full grandeur and also appreciate elements that would otherwise be inaccessible.
|
|
| Purpose of Application | |
|
The practical application of the virtual mosque is twofold, on one hand it can be used for educational purposes such a survey of Ottoman Architecture and Art. And on the other hand it can be used for commercial purposes such as promoting tourism and planning for historical restoration.
|
|
| Construction Process | |
|
Creating an accurately scaled model of the Selimeye Model is no simple task. In order to ensure that all the components are precisely scaled, we conducted extensive research and obtained antiqued blueprints that gave use an approximate scale to reference to. Due to our familiarity with FormZ, we choose to model our complicated geometric shapes in FormZ and then export it to a 3DS model that can be later integrated into 3D Studio Max. We created the more primitive geometries in 3d Studio Max and then gradually merged all the pieces in 3D Studio Max and then export the model to VRML. Concurrently we maintain the minimum possible polygon counts to insure swift usability of our model via Cosmo player.
One of the most difficult and painstaking tasks were to merged every component together use the weld tool. This was done by converting each object to a mesh and then target weld each component together. The seamless object is testimony to his time intensive venture. Without optimization the polygon count of the model was approximately 292,000. Such a high count would have made the model impossible to view on the average personal computer. At this junction, we decided that it would profit us to optimize the Max renditions before exporting, thus reducing the polygon count to approximately 100,000. Such a compromise was somewhat apparent in the spherical structures of the mosque such as the courtyard domes. However, it was agreed that this inferior rendition was imperative if one was to actually use the model in a academic setting. |
|
| User Manual | |
|
In order to view the model, the user is expected to furnish himself with certain hardware and software, such as a Pentium 4 with 512 MB of RAM, a 3D graphics card, a browser, preferably internet explorer, and a Cosmo player.
To browse through the model, you can either navigate through the various pre-determined viewpoint or manually explore the model utilizing Cosmo player's 'walk' function. We recommend that the user explore the model manually in order to fully appreciate the geometrical intricacies of the model. |
|
| Problems encountered | |
|
The employment several platforms gave rise to various problems regarding integration and conversion. When exporting to 3D Studio MAX from FormZ, we experience a great deal of difficulty retaining the original textures, colors, and geometries. This bogged down the development process because it forced us to recreate objects and retexture them. Furthermore when exporting 3D Max to VRML, we were confronted with the issue of polygon count. Due to our abnormally complex model, we possessed a polygon count that routinely brought out 3D development environments to a snail's pace.
We conclude that in the future, we should stick with one development environment in order to avoid unnecessary integration issues, so we could focus on the modeling rather an on the development tools. |
|
| Remaining Shortcomings | |
|
We would like to incorporate additional features such as a textual narrative accompanying with the existing viewpoints. Furthermore, it is imperative that we add addition texture maps to the exterior of the model so that the whiteness of the model can be eliminated. The additional contrast will further exacerbate the feeling of realism.
|
|
| Future Additions | |
|
It would be a great addition if we were to incorporate sound clipping like the 'call to prayer' when one approaches the minerats. This would make the experience more authentic and more immersive. Also we could experiment with a more realistic lighting that would further improve the exterior environment.
|
|
| Go to the Multimedia Gallery | |