Samuel Degrande

Spin: A 3D interface for cooperative work

In this paper, we present a three-dimensional user interface for synchronous co-operative work, Spin, which has been designed for multi-user synchronous real-time applications to be used in, for example, meetings and learning situations. Spin is based on a new metaphor of virtual workspace. We have designed an interface, for an office environment, which recreates the three-dimensional elements needed during a meeting and increases the users scope of interaction. In order to accomplish these objectives, animation and three-dimensional interaction in real time are used to enhance the feeling of collaboration within the three-dimensional workspace. Spin is designed to maintain a maximum amount of information visible. The workspace is created using artificial geometry — as opposed to true three-dimensional geometry — and spatial distortion, a technique that allows all documents and information to be displayed simultaneously while centring the users focus of attention. Users interact with each other via their respective clones, which are three-dimensional representations displayed in each users interface, and are animated with user action on shared documents. An appropriate object manipulation system (direct manipulation, 3D devices and specific interaction metaphors) is used to point out and manipulate 3D documents.

VRML data sharing in the spin-3D CVE

In this paper, we present the design and implementation of a VRML97 multi-user layer introduced in SPIN-3D, our Distributed Collaborative Virtual Environment. The main consideration of our multi-user extension is the ease of design of multi-user objects from single-user standard VRML97 objects. Any standard VRML97 browser must at least display the single-user content without taking account of the multi-user description. Whereas other approaches use a VRML node insertion mechanism, such as in Living Worlds, our approach uses a substitution mechanism. And beneath our multi-user extension, we use the Common Object Request Broker Architecture to provide a network communication layer for supporting the virtual meetings.

Collaborating with Virtual Humans

In real work group situations we naturally and unconsciously use the nonverbal channel tocommunicate. In Collaborative Virtual Environments (CVE) anthropomorphic avatars can be used to provide this channel.

Computer-Aided Collaborative Work into War Rooms: A New Approach of Collaboration

This paper presents the realization of a new software and hardware platform for collocated collaborative work. Our objective is to take the most of the various competences of the teammates. We have created an architecture named MVT (model, view, tool) for supporting collaborative interaction in war-room-like environments. This software distribution offers various interactions modalities, allowing multi-skilled teams to collaborate using different input devices, thanks to multiple visualization and interaction channels.