Virtual Reality and Visualization

The Reality Center offers unique, high-tech Virtual Reality (VR) facilities. To facilitate the use of this installation by scientists, the Reality Center develops in-house 3D software solutions and adapts existing software to run in the Reality Cube and Reality Theatre.

As companies and other non-university parties can also benefit from the VR technology and expertise from the Reality Center, these high-tech facilities have a wide impact even outside the university, strengthening the (local) economy. Many successful projects in the field of architectural and landscape visualization have been carried out in this way.

Below is a list of various 3D visualization and Virtual Reality applications done by the Reality Center.

VR in psychology

In addition to its many uses in the exact sciences, Virtual Reality (VR) has many uses in the field of psychology. Offering high levels of repeatability and control, it is an excellent platform for conducting psychological experiments. Also, VR allows for effective treatment of anxiety disorders such as acrophobia, agoraphobia, fear of flying, eating disorders and social disorders. »

Astronomy

Recent advances in modern astronomy provide us with a huge amount of data and information about the universe. Positional data is no longer limited to our own solar system - we now have accurate positional data for stars, the interstellar medium and even galaxies. Virtual Reality is used in the Reality Cube to render and comprehend this huge environment. »

Landscape Architecture / Urban planning

A landschape architect solves spatial problems by designing and visualizing new topographical situations. By using Virtual Reality, questions regarding lines of sight or water heights can be answered easily and clearly. »

Data visualization

3D visualization and Virtual Reality are powerful tools for gaining insight into large amounts of abstract data, such as simulation results, online databases or scientific measurement data. »

Interior design

With our 3D design software, you can interactively design the interior of your office, house or boat while being immersed in the model itself. Objects such as desks, walls or cupboards can be moved, rotated or copy-pasted at will, and colours and materials can be changed as well. This allows you to experiment with different solutions for design problems, and involving the end user in the whole process often leads to a better design. »

Art and exhibitions

Virtual Reality (and 3D in general) is a powerful platform for many artistic applications. The Reality Center has created several museum exhibits and also supports artists creating works in 3D. The Reality Cube has served as a platform for an abstract art work, and a play was performed in the Reality Theatre. »

Simulations

The Reality Center is not only involved in simulations of molecular dynamics, fluid dynamics, etc. (conducted using the high performance computing facilities),  but also in the simulation of people or the simulation of vehicles. »

VR in history and archaeology

Virtual Reality is an excellent way of bringing ancient history to life. By using 3D reconstructions, experts can answer many historical questions, for example regarding the construction of a building or lines of sight in a town. Additionally, Virtual Reality is ideally suited to communicating historical knowledge to a broad audience. »

Oil & gas industry

NAM (Shell/Exxon) works together with the Reality Center on all kinds of visualization problems, with a focus on seismic data and landscape visualizations, for example when a drilling rig is planned at some location. »