Hi- I am but a lowly brain scientist trying to use Java3D and VRML to study spatial cognition. Please be patient with my ignorance! Let me say that the technical expertise on this forum is quite impressive. I have two problems that I need to address. First a little background might help. Background: I am looking at brain activity using brain imaging while subjects navigate in VR environments. In experiments that I have done in rats, the neurons in the hippocampus (a region of brain tissue important for spatial memory) were modulated by starting and stopping goal directed trajectories. This may prove important to understanding how subjects learn about specific locations in real and VR space. In humans, I am restricted to using functional magnetic resonance imaging to measure brain activity. I want to have the human push a start/stop button to navigate fixed trajectories through the environment. As long as the button is being held down, the subject moves along the path (usually a circle). This is exactly what the rats did in my earlier experiments. So far, I have been able to load a VRML environment into a Java frame. Does anyone have some examples of using the PositionPathInterpolator to move along a trajectory? I could not find any on the web. Because MRI uses huge magnet, all user interface stuff is limited. We have access to goggles that will project separate video signals to each eye such that stereoscopic views of the environment are possible. Would anyone have suggestions how to get dual vga out? There is a card on the market called the Tridium that has two vga's out so that two monitors can act as one huge monitor. I have done 3D static images by pasting together two stereoviews side by side and sticking each vga out into the monitor of each of the subjects eyes. Something like this might be possible with Java3D but I wondering if anyone has suggestions or a neat trick to do this. Finally, if there are any manufacturers out there who would like to contribute their equipment to this research, we would be grateful. I will be looking at various neurophysiological signals in humans and animals during VR experience (for example, using VR GUIs, 3D vs. 2D experience, etc.). Sensors, goggles, vestibular stimulators, and other equipment would all be welcome. Thanks for any help. Alex Terrazas Research Fellow National Institute of Mental Health
