3D Virtual Reality Environments

School of Art & Design Professor Wayne Godwin works the Visualization Technology Group at Duke University in the creation and application of virtual 3D objects for engaging student learning through the creation of 3D virtual reality environments. The groups promotes the use of visualization and virtual reality technology for improved understanding of scientific data and human cognition. Godwin's research is focused in the creation and application of virtual 3D objects. He conducts his research with 3D virtual reality environments at Duke working during the summers with Rachael Brady, the director of the Visualization Technology Group. The work is focused on low polygon modeling and animation of characters for multiple research projects, which are designed to be viewed in the DiVE, or Duke Immersive Virtual Environment, one of only a six facilities of its type in the world. In the spring of 2008, Godwin was on creative leave at Duke to continue research on photographic processes for modeling low polygon character development and the application of motion capture based animation for the DiVE. The research incorporates a multidisciplinary approach and was tested with Duke engineers and computer scientist and students in the School of Art and Design at ECU.