Abstract
The paper describes creation methods of background scenes to implement realistic virtual environments in the VRSS (Virtual Reality Ship Simulator). VRSS is next-generation system constructed with virtual tools in a virtual space. Thus, it could have many benefits compared to conventional ship simulators composed with heavy bridge mock-up system and wide visual presentations. In this work, we developed effective 3D object modeling techniques, and constructed virtual harbor scene by using 3D-Webmaster authoring tool. The virtual harbor was built with object-oriented 3D objects modeled to interact with user's action. With the immersion-type VR system, we created virtual harbor environments in a virtual space, and discussed on the naturalness of the scene with test results of SDMPA (Semantic Differential Method for Psychophysical Assessment) by 10 subjects. As the results of subject assessment, all of the participants could felt natural-like harbor. Therefore, we found that the proposed creation methods and procedures of background scene are enabling to fit to the full mission VRSS construction.
