Motivation

Forabetter understanding of the complex eco system of coral reefs, the project VRCoralReef aims to create a realistic and engaging underwater virtual environment. In cooperation with the Center for Tropic Marine Ecology Bremen (ZMT), students will gain unique insights in coral growth and spatial interaction. Based on this knowledge and on a given framework, the students will create a highly immersive simulation which they enrich with fish schools, 3D models of corals, and environmental objects such as sea plants. For an optimal result, we would like to attract both digital media and computer science students. Thus, the project will have actually two focuses. On the one hand, students with an interest in design and 3D modeling can focus on the creation of high-quality 3D models with animation tools (like 3D Studio Max, or whatever they prefer). In addition, they can develop the user interface, and and design a unique project identity. In order to increase the immersion, the students can also enrich the virtual environment with 3D sound. On the other hand, those students with interest in programming and/or algorithms can focus on the simulation “intelligent” behavior like schools of fish, or more natural simulation of growth plants in 3D, or the simulation of deformation and motion of plants under water, or navigation of the users (i.e., camera movement).

Another motivation is to work with a combination of many interesting technologies: