Welcome to X-SITE
Overview
The Freiberg X-SITE (eXtreme definition Spatial Immersion and interacTion Environment) is an innovative Virtual Reality CAVE that provides visualizations in ultra-high resolution of over 30 million pixels. Similar to other CAVE-like displays, 3D visualizations of interactive virtual worlds are projected on multiple wall-sized projection screens. As distinctive feature of the X-SITE, images on the projection walls are generated through the coordinated operation of (so far) 18 full HD projectors. Even in very close distance to the projection walls users experience smooth, detailed images but not individual pixels. The combination of extreme definition visualization quality and reduced space requirements makes the X-SITE a one-of-a-kind Virtual Reality room.
Mission
Visualization plays a vital role for research in natural sciences and engineering where scientists increasingly rely on simulations to verify models, processes, and prototypes. The X-SITES’s extreme definition visualization capabilities are the perfect match for highy detailed simulations run on today’s supercomputers.In addition to mere visualization, Virtual Reality aims to provide intuitive interaction capabilities based on the evaluation of the user’s body movements in 3D space. Therefore, planned extensions of the X-SITE include a comprehensive tracking system for monitoring the user’s body and hand movements as well as hand-held 3D interaction devices. Through this, scientists can explore simulations in innovative ways.
The general research goals of the X-SITE are twofold:
- to advance research in the design of extreme-resolution Virtual Reality displays (i.e. displays that greatly enhance the user’s sight when inspecting and exploring virtual worlds)
- to promote Virtual Reality as a research tool in natural sciences and engineering (i.e. to provide tools for generating novel in-sight into scientific models and processes as well as improved fore-sight e.g. when designing new machines)
Above all, the X-SITE aims to excite the inspiration of researchers and students by empowering them with an exceptional tool for better imagining, visualizing, understanding – and ultimately shaping the future.
Technology
The setup of the X-SITE began in November 2008 with the installation of an extreme resolution, multiple projection screen display:
- 4 projection walls (front, left, right, floor), side walls approximately dimensioned at 3 x 3 m.
- A total of 18 HD projection units, each featuring a 1920 x 1080 resolution; accounting for necessary overlap of the projected images, the combined resolution is estimated at about 30 million pixels (i.e. about 10 million pixels per side wall, by far exceeding traditional CAVE-like displays).
- Reduced spatial requirements: Projection screens are set up at only about 1 m distance from the physical wall. This compares favorably to traditional projection based displays that typically require at least 3 m space behind the projection screens.
- Active stereo.
- Optical tracking system with 12 infrared cameras.
- Interaction: head tracking, fly stick, data glove, finger tracking, full body motion capture, fly stick, iphone, …
Acknowledgements
Construction of the X-SITE is supported by grants of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) and the Federal State of Saxony.
The X-SITE’s ultra-definition display was designed and installed by Mersive.