Document

SimuSurvey X:
An Improved Virtual Surveying Instrument
Running off a Game Engine
17 March, 2011
Presenter
Prof. Shih-Chung Kang
Department of Civil Engineering
National Taiwan University
Background
• Difficulty in teaching Surveying
• Virtual reality simulation used for improvement of
surveying teaching
• The previous version - SimuSurvey
• Using the XNA gaming platform, we developed a new
virtual surveying instrument, named SimuSurvey X
SimuSurvey
•
•
•
A computer-based surveyor training tool which
simulates instrument manipulation
It has been demonstrated to be a successful tool in user
tests with 323 students.
The user interface design and deployment were two
major areas identified for further improvement.
Objective
• Continued improvement of the usability and
teaching effectiveness of SimuSurvey.
• Approach: Use the XNA gaming platform to
develop a new virtual surveying instrument,
named SimuSurvey X, with improved visual
effects and user interfaces.
Benefits with gaming platform
• Modern game consoles often have fantastic visual
effects and provide 360 degrees of navigation,
giving the users better awareness of the spatial
environment.
• Improved user interface for operating virtual
surveying instruments
• A unified hardware standard for easier
deployment, operation, and promotion.
Work Done
• The virtual instruments implemented include leveling,
theodolite and total station.
• Scenarios designed for surveying missions include leveling
surveying, horizontal angle surveying, vertical angle
surveying, traverse closed surveying and free model.
• User interfaces are designed using an iterative and
incremental user-centered development model, called the
I&I-UCD method.
• Accompanying teaching materials are prepared for
surveying courses in vocational schools and universities.
• User feedbacks are collected and analyzed for evaluation
of usability and teaching effectiveness
SimuSurvey X - User Interface
SimuSurvey X - Example Screenshots
SimuSurvey X - Demo Video
Demo Video
Outcomes
• SimuSurvey X beta version has been
released on May, 2010.
Website: http://simusurveyx.caece.net
• Companion teaching materials for
SimuSurvey X are also developed for
surveying teaching.
• Compared with the former version,
SimuSurvey X has better visual effects and
user interfaces for educational use.
Thank you!

Download Report