Effective virtual reality based building navigation using dynamic loading and path optimization

Although computer capabilities have been improved significantly, a large-scale virtual reality (VR) system demands much more in terms of memory and computation than the current computer systems can offer. This paper discusses two important issues related to VR performance and applications in building navigation. These are dynamic loading of models based on cell segmentation for the optimal VR operation, and the route optimization based on path planning for easy navigation. The VR model of engineering and information technology complex (EITC) building at the University of Manitoba is built as an example to show the feasibility of the proposed methods. The reality, enhanced by three-dimensional (3D) real-time interactivity and visualization, leads navigators into a state of the virtual building immersion.