Subject: VIRTUAL PLANE QUESTIONNAIRE

From: [email-masked] (Alex Savioli)
Date: 28 Jan 1996 10:23:26 GMT

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		 	 VIP Project

	 	T H E   V I R T U A L   P L A N E 

 	QUESTIONNAIRE FOR ARCHITECTS AND USERS  INVOLVED
	IN ARCHITECTURAL, ENVIRONMENTAL AND URBAN DESIGN

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1.  INTRODUCTION

Savioli firm is involved in a project, called VIP (Virtual Plane), 
supported by the European Commission in the fourth framework 
of ESPRIT. 
In the course of this project an innovative graphical display 
system is developed. The output device is changed to a horizontal,
enlarged desktop version, onto which computer-generated stereoscopic
images are projected. Three-dimensional objects appear to float in
this interactive co-operative workplace. Visual and acoustical
impressions are perceived using shutter-glasses, and an audio stereo
headset. The user interacts with the virtual scenario and
manipulates it in analogy to the real world.
In order to adapt the new technology to the user we currently
identify the architects working process as well as the requirements
of their needs. This questionnaire represents a tool to analyse the
users daily work and their requirements according the environment.
We would appreciate your collaboration in answering the questions as
well as in spreading it among people that you know might be willing
to fill it. We thank you very much in advance for your help.
If you are interested in this new technology it would be a pleasure
to us to keep you posted on the project process and on the specific
results of this survey.

Please, reply your questionnaire to:

ALESSANDRO SAVIOLI
architettura  e  progettazione

P.zza Corvetto, 3 / 4
16122 GENOVA
ITALY

Tel +39 10 543 305
Fax +39 10 562 103
E-mail: [email-masked]

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2.   HARDWARE PLATFORM

This questionnaire addresses architects and architectural firms using
CAD system (and its extensions) for architectural, environmental and
urban design. In succession we list some notes regarding different
hardware platforms used in computer design (minimum configuration).

A. CAD (Computer Aided Design)
System based on workstation type computer, CPU with medium
elaborative capability, (Intel 486 type or higher), 2D or 3D software
(Autocad, Microstation, etc), software for architecture if
required (ArcCAD,etc).

B. Static Simulation (rendering)
System based on workstation type computer, CPU with good elaborative
capability, (Intel Pentium 75 type or higher), 2D or 3D software
(Autocad, Microstation, ecc), software for architecture if
required (ArcCAD,etc), solid modeling software for architecture
(3D Studio, etc), rendering software (3D Studio, Accurender, etc).

C. Dynamic Simulation (movie walkthrough)
System based on workstation type computer, CPU with high elaborative
capability, (Intel Pentium 100 type or higher), video card for
visualisation of static images in sequence, 2D or 3D software
(Autocad, Microstation, ecc), software for architecture if
required (ArcCAD,ecc), solid modeling software for architecture
(3D Studio, etc), movie software for architectural walktrhough
(3D Studio, etc).

D. Virtual Reality
System based on workstation type computer, CPU with very high
elaborative capability, (Intel Pentium 150 type or higher), video
card for real time rendering with textures, 2D or 3D software (Autocad,
Microstation, ecc), software for architecture if required
(ArcCAD,ecc), solid modeling software for architecture
(3D Studio, etc), Virtual Reality software for real time walkthrough
(Sense 8 Worldtoolkit, Sense 8 World Up, etc). Hardware for
stereoscopic viewing: LCD shuttering glasses, Head Mounted Display
with head tracker.

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3.  	QUESTIONNAIRE

3.1.  	General Informations

3.1.1. 	Can you please give us some of your personal informations:

Age: 		from 0 to 18	[  ]
		from 19 to 35	[  ]
		from 36 to 55	[  ]
		from 56 to 75	[  ]

3.1.2.  Profession:

3.1.3.  Your function:

3.1.4.  Please, specify your organisation activity

3.1.5.  How many employees does your organisation count?

1 - 5				[  ]		
6 - 10				[  ]
11 - 20				[  ]
21 - 50				[  ]
More than 50			[  ]

3.1.6.  Which are the proceeds of your organisation? (in US$)

0 - 100.000			[  ]
100.000 - 300.000		[  ]		
300.000 - 500.000		[  ]
500.000 - 1.000.000		[  ]
More than 1.000.000		[  ]

3.2.	Current Working Environment 	

3.2.1.	Where do you carry out your planning of the model?

In your office			[  ]
In your studio			[  ]
Others				....

3.2.2.	Where do you show the model to the client?
(please, sign one or more)

In your office			[  ]
In your studio			[  ]
Others		       		....

3.2.3.	Do you use special technical equipment for planning
your model?

If yes, what kind of?

3.2.4	Which kind of CAD software do you use?

2D				[  ]	
3D				[  ]

3.2.5.	Please, number the voices (1 to 8) relatively to preference
you assign to CAD process:

[  ]  To lower the working times
[  ]  To improve the design quality
[  ]  To project aesthetical solutions
[  ]  To improve comprehensiblity of the project
[  ]  To verify structural behaviour with simulations
[  ]  Cause its flexibility
[  ]  For the iteration in reaching the final project solution
[  ]  Others, which:

3.2.6.	Which kind of representation do you use for showing the model?
(please, sign one or more)

Classical drawing representation (3D perspectives or 2D views) 	[  ]
Static simulation (rendering)					[  ]
Dynamic simulation (movie walkthrough)				[  ]
Virtual Reality							[  ]

3.2.7	How do you show the model to the client?
(please, sign one or more)

2D views			[  ]
3D views			[  ]
Photomontages			[  ]
Renderings of the project	[  ]
Movie walkthrough		[  ]
Virtual Reality presentation	[  ]
Others				....

3.3.	Possible Improvements

3.3.1.	What do you think about the help of interactive planning
of a model and the consequences concerning the improvement of
your activity?

3.3.2.	What do you think about modifying the project features
regarding colours, materials and functionality, directly manipulating
the 3D model with the mouse or another pointing device while
observating the project?

Very helpful			[  ]
Helpful				[  ]
Not important			[  ]
A little helpful		[  ]
Useless				[  ]

3.3.3.	Do you think a 3-dimensional stereoscopic representation
of the model including the representation of materials and colours
would be useful for planning a model and would improve the results?

3.3.4.	How do you think about co-opertive work with other architects
located in a different office, but seeing the same model on a
separate output device?

3.3.5.	Are you willing to use shutter-glasses and/or a dataglove?

3.3.6.	Which are your prerequisites to use a new technology
(size, performance, input device, costs, etc.)?

3.4.	Output Device

3.4.1.	What is your opinion about working at a horizontal workplace
instead of a vertical workplace (e.g. monitor)?

3.4.2.	Do you think it would be helpful to use a workstation
equipped with a special output device as described in the
introduction?

Very helpful			[  ]
Helpful				[  ]
Not important			[  ]
A little helpful		[  ]
Useless				[  ]

3.4.3.	What would you like to project onto a horizontal output
device? Please list your ideas:

3.4.4.	Which scaling would you prefer for the 3-dimensional
representation of your model?

1 : 1 (original size)		[  ]
2 : 1 (double size)		[  ]
1 : 2 (half size)		[  ]
Others				....

3.4.5.	If this hardware device would exist, which graphic resolution
do you think is needed? (in pixels)

640 x 480			[  ]
800 x 600			[  ]
1024 x 768			[  ]
1280 x 1024			[  ]
More than 1280 x 1024		[  ]

3.4.6.	Which size of a representation area would be appropriate
in your opinion if you could see your model 3-dimensional and by
any angle?

40 x 15 cm			[  ]
40 x 40 cm 			[  ]
80 x 80 cm 			[  ]
Others				....

3.5.	Financial Questions

3.5.1.	If this hardware device would exist, how much would you spend
for its hardware and its software related applications? (in US$)

1.000 - 5.000			[  ]
5.000 - 10.000			[  ]
10.000 - 20.000			[  ]
20.000 - 50.000			[  ]
50.000 - 100.000		[  ]
More than 100.000		[  ]

3.5.2.	Which investment per year made your organisation for CAD
hardware and software related products at the present time? (in US$)

0 - 10.000			[  ]
10.000 - 50.000			[  ]
50.000 - 100.000		[  ]
More than 100.000		[  ]

3.5.3.	Where do you think your organisation would make an investment
in the future?

2D CAD				[  ]
3D CAD				[  ]
Rendering			[  ]
Movie walkthrough		[  ]
Virtual Reality			[  ]
Others				....

3.5.4.	Do you have further comments, questions or ideas?

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Thank you very much for your help. If you have any questions, please
feel free to contact me:

ALESSANDRO SAVIOLI
architettura  e  progettazione

P.zza Corvetto, 3 / 4
16122 GENOVA
ITALY

Tel +39 10 543 305
Fax +39 10 562 103
E-mail: [email-masked]

THE VIP Project PARTNERS:

Artificial Intelligent Software S.p.A. (project coordinator)
Via Esterle, 9
20132  MILANO
ITALY

Tel +39.2.280.141
Fax +39.2.2610.853

Technical contact: Luciano Marenzi
E-mail: [email-masked]

BARCO N.V., BARCO PROJECTION SYSTEM
Pres.Kennedy Park, 35
8500 KORTRIJK
BELGIUM

Tel +32.56.238.611
Fax +32.56.260.418

Technical contact: Camiel Derycke
E-mail: [email-masked]

ALESSANDRO SAVIOLI
architettura  e  progettazione

P.zza Corvetto, 3 / 4
16122 GENOVA
ITALY

Tel +39 10 543 305
Fax +39 10 562 103

Technical contact: Alessandro Savioli
E-mail: [email-masked]

ART & MAGIC
Voie de Liege, 2
4053  EMBOURG
BELGIUM

Tel +32.41.677.677
Fax +32.41.669.913

Tecnical contact: Christian Duttileux
E-mail: [email-masked]

UDAC
Polacksbacken, Hus 3
UPPSALA
SWEDEN

Tel +46.18.187.700
Fax +46.18.516.600

Technical contact: Jerry Petterson
E-mail: [email-masked]

COMPUTER GRAPHICS CENTER (ZGDV)
Wilhelminenstrasse, 7
64283  DAIMSTADT
GERMANY

Tel +49.6151.155.232
Fax +49.6151.155.480
Technical contact: Heike Kuhner
E-mail: [email-masked]

UPPSALA PROSTHODONTIC CLINIC
Slottgrand, 2C
S-751 25  UPPSALA
SWEDEN

Tel +46.18.176.380
Fax +46.18.692.947

Technical contact: Stefan Seipel
E-mail: [email-masked]

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