Abstract
This paper presents an attempt to develop a visual programming language-based 3D virtual reality authoring tool intended to compose virtual interior space. The rapid development of digital technology and the wide spread of the Intenet have expanded the different uses of virtual reality in a number of applications ranging from interior design to building maintenance. In particular, the construction of cyber spaces based on existing interior spaces is becoming increasingly important. Current research, however, remains at the level of converting 3D models into virtual reality models, despite practitioners' needs for structural space models. Moreover, commercial tools to build virtual reality space have the disadvantage of targeting people who have professional knowledge of computer programs and computer graphics. Accordingly, the 3D virtual reality authoring tool developed in this research - called the VESL system - enables virtual and structural space to be easily composed using intuitive and interactive visual interfaces, which are based on visual programming techniques. The VESL system also provides an XML based semantic description of interior space, to be used to describe interior space information. We anticipate that the virtual reality spaces composed by this system will be of considerable use in the fields of architecture and interior design. Further research issues identified at the end of the research include developing a converter/filter for transforming Internet virtual reality standard language, or VRML, and evaluating the application of the system for practical use.
