Virtual Landscapes

Barry Spencer - Clive GouldBromley College

Clive Pro

OpenSim is free software, currently in alpha version 0.6.9.

•Installed on a blade server running Linux 32-bit and mono 2.4.2.3.

•Simulator console is run in a terminal window within a vnc session

• Students and staff at Bromley College can self register using a Web based form

• Used the Meerkat & Imprudence clients to access the server. OpenSim accessible from 3 computer rooms in the College and also from home. Graphics cards were the limiting factor.

• Initially had problems getting the required ports open at the institutional ISA firewall level.

• OpenSim configured for 4 regions combined into a megaregion, which effectively worked as a seamless 512x 512 region

• OpenSim used with final year FdEng students as part of an assessed activity on a

Database Development course. The task involved testing and customising an in-

world avatar scanner communicating with an external LAMP server.

OpenSimAvatar Scanner using LSL script

LAMP serverProcessing anddisplaying scan results

Register

Send scan results

Here they are

• This slide show the scanner object being reset in-world and the corresponding

scan results page as displayed on the external Web page.

Student end of assignment feedback on the scanner project:

• Using OpenSim was fun and excitingAgree 100%

• I would recommend that the instructor continue using OpenSimAgree 91 %

• Technical support was available when I needed it in OpenSimAgree 91%

• I was willing to put in the effort needed to complete the learning activities in OpenSim

Agree 91%

• I liked using OpenSim as part of my courseAgree 91%

• OpenSim was an enriching experienceAgree 91%

• Opensim was beneficial to my learningAgree 82%

• OpenSim allowed me to better understand conceptsAgree 82%

• I would take another course that used OpenSimAgree 82%

• The learning activity encouraged contact between myself and my classmates in OpenSim

Agree 72%

• My classmates and I cooperated in completing assignments in OpenSimAgree 72%

• Using OpenSim helped me think more deeply about the course materialAgree 72%

• I often used OpenSim at home for the projectAgree 63%

• I had little problem using OpenSimAgree 54%

Problems encountered:

• Stability issues when scripting (e.g. llPushObject function)• Physical Objects (Top colliders and top scripts)• Avatars and objects going off sim

Recommendations:

• Need someone on call to restart the simulator whenever it crashes, especially with scripting.

• Use standalone regions instead of a megaregion

Vega Starlight

Deploy with BTEC National Students

Three projects

Solar panelMaze gameIsland combat

Solar Panel ProjectDesign, code and construct a solar panel

Calculate watts for panel size, conversion efficiency, sun angle and cloud cover

Display result as in-world text

A virtual world environment allows students to evaluate the following

The real-time environmental

The environmental impact

Implications for planning permission

Designing in a 3D world: build a real world model for the Maze game project.Students planned a maze in real world metricscale and replicated this in the Open Sim

Maze and Island Projects

Designing in a 3D world: build a real world model for the Island game project. Students were able to get scale perspective for the future design of the vehicles

Maze Game Project

Gamers register in a blue or red team

Enter the maze and collect points fromdifferent orbs

Beware of trap doors and spikes

Score is maintained in-world on two towers

The game ran very well. The avatars had free movement, with orbs awarding scores on contact. The towers kept a record of points. The simulator did not crash.

Island Game Project

Gamers are in two teamsAliens that emerge from a mother ship

Ground forces are sea based

Bullet hit scoring, recorded in-world

The objective, to enter the volcano base

The game did not run very well. The Simulator required several restarts. Problems with llRezObject(), llPushObjects functions and vehicle / physics engine

Solar Cell Feedback

Island Game Project Feedback

Maze Game Project Feedback

Student Feedback mp3

Flash movie of the Maze game

Links to Student Feedback

Conclusion and Recommendations

For a single region

Avatar activities: Poses, Gestures, chatting, conferences, role play

Building, texturing

Scripting !

The End and Thank YouAny Questions