The fundamental idea behind the three-dimensional immersive environment is to present the student with a perspective image, which changes as he navigates through his/her proposed design. In the CAVE the student feels the experience; not just sees it. The CAVE allows an instructor to walk through a design with his student and critique the design, discuss modifications, and leave behind markers with annotations to record specific suggestions for later design modification. A three dimensional model large enough to walk through could boost the students abilities to conceive three-dimensional spaces and could make it easier for the student to understand something of what the instructor sees in his imagination. The CAVE also allows experimenting with new instructional concepts that are not currently possible with either traditional or CAD-based computer graphics techniques.

The CAVE has many applications not only in the field of architecture, interior, landscape, and urban design but in many other fields as well. The applications are not limited to teaching and could also include research and consultancy.

For more information please visit: http://www.engg.uaeu.ac.ae/a.okeil/uaeu-cave.

Contributed by Ahmad Okeil