VR-CHEM Developing a virtual reality interface for molecular modelling

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School of Arts, Design and Architecture | Master's thesis
Location:
P1 OPINNÄYTTEET D 2017 Dhinakaran

Date

2017

Department

Major/Subject

Mcode

Degree programme

Language

en

Pages

42

Series

Abstract

VR-CHEM is a prototype for a virtual reality molecular modelling program with a modern 3D user interface. In this thesis, the author discusses the research behind the development of the prototype, provides a detailed description of the program and its features, and reports on the user tests. The research includes reviewing previous programs of a similar category that have appeared in studies in the literature. Some of these are related to chemistry and molecular modelling while others focus on 3D input techniques. Consequently, the prototype contributes by exploring the design of the user interface and how it can affect productivity in this category of programs. The prototype is subjected to a pilot user test to evaluate what further developments are required. Based on this, the thesis proposes that 3D interfaces, while capable of several unique tasks, are yet to overcome some significant drawbacks such as limitations in accuracy and precision. It also suggests that virtual reality can aid in spatial understanding but virtual hands and controllers are far inferior to real hands for even basic tasks due to a lack of tactile feedback.

Description

Supervisor

Hämäläinen, Perttu

Thesis advisor

Karttunen, Antti

Keywords

virtual reality, 3D user interface, molecular modelling, design

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