Abstract:
Location-based services, navigation and way finding in three-dimensional worlds are some challenges of current information systems. AIT Campus Navigator (AITCN), developing with Maya and Virtools, is a web-based three-dimensional map focusing on campus introduction and navigation: Buildings are essential objects in AITCN, which serve as platforms for integrated, campus geo information; an assumed character, traveling in AITCN according to user instructions, provides a more intuitive accessing pattern. Users manipulate AITCN via an interactive interface in two modes: "TAKE A TOUR" mode offers a chance for foreigners to roam in the campus consistent with the routine selections, while in "TELL ME THE WAY" mode users are able to make a location-based query and be routed to the selected place. AITCN is highly modularized in which four modules process different tasks and work independently. Spatial Environment Module and Animation Module can be abstracted and applied to other related systems. The goal of AITCN is to create a virtual representation of the campus that enables a new comer to explore and interact with the natural and spatial information.
