Modes of Virtual Environments Integrated within Collaborative Environments

Abstract

This paper describes the timeline of large display virtual environments used by Manchester Visualization Centre and a few of the main applications of such systems. Moreover, it describes a few simple common modes of use as well as stages of development, categorising and explaining how best practice may be achieved. In addition this paper considers the development and use in the last few years of multi-functioning spaces that combine both a large scale VE with the next generation of video conferencing system. These have been used to create new modes of interaction and collaboration.