Análise de um ambiente de imersão como ferramenta de auxílio à percepção do espaço virtual

Abstract

This dissertation aims to verify the capacity of an Immersive Environment in delivering better perception of a virtual environment, knowing that this factor contributes to the development of better solutions throughout the design process. The used method is defined as qualitative and exploratory and compares the level of perception of the environment between two situations: using non-Immersive Virtual Reality (nIVR) and Immersive Virtual Reality (IVR). The technology used fornon-Immersive Virtual Reality consists of a conventional workstation. ForImmersive Virtual Reality it was used the Immersive Environment of the School of Architecture and Design at Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), named AIVITS. The procedure for data collection was based on the submission of Perception Verification Questionnaires. From the comparison between the responses to the questionnaires it was possible to identify differences of perception between the virtual models and their relations to the different participants profiles. The significant increase in the percentage of null Perception Maintenance Indices between the two technologies shows that the ImmersiveEnvironment promotes a better understanding of the virtual space compared to the perception obtained using the non-immersive system. The most benefited users from the use of this technology are the men aged over 26 years, with completed undergraduate or graduate degrees, architects or engineers, without color blindness. These findings indicate that the Immersive Environment can improve the design process, especially the activity of critical analysis, leading architects and engineers to the conception of better solutions.