About the Portal

 

Portal Environment & Capabilities

The Visualization Portal and facilities like it are commonly referred to as virtual reality rooms or immersive environments. The term 'virtual reality' was coined in 1989 by Jaron Lanier (founder of VPL Research) and referred to the ability to immerse a person in an artificial, computer-generated, three-dimensional world. A variety of methods of achieving immersion have been developed, each with inherent strengths and weaknesses. Head-mounted displays, for example, offer total immersion, but are limited to a single user. The semi-spherical screen used in the Portal offers a good balance between total immersion (it provides a moderate amount) and visibility for a larger audience (up to 45 people).

Along with the large screen, the Portal offers high-performance computing for running and displaying large datasets. These two elements - advanced display and computing technologies - are critical for showcasing the diverse set of models and applications that represent ongoing research at UCLA.

Since the facilities construction, the computing infrastructure has already undergone several major upgrades. The most significant was a shift from an expensive dedicated visualization platform to an inexpensive cluster of commodity PCs. In addition, the original projectors were replaced with new three-chip DLP projectors with an advanced AMX control system. The resulting images are clearer, brighter, have better color fidelity and are easier to display than ever before.

Integrated Virtual Reality Display

The key element of the Visualization Portal is an immersive virtual reality display. The system uses three ceiling-mounted projectors to create images on a 160 x 40-degree spherical screen (24 feet in diameter, 8 1/2 feet high). This allows up to three simultaneous images (up to 1280 x 1024 pixels each) to be displayed (for example, one video-taped image, a PowerPoint presentation, and a computer simulation). Alternatively, a single image can be created across the entire screen by overlapping three images and blending the edges together, resulting in a 3520 x 1024 pixel seamless display. Additionally, an interactive windowing system allows overlay of additional sources on top of each of the three screen immersive displays. The flexibility and usefulness are unparalleled for presentations and collaborative work.

Stereo 3-D Visualization

The Portal supports the display of 3D objects and virtual environments using active stereo equipment. This type of technology has been used successfully for many years in diverse fields and has proved invaluable for UCLA researchers in Astronomy, Chemistry, Plasma Physics, and other disciplines.

System Control

The whole system is operated via an advanced wireless AMX system that serves as a simplified remote control with a customized user interface. Most equipment in the portal can be controlled at the touch of a button, including projectors, keyboard/video/mouse switching, interactive window displays, lighting, a DVD player, a VCR, and other ancillary equipment.

Computing

The Portal features a custom-built cluster of Linux-based commodity computers. The system uses off-the-shelf PCs and graphics cards to create an extremely robust and scalable solution, which exceeds proprietary and dedicated visualization systems at a fraction of the cost. The cluster, developed by Scott Friedman, uses free open source software that has been customized by our staff computer scientists. Applications such as VrNav, uSim, and the Sound Engine were all developed to enhance the visualization experience.

The Portal is also outfitted with standard Microsoftİ Windows and Appleİ OS X-based machines for web browsing, PowerPoint slide shows, and other tasks. A dedicated modeling lab workstation with connections to the network file systems and associated software is also available for use.

Connectivity

All of the Portal's networking equipment is managed with a Cisco gigabit switch and router. Access from the Portal to remote sites is achieved via the ATS gigabit connection to the campus backbone network and to the CalREN and Abilene 10-gigabit networks for off-campus connections.

Portal Layout

The Portal space is designed with maximum flexibility to support a wide variety of uses. Seating can be arranged for an intimate experience of up to 24 guests, or expanded to accommodate 45 guests for a lecture or presentation. A conference table can be placed up front for collaborative work sessions or in the rear for discussions after a presentation. The space can also accommodate a small theater presentation in which the immersive zone becomes an open stage.

Lighting and Sound

Quality lighting and sound were critical elements in the design of the Portal. Color and lighting are used to minimize reflection on the screen. Acoustical treatment of the walls and ceiling help attenuate the sound reflected from the hard spherical surface. Voice amplification is separate from the 5/1 surround sound. Assistive listening is provided for people with disabilities.

Visit the Portal

The Visualization Portal is an entryway into much of the research and instruction being done at UCLA. It is both a research tool, in which people can develop their work, and a presentation facility which can be used to most dramatically present that work. In the Portal, audiences can hear, see and otherwise experience information through a theater that was designed to highlight and enhance the presentation of information.

The Visualization Portal supports a range of applications and disciplines. Researchers have made these available for demonstration of the Portal's capabilities. Thursday sessions are informal, and depending on the audience size we can customize the presentation to your interests. Reservations required, see our events page to RSVP to an upcoming Informal demo.

Outside Groups: The purpose of the Visualization Portal is to support UCLA Research and Education. We receive numerous requests for visits from K-12 classes and other visitors, unfortunately we do not have the resources to support all of these requests. Thanks to generous support from the Steinmetz Foundation, the Experiential Technologies Center (ETC) is able to host a limited number of educational outreach events per quarter. ATS will also support requests initiated by UCLA faculty members who are working directly with K-12 teachers supporting their curriculum. Thank you for your interest. If you are interested in bringing a class or group to the portal, you may send a request to events@ats.ucla.edu; we will add your name to our waiting list.

Directions to the Portal

NOTE: Photos are routinely taken in the Portal. If you do not want to be part of these photos, please notify the photographer or the person doing the Portal demonstration.