Integrating particle dispersion models into real-time virtual environments

We present a system for interacting with fast response particle dispersion models in a real-time virtual environment. The particle simulation system is used as both an engineering tool for modeling and understanding turbulence in flow fields and as an integral part of an atmospheric, wind display for real-time virtual environments. The focus of this paper is on the use of virtual environment visualization and interaction as a means for providing deeper insight about the underlying turbulence and flow field models in the dispersion simulations. The use of immersive virtual environment displays, as opposed to standard computer display screens, allows engineers to acquire novel view points and interact with the data in novel ways. We present our current visualization and interaction methods. Our goal is to develop a tool for interacting with, controlling, and manipulating the model parameters of fast response particle dispersion systems while immersed within the simulation environment.