A Peer-to-Peer Architecture for Real-Time Distributed Visualization of 3D Collaborative Virtual Environments

Abstract

A 3D collaborative virtual environment (CVE) is a distributed simulation of a 3D virtual environment (VE) in which a large number of users located in different geographical places can interact with each other in real-time. In order to collaborate in a 3D CVE, it is necessary to send update messages corresponding to the change in the state of a shared object among involved users. In this paper, we present a new system for real-time distributed visualization of 3D CVEs. This distribution is carried out on a grid of heterogeneous computers implementing a communication based on a hybrid peer-to-peer (P2P) architecture. Our system ensures a coherent visualization in according to a consistent updating of 3D VE for all involved users. In this way, each user can visualize in real-time the changes done by other users.