Multi-User Immersive Virtual Reality Prototype for Collaborative Visualization of Microscopy Image Data

Abstract

This paper examines the creation of the Multi-User Cell Arena (MUCA), a novel 3d data visualization work emphasizing virtual co-location via customizable VR avatars. The work explores the utility of building collaborative virtual-reality spaces using consumer VR hardware and the importance of virtual user embodiment. The workflow from raw microbiological scan data to VR representation is documented, noting the unique design challenges of multi-user spaces. Related works in the field are compared, and the limitations of the mesh-cache shell workflow are discussed along with possible future improvements to the multi-user avatar system.