VhCVE: A Collaborative Virtual Environment Including Facial Animation and Computer Vision

In this paper we present a platform called VhCVE, in which relevant issues related to Collaborative Virtual Environments applications are integrated. The main goal is to provide a framework where participants can interact with others by voice and chat. Also, manipulation tools such as a mouse using Computer Vision and Physics are included, as well as rendering techniques (e.g. light sources, shadows and weather effects). In addition, avatar animation in terms of face and body motion are provided. Results indicate that our platform can be used as a interactive virtual world to help communication among people.