Object-Oriented Modeling of Interactive Virtual Creatures
(H. Sun)

Virtual creatures are graphics objects of "artificial life". The construction of virtual creatures requires studying the behavior of biological creatures and modeling it into autonomous agents in a computer-synthesized world. Active research has made encouraging progress in the modeling and simulation of virtual creatures, but only a few consider humans as part of their essential lives. This project utilizes object-oriented technology not merely a tool of developing expandable simulation systems, but also an efficient way of building interactive, autonomous entities. It is motivated to the modeling of virtual creatures in a human-inhabited environment. The incorporation of multimedia render, 3D sound, and direct-manipulating interface will be investigated in developing the virtual aquatic ecosystem.