Re: Driving Simulator and Road Signs

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Daniel Stipe (danstipe++at++cts.com)
Thu, 19 Dec 1996 08:55:53 -0800

Using a slide projector reminds me of the Target Projectors that the
military often use to enhance the brightness, contrast, and detail of small
objects against a lower resolution background. There are a few issues to
consider. First, a slide or target projector has a higher resolution
focussed over a smaller area than the number of pixels that cover the sign
in an ordinary scene.
Second, the brightness and contrast of a slide projector is most often a
lot higher than video projectors. If this is indeed the case, then your
best bet might be to investigate using an O2 as a replacement for the slide
projector. You may need to replace the slide projector with a video
projector of some type in order to keep brightness up.

Sounds like a fascinating project. How many channels? How many
simultaneous signs? What fields of view? More details on the system being
upgraded would help.

>Why not use faces that emitt light (in multigen lingo: give the face(s) a
>unique material code with "emissive" properties) on the road signs to emulate
>the reflectivity of the signs. This should have both effects: making the signs
>stand out more, thereby maximizing legibility and faking the reflectivity.
>
>Some thoughts,
>
>Grambo
>
>
>
>
>On Dec 18, 1:38pm, Dale Olson wrote:
>> Subject: Driving Simulator
>> I am working on an opportunity to upgrade a driving simulator and the
>customer
>> is particularly interested in rendering fidelity of the roadway signs. Does
>> anyone know any tips/tricks for maximizing legibility at a distance and/or
>> modeling the reflective properties of the sign lettering?
>>
>> The customer is currently using an old Star Technologies image generator with
>> separate high intensity slide projectors with gymballed mirrors to project
>the
>> signs.
>>
>> If we can get textured polygons to look as good as the projected images, the
>> Onyx2 sale is a done deal!
>>
>> --
>>
>> ......................................................................
>> : Dale Olson | <dolson++at++sgi.com> :
>> : Systems Engineer | :
>> : 12200-G Plum Orchard Dr. | "I'll MAKE the damn thing work... :
>> : Silver Spring, MD | :
>> : 20904 | (301) 572-3265 VM 6-238-3265 :
>> ......................................................................
>>
>> =======================================================================
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>>-- End of excerpt from Dale Olson
>
>
>
>--
>
>----------------------------------------------------------------------
>Graham (Grambo) Beasley Silicon Graphics, Inc.
>MTS (Simulator Guy) (415) 933-5420 graham++at++sgi.com
>----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>"Being fair is not always convenient!"
> Javier's Father
>
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----------------------------------------------------------
Dan Stipe (619) 578-8914 ph/fax
President e:mail danstipe++at++cts.com
VERTx Inc. PO Box 910135, San Diego, CA 92191
----------------------------------------------------------

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