VRML and the X-Box

As a project for my Virtual Environments subject this semester, I'm hoping to represent a content management system in a 3D environment, ideally controlled using an intuitive interface.

Few interfaces are more natural/ubiquitous for navigating a 3D environment than a controller from one of the current-generation consoles. In this post, I'll be describing how I went about controlling VRML worlds with an X-Box controller on a Windows XP machine.

The Hardware

• X-Box controller (third-party or genuine). I prefer a genuine 'S' controller, for smaller hands. $25 from Cash Converters
• X-Box:USB converter cable. $15 + P&H from eBay
• A PC running Windows 98/ME/2K/XP

The Software

• Parallel Graphic's Cortona VRML Client
• RedCl0ud's XBCD driver
• RedCl0ud's ControlMK software
• A decent web browser
• VRML ControlMK Profile

The Method

• Install XBCD drive
• Restart machine
• Connect XBox controller to USB adapter
• Run XBCD Setup to calibrate / configure controller buttons
• Install ControlMK software
• Select controller 1 (if there are no other controllers connected to the PC)
• Import VRML ControlMK Profile
• Install Cortona VRML plugin
• Navigate to a VRML model page in your browser (here's an example)

Tips

• The VRML ControlMK profile emulates a typical dual-analogue controller setup. Left analogue stick controls forward/back/strafe movement. Right analogue controller controls camera orientation.
• Digital pad controls camera height/tilt in fly/study mode
• White/Black buttons cycle through VRML model's various views

Limitations

• Several Cortona functions do not have keyboard mappings as of the current release, these include: Fit, Reset, Align, Restore