Real-time 3D Visualization with an Open Source 3D Graphics Engine for Maritime Safety Simulation

Abstract

A ship navigation simulator is a popular means of preventing marine accidents caused by human error. It can also be used to train navigators. A real-time 3D visualization system, a component of a ship navigation simulator, is an important component, as realistic and intuitive image generation plays an essential role in improving the effects of education using ship navigation simulators. This paper discusses research activities that assess the potential replacement of the current commercial 3D graphics engine with an open source 3D graphics engine. These activities aim at achieving independency and extensibility of the real-time 3D visualization system operated as part of the ship navigation simulator of the Maritime and Ocean Engineering Research Institute (MOERI). Of particular focus is an analysis of operational requirements of the real-time 3D visualization system and the feasibility of open source 3D graphics engines in terms of the requirements.