the use of haptics in virtual reality

Sight is probably the single most important sense through which human beings learn about their environment. However, interaction is bidirectional. Not only do humans receive information from their environment, but human beings also modify their setting. This is the case in virtual worlds in addition to the real world. Vision might be paramount in interaction from computers to human beings, but movement and touch (called "haptics") currently dominate communication from humans to computers. Human-to-computer interaction built on hand and body movement is much farther developed than human to computer communication based on eye movement. See interesting subjects at 360 Vision for more regarding virtual reality.

Three-dimensional imaging of objects can be reached via the representation of their surface areas. Surface texture, shading, and reflected lighting influence perception of 3D perception. Two-dimensional texture shadings are applied to surfaces in a process called "texture mapping." These surfaces may then be shaded and enhanced with light reflection to improve depth perception. We all are accustomed to things illuminated by one light source above, so shading and light reflection based on an overhead light source gives strong cues for depth perception. Among the more ambitious methods of lighting virtual components involves tracing the rays of individual light rays as they are reflected and refracted from the components. This is known as "ray tracing." Technical discussion of similar topics at Virtual Tours Eau Claire, Wisconsin .

There is additional discussion at Virtual Reality Gaming of interesting subjects.