Setting up a collaboration session in arivis Pro VR

Collaboration sessions in arivis Pro VR work through a combination of tools and methods.

First, an image set is shared with all the users invited to a session and downloaded to each user's machine. When the session is started different users can be either presenters or attendees. Presenters are active handlers of the data and their actions are relayed by the collaboration server to all the other users so that when the presenter moves the dataset it then also moves in the virtual world of all the other participants. A participant can then request to become the presenter and if granted those privileges by the presenter or organizer, this user then becomes the presenter until he relinquishes the presenter role to another user. Users can join and leave a session at will.

To join a session log in to the Collaboration panel and double click on the session you want to join.

Some points of note:

• The dataset status will update with a progress bar while the dataset is being downloaded or simply say "available" when it is ready. You cannot join a session unless the dataset is listed as available. Make sure to log in to the session with plenty of time to download the dataset. Logging in to the collaboration panel the day before a session to download any available datasets is a good idea.
• While having a VR headset is not necessary to join a session, not having one will limit the type of interactions you can have with the data. If you join without a headset you will not be able to:
• Use clipping planes, pointers or other VR tools
• Make use of the advantages of VR visualization including stereoscopic depth rendering
• However, you will still be able to hear and talk to your collaborators if you join the teleconference.
• Also, the fast, dynamic, and responsive interactions that feel natural in VR can be somewhat disorientating if looked at through a standard computer display.

Once in the session, the navigation will be fairly intuitive if you are already experienced with navigation and interactions in arivis Pro VR. VR tools can be accessed by clicking on the left-hand joystick. Tool selection is then done using the right-hand controller and trigger. If you are not the presenter you can request to present by using the A button and a prompt will appear in the current presenter's display to allow or deny the transfer of presentation rights. As a presenter you can use the normal navigation tools to move, scale or rotate the volume, use the pointer or marker tools to highlight specific features, and use clipping planes to reveal image data below the surface of the volume. 

Since virtual avatars are also automatically displayed for all users who join with a headset, it is also possible for anyone to point at specific features in the virtual space and have collaborators see those interactions without the need for the presenter point and marker tools.

A chat option is also available in the Collaboration panel for users who prefer written communication or do not have the possibility of joining the teleconference.

To leave a session, remove the headset and click Leave Session in the Collaboration panel.