The VSim Prototype

The VSim prototype was released in 2013 and three versions of the software are currently available. The most recent is VSim 1.2.1 for Windows. This version can also be used on a dual-boot Mac or through Windows emulating software (e.g., Parallels).  There are two versions of the original prototype, one for Windows and one for Macs. Use these versions of the software if you want to create content that can be used interchangeably on Windows and Macs. Directions for installing on Windows systems, a sample model of the Pantheon, sample narratives, and user guides are provided below.The VSim team is actively seeking feedback on the software prototype. For details about participating in this research, please read the VSim_StudyInformationSheet. If you choose to provide comments about the software, please use the VSim_FeedbackForm or e-mail your thoughts to Lisa M. Snyder.

• The most recent (v 1.2.1) Windows-compatible release of VSim (20MB). (Please note that content created with this version will not work with the Mac-compatible prototype release; opens .dae, .flt. and .vsim model files)
• Windows-compatible release of the original VSim prototype (v 1) with a few post-grant additions (20MB). (Opens .dae, .flt, and .vsim model files)
• Mac-compatible release of the original VSim prototype (15MB). (Only opens .vsim model files)

The Digital Karnak Publication Prototype

IMPORTANT NOTICE: The posted version of the Digital Karnak Publication Prototype has expired! We are working on a new version of the file and will post it as soon as possible. Please check back to download the new version. If you need a new file immediately for a scheduled lecture or presentation, please e-mail Lisa M. Snyder. 

VSim was designed so that it could be used as a platform to peer review, publish, and broadly disseminate academically generated 3D content. A prototype publication focused on the interactive Digital Karnak model has been developed and is available below. This package features the real-time Digital Karnak model and contains a series of narratives that describe the physical changes at Karnak across the reigns of eight rulers as well as a suite of embedded resources that provide supplementary information for users about the reconstruction and the history of the complex. The zip file includes VSim 1.2.1 for Windows, a cheat sheet, and a users’ guide.  This file will also work on Mac with Windows-emulating software (e.g., Parallels). It expires on August 31, 2016.

• Digital Karnak zip file (321MB)

Video presentation: Digital Karnak (a presentation by Elaine A. Sullivan and Lisa M. Snyder captured through WebEx; the initial ~42 minutes is a basic presentation, followed by ~30 minutes of discussion)

If you’ve downloaded the publication prototype and are willing to share your thoughts, we’d love to hear from you. The Karnak and VSim teams are actively seeking feedback on either the Digital Karnak package or the VSim prototype. For details about participating in this research, please read the VSim_StudyInformationSheet. If you choose to provide comments about the software and/or the model, please use the VSim_FeedbackForm (also included in the Digital Karnak Package download) or e-mail your thoughts to Lisa M. Snyder.

Sample files (models and narratives)

• Sample model of the Pantheon (a .vsim file) created at UCLA (64MB).
• A narrative for Windows that works with the Pantheon model and explains the basic features of VSim (2.4MB)
• A narrative for Windows that works with the Pantheon model that explains VSim navigation (13.5MB)
• A narrative for Windows that works with the Pantheon model that describes how to create ‘camera moves’ (1.5MG)

User guides, tutorials, and presentations

• Users’ guide (last updated June 13, 2013).
• Short graphic guide (last updated July 9, 2013).
• Digital Dialogues presentation featuring VSim (MITH: Maryland Institute for Technology in the Humanities, University of Maryland)
• VSim Tutorial on YouTube captured at the Humanities Heritage NEH Summer Institute (NEH Advanced Topics in the Digital Humanites Summer Institute, The Center for Digital Initiatives, Arkansas State University)
• Humanities Heritage 3D Visualization presentation featuring VSim (NEH Advanced Topics in the Digital Humanites Summer Institute, The Center for Digital Initiatives, Arkansas State University)

Directions for installing the VSim prototype on Windows systems

1. Create a VSim folder on your hard drive
2. Right click on the links and ‘save link as …’ the software, sample model, and other files as desired
3. Unzip the VSim .zip file (typically a right click, choose WinZip from the menu, and ‘extract to here’)
4. Navigate into the release folder and double click the VSim.exe file to launch the software
5. If you downloaded the sample files, click File -> Open Model and browse for the Pantheon_v082.vsim file
6. Click on File > Import Narrative and browse for the Pantheon_VSimBasics_March25.nar file
7. Click on the VSim Basics narrative in the bar across the top of the VSim window and press ‘>’
8. When you’re done with that, select and play “The Pantheon” narrative
9. Once that tour has completed (at the view of the occulus), press the spacebar to explore the model in WASD mode
10. Read the user guide for help loading models and creating narratives of your own! (VSim loads 3D content in .flt, .dae, .vsim, and .ive formats.)

Remember that this software is a prototype. It is a proof-of-concept to allow us to assess the educational possibilities of three-dimensional content and the functionality built into VSim. Please report any reproducible problems to Lisa M. Snyder.