Notes for the CAVE^TM Checkout Class

purpose:

Upon completion of this course you will be able to use the CAVE without supervision.

getting started:

When using the CAVE outside of normal business hours, please fill out the checklist to verify that everything is in working order before beginning your session. They are in a notebook on the desk. Just fill one out and leave it in the notebook. If you need more copies of the form, they can be found at CAVE/cavechecklist.html

operational:

Be very careful to not make contact with the CAVE walls. Stay towards the center of the CAVE at all times. The walls are made out of thin plastic, and will stretch and tear without too much help. They are expensive to replace.

If you need to log out, and you can't access the console, or you need to restart the login program altogether, use the Vulcan Death Grip, which consists of simultaneously pressing the four keys LeftShift, LeftControl, F12 and the / key that's on the keypad.

Start all four projectors by pointing the wand at each projection surface and pressing and holding the Standby key. The projectors take a couple of seconds to respond to your button press, so press and hold the Standby key until you see the screens change state. Never turn off the projectors! Also, never attempt to adjust the projectors, screens or mirrors- just let the CAVE staff know what the problem is by way of the checklist.

If you get error messages when running a CAVE application, the program crashes, or screens are displayed in the the wrong orientation, first verify that you get the same messages when running one of the standard demos, such as crayoland. If you still get error messages:

using the CAVE->Tools->Manage DTK Server and Services menu, verify that the is900 service is loaded
using the CAVE->Tools->Kill/Free Processes menu, try selecting Free All Processors and Kill CAVE programs

If you're having problems with VSS, the sound server, try choosing Kill VSS from the CAVE->Tools->VSSmenu. Crayoland, one of the buttonfly demos, uses VSS, so run it to determine whether the problem is specific to your program or a system-wide problem.

The shutter glasses are switched on and off by opening and closing the headpieces. It is easiest to tell if the glasses are active by looking at a stereo image in the CAVE. Please turn off all glasses when not in use.

demos:

Various demo programs can be be accessed using the CAVE toolchest menu. They are launched using the buttonfly program. Selecting a green button takes you to a sub-menu. Pressing a brown button runs a program. Clicking in the background goes up one level in the menus. Pressing ESC exits the buttonfly program.

Pressing the button in the pop-up window labelled Exit terminates the program.

We are always looking for new demos- if you have one you'd like to share, please let us know!

reservations:

The CAVE is reserved using the net, on a first-come, first-served basis. You reserve time slots using an online web form- folow the "schedule and reservations" link off of the main CAVE web page. Also, please see the "usage rates" page for details about whether you need to pay for your CAVE visits.

checking out:

If working after hours, fill out and sign and the checklist in the notebook near the door.

CAVE/cavecheckout.html, 4/8/01

Notes for the CAVETM Checkout Class

Notes for the CAVE^TM Checkout Class