A REALIDADE VIRTUAL IMERSIVA COMO TECNOLOGIA DE SUPORTE À COMPREENSÃO DE MODELOS COMPUTACIONAIS

This paper presents the final results of a master's research, which sought to verify the capacity of an Immersive Virtual Reality system in providing users with a better understanding of the virtual model. The adopted method is defined as qualitative and exploratory. It compares the level of perception between two situations: using a conventional workstation and the Immersive Environment of the School of Architecture of UFMG (AIVITS). Data collection was based on the submission of Perception Verification Questionnaires. From the comparison between the responses it was possible to identify differences of perception between the virtual models, as well as their relations to the different participants’ profiles. The study concluded that the Immersive Environment promotes a better understanding of the virtual space compared to the perception obtained using the non-immersive system. The most benefited users from the use of this technology are the men aged over 26 years, with completed undergraduate or graduate degrees, architects or engineers, without color blindness. These findings indicate that the Immersive Environment can improve the design process, especially the activity of critical analysis, leading architects and engineers to the conception of better solutions.