The HCI Graduate Program is housed in the Virtual Reality Applications Center (VRAC) at Iowa State University. All HCI students are able to conduct research or complete course work in either of VRAC's two computer labs. The computers in these labs are loaded with the software needed for the core HCI courses as well as software needed for various research projects. VRAC is also home to the C4 and C6 immersive environments, as well as the Lee Liu Alliant Energy Auditorium, the Virtual Conference Room, and the Human and Computer Vision Laboratory.

	C6 Illuminated by 100 million pixels, VRAC’s C6 displays over 16.7 million pixels per wall (4096x4096). Forty-eight dual-cpu workstations send images to 24 Sony SRX-S105 digital cinema projectors, providing an intensely detailed, high-resolution, immersive experience for researchers and other participants. In addition, audio immersion is possible through the upgraded eight-channel surround sound audio system. The multi-million dollar upgrade, completed in 2007, was engineered and implemented by Mechdyne Corporation’s Fakespace and VRCO divisions. The C6 is a three-dimensional, fully-immersive synthetic environment residing in the center atrium of Iowa State University’s Howe Hall. This unique facility consists of a 10ft x 10ft x 10ft room where all four walls, the floor and the ceiling are projection screens capable of displaying back-projected stereoscopic images, providing total immersion for the participants. The C6 incorporates a three-dimensional eight-channel surround sound system. Originally opened in 2000, the C6 was the first six-sided synthetic immersive environment in the world, and the only known system of its kind to support wireless tracking. With the recent upgrade, the C6 is the highest resolution immersive environment of its kind in the world. [ more info ]
	C4 A three-dimensional, immersive, synthetic environment that supports multiple screen configurations. The C4 is comprised of four display surfaces which can be configured as an immersive "U-shaped" cave-like room where rear-projected stereoscopic images are displayed on three walls (front, right, left) and the floor. The system can also be configured as a 36' wide power wall by swinging the sidewalls in-line with the back wall. The C4 also includes a three-dimensional sound system and wireless tracking. [ more info ]
	Lee Liu Auditorium located in Howe Hall seats 244 and is equipped for real-time passive stereo-projection of two side-by-side simulated environments on a 29 foot wide screen. The C6, C4 and auditorium are linked by dedicated fiber enabling research in collaboration across geographically separated virtual reality systems
	Virtual Conference Room The Virtual Conference Room was created by the Thermal Systems Virtual Engineering Group under the direction of Professor Mark Bryden. The system was developed to provide a portable VR tool which allows multiple users to simultaneously interact with the virtual space and each other. With a table and seating for 10 - 12 people, the system facilitates the virtual engineering process by allowing for group interaction with geometric and fluid data sets. The room is the first of its kind on Iowa State's campus. One of VRAC's industry partners, the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory, recognized the benefits of a virtual conference room and is using the group's system design.
	Baby Cave A new accessible, portable virtual reality system demonstrates how VR can be brought into the mainstream of computing. The BabyCave system was designed and built by faculty, staff and students of VRAC. It is designed to provide the best quality image possible at the most accessible cost. The system uses standard personal computers, meeting-room video projectors and other off-the-shelf components. The BabyCave system consists of a number of self-contained display modules. These wedge-shaped aluminum structures hold an 8-foot-wide by 6-foot-tall, snap-on screen at the wide end and two computers and two projectors at the narrow end. The modules are on wheels to easily move and reconfigure the system. Using four modules, the system can be made into a room-like, immersive system with four walls or an ultrawide 32-foot-long display. The entire system can be set up in about two hours.
	Barco Baron stereo workbench A portable active stereo projection system with adjustable screen height and angle. The system is used with a 6-DOF tracking system and wireless wand.
Six degree of freedom motion base Generates up to 1G acceleration in six degrees-of-freedom with two feet of travel and is linked to the virtual environments via the Internet.

See more at VRAC facilities page.

HCI students with the following home departments may use the resources of these departments in addition to the resources of the Virtual Reality Applications Center for their research and study.

Aerospace Engineering
Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
Architecture
Art and Design
Botany
Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering
Computer Science
Curriculum and Instruction
Ecology, Evolution and Ogranismal Biology
Economics
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Geological and Atmospheric Sciences
Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication
Industrial Education and Technology
Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering
Logistics, Operations, and Management Information Systems
Mathematics
Mechanical Engineering
Music
Psychology
Statistics
Management
Genetics, Development and Cell Biology
English
Biomedical Sciences
Human Development and Family Studies