A unified framework for visual interactive simulation

The author outlines general requirements of visual interactive simulation (VIS) systems, to allow the development of a unified framework for VIS. He aims to encourage and facilitate dialogue between the various simulation communities, by refining the definitions of VIS and its components, and presenting them in a way which is illuminating to the researcher, instructive to the developer, and comprehensible to the user. In the process, several myths about the capabilities and future potential of VIS are dispelled. He shows that the central components of VIS are application-independent, giving the discussion and resulting terminology relevance across the spectrum of simulation applications. An exploration of the overall goals and requirements of VIS is then undertaken, utilizing the new concepts and definitions. This exploration suggests alternatives for the design of more effective environments for VIS. These alternatives are evaluated, and useful avenues for future research into VIS are suggested