Abstract
Seed analysts need to identify seeds, and seed catalogs are used as a reference to accomplish this task. Conventional seed catalogs supply two-dimensional photographs and hand-drawn diagrams. In this study, a new, three-dimensional representation of seeds is developed to supplement these traditional photographs and drawings. QuickTime VR is a promising method for viewing three-dimensional objects on a computer screen. It permits manipulation of an object by rotating and viewing it from any pre-specified angle at an interactive speed, allowing the viewer the sense of examining a hand-held object. In this study, QuickTime VR object movies of seeds were created as interactive "movies" of seeds that can be rotated and scaled to give the viewer the sensation of examining actual seeds. This approach allows the examination of virtual seeds from any angle, permitting more accurate identification of seeds by seed analysts.
Highlights
Seed analysts use seed catalogs to study features of various seeds and to assist seed identification
Since virtual seeds cannot be viewed interactively on a sheet of paper, the reader is encouraged to view the seeds on a computer
The following web page contains the virtual seeds presented here as well as information on how to obtain VSF: http://www.cis.ohio-state.edu/~ysako/seed/ In order to view these movies, QuickTime software must be installed on the computer
Summary
Seed analysts use seed catalogs to study features of various seeds and to assist seed identification. Conventional seed catalogs contain two-dimensional photographs or drawings that capture seeds from a limited number of angles (Figure 1).This two-dimensional presentation of seeds has limitations since seeds are threedimensional objects. If seed catalogs contained threedimensional visual representation of seeds, more information could be gained by the viewer. A QuickTime VR movie is an interactive movie that allows the user to navigate photographic images threedimensionally by use of an input device such as a mouse. The viewer is virtually standing in a scene and looks around. The object movie format is suitable for virtual seeds because the user can virtually rotate and examine the seed from various angles as in real life. In the new generation of seed catalogs being developed, virtual seeds (QuickTime VR object movies of seeds) may supplement and eventually replace two-dimensional photographs and drawings
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