This sweeping introduction to the science of virtual environment technology masterfully integrates research and practical applications culled from such disciplines as psychology, engineering, and computer science. With contributions from the field's foremost researchers and theorists, the book focuses on ways in which virtual technology and interface design can better accommodate human cognitive, motor, and perceptual capabilities, bringing the reader up-to-date with the latest design strategies and cutting-edge virtual environments, and pointing to promising avenues for future development. The first section introduces the reader to the subject by defining basic terms, identifying key components of the virtual environment, and reviewing their origins and elements. The second part focuses on current technologies used to present visual, auditory, tactile, and kinesthetic information. The book concludes with an in-depth analysis of how environments and human perception are integrated to create effective virtual systems. Comprehensive and splendidly written, this will be the seminal text on the subject for years to come.