The hybrid desktop within engineering environments

Especially in the area of engineering applications different requirements are imposed to the usability and acceptance of new and innovative systems. A very pragmatic approach is the seamless integration into the existing environment. This paper presents a new hybrid 2D/3D system based on virtual reality that was developed in the multidisciplinary context of engineering applications. The 'Hybrid Desktop' has been realised to integrate CAD/CAE and VR review processes (which are traditionally separated disciplines) into one working environment. Beside traditional and new 6DOF devices, innovative interaction concepts have been developed in order to address the need for a seamless integration of commercial software and virtual reality systems. The Hybrid Desktop offers a new low cost based working place based on virtual reality within the engineering context. The paper highlights the realisation of a hybrid 2D/3D environment driven by engineering needs to combine multidisciplinary applications at one working place. It furthermore describes the software architecture necessary for the realisation of an integrated working space. Engineers within the automobile, aerospace and urban planning area, have proofen the usability of our approach for an effective engineering environment.