VR Showcase

Conference:5 - 8 December 2016

Exhibition:6 - 8 December 2016

The Venetian Macao, Macao

SUBMISSION DEADLINE:
30 JUNE 2016, 23:59 UTC/GMT
30 JULY 2016, 23:59 UTC/GMT

The potential for immersive and interactive experiences has long been part of the narrative driving the development of computer graphics and interactive technologies. With the advent of virtual reality (VR) as an accessible medium, we are able to realize the potential of user-driven immersive experiences as well as redefine the boundaries of what we convey and create within the digital space.

SIGGRAPH Asia 2016 is proud to host its first VR Showcase. This new program aims to provide a highly visible and energetic venue to explore emerging trends and applications in virtual reality. The VR Showcase offers exciting opportunities for attendees to delve deep into digital worlds, try state-of-the-art technologies, and experience new approaches for creative expression and collaboration within immersive environments.

Submissions are now open. If your work includes physically enabled interactivity and immersive media with VR in mind, we highly encourage that you submit to the VR Showcase. If your submission is more suitable for another SIGGRAPH Asia 2016 program, we will refer it to the appropriate program at the conference.

If you have any questions about whether you might be a potential VR Showcase presenter, please send them to vr_asia@siggraph.org.

 

VR Showcase Chair

Eric Liu
HK Institute of Vocational Education
Hong Kong

VR Showcase Co-Chair

Juan Miguel de Joya
Pixar Animation Studios
USA

 

Sponsored By:

 

How To Submit

 

Before Submitting

Before you prepare a proposal, please carefully review these topics of interest for SIGGRAPH Asia 2016’s VR Showcase:

  • Virtual reality experiences in art, science, medical, research, 360° film, and gaming areas.
  • Artistic and technology performances and demonstrations with applications in design, health/medicine, engineering, science, and training/education among others.
  • Research projects that allow attendees to participate.
  • Content-driven and interactive projects that:
    • Demonstrate a unique type of interactive experience that was not possible 18 months ago.
    • Influence our day-to-day lives as practical applications or creative tools, or improve our relationship with each other and the world around us.

 

Submission Content Type

The VR Showcase is interested in submissions that can be an interactive one-on-one experience, a group experience, or a presentation that features a few participants with multiple onlookers, and can be explored interactively at a personal computer or mobile device with a head-mounted display (HMD) with minimal setup.

 

Submissions

Log in to the SIGGRAPH Information System, select “Begin New Submission”, and then select the “Create” button in the General Submission form. You will be asked for:

  • The submitter’s name.
  • Contact information, affiliation, and title of work.
  • Name of all authors, including co-creators.
  • List of credits.
  • Hardware and software required to run your project if it is selected. You will be required to bring your own equipment to demonstrate your applications, but a limited supply of equipment by the conference may be available.
  • A list of licensed components and/or middleware.
  • Size and space requirements.
  • Lighting needs. It is important and help us understand any light-sensitive aspects should these be relevant to your submission.
  • Electrical requirements. Please include how many outlets and any specifications.
  • Networking needs. Please include how many Ethernet or WIFI connections are required.
  • How long will the activity take an attendee to complete (approximately)
  • How many attendees can participate simultaneously (approximately)

 

Submission Materials

It is important to help us understand how the project will engage attendees during SIGGRAPH Asia 2016. Please include the following information:

  • An abstract (two pages maximum) in PDF format. Include how the submission fits with the VR Showcase vision.
  • At least one "representative image" suitable for us in the conference website and promotional materials. See Representative Image Guidelines.
  • A two-minute segment of captured video from your project. This video can include multiple non-continuous edits (like a trailer), but do not use any post-production tools to enhance the images or speed. Files must be QuickTime, MP4, Windows Media, or AVI files no larger than 250 MB. All videos must be uploaded to the SIGGRAPH online submission system. No discs or drives ill be accepted.
  • Floor plan and logistics information. Please include diagrams and information to describe the space requirements (labelled appropriately). We will evaluate each submission with consideration towards what resources and available space the program can provide and the ease of setup required for the demonstration; as such, we will need to understand if your project requires any special equipment or staging outside of tables and chairs. Include the number of chairs required for presenters as well as the total number of attendees who can occupy a 6-foot (1.8 m) or 8-foot (2.4 m) table. For further questions regarding staging and logistic needs, please connect with us at vr_asia@siggraph.org.

Non-native English speakers may use the English Review Service to help improve the text of submissions. Please note that the process takes time, so plan accordingly.

For more information about uploading files for your submission, please see Uploading Files.

For additional submission information, please see Submissions FAQ.

Evaluation

Submissions will be evaluated on the following criteria:

  • Interactivity. How interactive is the project? Does it require attendee participation and interaction?
  • Immersion. Is the submission able to engage and immerse an attendee in an experience? Does the installation, demonstration, or performance inspire awe?
  • Innovative. Does the experience utilize new technologies, processes, and research from the past 18 months? Does it push the boundaries of creativity?
  • Collaborative. Will multiple people be able to participate at the same time? Does the installation, demonstration, or performance invite audience participation?

A jury will select the top-rated submissions for presentation at SIGGRAPH Asia 2016, and all submitters will be notified of their submission status: accepted, conditionally accepted, or rejected. In all cases, the jury will provide detailed feedback to submitters.

In very rare cases, submissions may be conditionally accepted. If your work is conditionally accepted, you must demonstrate your submission to a jury member in person so that it can be measured against the criteria above. Jurors who have a conflict of interest with your submission will not be permitted to review your submission.

Notice To Contributors

All contributors to SIGGRAPH Asia Annual Conferences are now required to use ACM's rights management system to grant rights to publish accepted content rather than through the online submission system. Essentially, submission tracking, jury review, and acceptance remain the same, but now the rights management is through ACM, the parent organization of SIGGRAPH Asia.

You will be asked to complete an ACM rights management form, which includes permission to record and distribute the audio and video of your recorded presentation through official channels of ACM/SIGGRAPH Asia. For most content types, this will be a Permission and Release form, which allows authors to retain copyright.

More Information on these options (the FAQ is particularly useful)
Samples of the ACM Copyright Form and the ACM Publishing License

As a contributor to an ACM-sponsored event, the following expectations apply to you, should your content be accepted for presentation:

  • You have the permission to use everything that is in your presentation. This includes securing permission to use third-party material, and providing documentation of that permission to ACM. (More information on the proper use of third-party material in your presentation)
  • If you are using copyrighted musical compositions in your presentation, you must secure performing rights licenses.
  • You must have the authority to grant ACM the right to distribute your presentation.

Once your contribution is accepted, you will receive a link via email to the appropriate form for your contribution.

 

ACM Rights Management Form

If your work is accepted for presentation at SIGGRAPH Asia 2016:

  • You must complete the ACM Rights Management Form. The form will be sent to all submitters whose work is accepted.
  • Your representative image and text may be used for promotional purposes. Several SIGGRAPH Asia 2016 programs will prepare preview videos for pre-conference promotion of accepted content, which may include a portion of the video you submitted to review.

Upon Acceptance

At the Conference

The main form of presentation in the VR Showcase is a live demonstration, which will be available throughout the conference. You are responsible for ensuring that your demonstration is manned during all opening hours of the VR Showcase area.

 

Logistics

We will work closely with you to insure proper and effective installation of your work. In general, accepted researchers are responsible for bringing or shipping their work to SIGGRAPH Asia 2016 in Macao, China. Contributors are also responsible for return shipping after the conference.

You are expected to bring sufficient personnel to staff the demo throughout the conference. SIGGRAPH Asia 2016 may be able to provide some student volunteer support.

If your work arrives at the conference center, and it is not as depicted in your submission or is not ready for demonstration, we reserve the right to exclude it from the VR Showcase program.

 

Presenter and Contributor Recognition

Presenters / Contributors of each accepted submission have to register for at least one conference pass. Please visit our registration page to view the various registration categories for each program. Please see the Recognition Policy for a summary of what you will receive if your work and/or proposal are accepted by SIGGRAPH Asia 2016.

Presenters are expected to cover their own travel costs, which are not covered by SIGGRAPH Asia 2016.

You can apply for a 100% discount via the submission system, one presenter per accepted submission. If additional contributors need to access the VR Showcase venue for presentation and set up purposes, they can request for up to one additional Discount Code via the following email; vr_asia@siggraph.org.

Once your contribution is accepted, you will receive a link via email to the appropriate form for your contribution. You will be required to prepare the final print-ready file following the specifications in the acceptance notification.

 

Other Details

You will be able to update your basic submission information so that it can be included in the conference program and website. This information needs to be finalized two weeks after acceptance.

If your work is accepted, you will be required to prepare the final print-ready file following the specifications in the acceptance notification.

Please note: The schedule to provide your final material after receiving the acceptance notification is very tight. Please plan your personal schedule accordingly.

For instructions about preparation and delivery of your final content for publications, please carefully follow the instructions in the acceptance letter.

You will be able to update your basic submission information and any final materials so that it can be included in the conference program and web site. This information needs to be finalized two weeks after receipt of acceptance notifications. Please be prepared to deliver your final versions of your information and work on or before these dates.

FAQs

Will SIGGRAPH Asia 2016 pay for shipping my work?

No. If your work is accepted, you are responsible for crating, shipping, and insurance.

 

Should I send video documentation of my piece?

Yes, if at all possible. Video documentation is highly recommended. Time-based documentation is the best way to illustrate how conference attendees will actually experience your project. We may also use the video in publicity for the VR Showcase Program.

 

May I submit my unfinished work as a "work in progress" if it is not complete by the submission deadline?

A work in progress may be submitted if it represents a large portion of the final version. However just a video prototype is not enough but a functional prototype should be needed before the deadline. Please explain in detail what additions will be made prior to the installation on the extended abstract. You will need to convince the reviewers that your work will be ready for demonstration in time for the conference.

 

I am having trouble uploading the high-resolution digital image required for online submission. What should I do?

If, due to bandwidth restrictions, you cannot upload a high-resolution image or supplemental movies, please instead upload a lower-resolution version. If we need to include a higher-resolution version for reviewers review or publication stills, we will contact you to make arrangements.

 

My email address will be changing soon. How can I notify you of the update?

You will be able to change your email address in the online submission system.

 

I have completed the online submission forms, but the system still allows me to edit my account. Am I done?

Yes. But you are allowed to edit your online submission account until the deadline: 30 July 2016, 23:59 UTC/GMT.

 

Can I submit a paper, brief, poster, or other work in addition to my VR Showcase proposal? Can I submit an VR Showcase proposal if the work has already been presented at a previous SIGGRAPH conference?

Yes. For instance, you could submit a demonstration based on a paper published at a previous SIGGRAPH conference. Be sure to list these related submissions in your proposal and make clear how your VR Showcase proposal expands on and is different from these.

 

If I do not need to ship my equipment, and I can carry it in with me, do I need to provide shipping documents?

If you want to carry your equipment into the convention centre, please contact the VR Showcase Chair/Co-Chair for detailed information on how to make appropriate arrangements.

 

Back to FAQs links

 

Timeline

All deadlines are 23:59 UTC/GMT.

30 July 2016
Submission Deadline

August 2016
Jury Review

6 September 2016
Acceptance Notification

19 September 2016
Final Materials Due

5 - 8 December 2016
SIGGRAPH Asia 2016

 

*Publications content will be available in the ACM Digital Library one week prior to the conference.

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