Patricia Plénacoste

Spin: A 3D interface for cooperative work

In this paper, we present a three-dimensional user interface for synchronous co-operative work, Spin, which has been designed for multi-user synchronous real-time applications to be used in, for example, meetings and learning situations. Spin is based on a new metaphor of virtual workspace. We have designed an interface, for an office environment, which recreates the three-dimensional elements needed during a meeting and increases the users scope of interaction. In order to accomplish these objectives, animation and three-dimensional interaction in real time are used to enhance the feeling of collaboration within the three-dimensional workspace. Spin is designed to maintain a maximum amount of information visible. The workspace is created using artificial geometry — as opposed to true three-dimensional geometry — and spatial distortion, a technique that allows all documents and information to be displayed simultaneously while centring the users focus of attention. Users interact with each other via their respective clones, which are three-dimensional representations displayed in each users interface, and are animated with user action on shared documents. An appropriate object manipulation system (direct manipulation, 3D devices and specific interaction metaphors) is used to point out and manipulate 3D documents.

Does DOF Separation on Elastic Devices Improve User 3D Steering Task Performance

We investigated the use of a new haptic device called the DigiHaptic in a 3D steering task. Unlike other devices intended to interact in 3D with one end-effector, the DigiHaptic has three levers that the user may handle simultaneously or not in elastic mode to rate control objects. We compared it to the SpaceMouse – another elastic device – to evaluate the influence that degrees of freedom (DOF) separation have in terms of accuracy (coordination and errors) and speed (time). The task consisted of steering paths that required the use of two or three DOF simultaneously. We found that users performed faster on the SpaceMouse but were less coordinated and accurate than on the DigiHaptic for the most complicated paths.

DESIGN GUIDE FOR 3D POINTING TECHNIQUES

We present a panel of pointing techniques, both in 2D and 3D. Analyzing them led us to propose here a guide for 3D pointing technique design, dedicated to programmers and designers of virtual environments. An example of 3D semantic pointing is given following this guide.