Illustration of the proposed 3D timeline design space for immersive exploration of time-varying spatial 3D data. The first row showcases different timeline representations, i.e. guiding curve of the timeline; while the second row showcases different support configurations. The rightmost image ilustrates the use of an helicoid representation for the exploration of an time-varying embryo imaging dataset. The viridis colormap is used to encode the elongation ratio of cells involved in morphogenetic movements.

The analysis of multidimensional time-varying datasets faces challenges, notably regarding the representation of the data and the visualization of temporal variations. We propose an extension of the well-known Space-Time Cube (STC) visualization technique in order to visualize time-varying 3D spatial data, taking advantage of the interaction capabilities of Virtual Reality (VR). First, we propose the Space-Time Hypercube (STH) as an abstraction for 3D temporal data, extended from the STC concept. Second, through the example of embryo development imaging dataset, we detail the construction and visualization of a STC based on a user-driven projection of the spatial and temporal information. This projection yields a 3D STC visualization, which can also encode additional numerical and categorical data. Additionally, we propose a set of tools allowing the user to filter and manipulate the 3D STC which benefits the visualization, exploration and interaction possibilities offered by VR. Finally, we evaluated the proposed visualization method in the context of 3D temporal cell imaging data analysis, through a user study (n = 5) reporting the feedback from five biologists. These domain experts also accompanied the application design as consultants, providing insights on how the STC visualization could be used for the exploration of complex 3D temporal morphogenesis data.

Microscopy image observation is commonly performed on 2D screens, which limits human capacities to grasp volumetric, complex, and discrete biological dynamics. With the massive production of multidimensional images (3D + time, multi-channels) and derived images (e.g., restored images, segmentation maps, and object tracks), scientists need appropriate visualization and navigation methods to better apprehend the amount of information in their content. New modes of visualization have emerged, including virtual reality (VR)/augmented reality (AR) approaches which should allow more accurate analysis and exploration of large time series of volumetric images, such as those produced by the latest 3D + time fluorescence microscopy. They include integrated algorithms that allow researchers to interactively explore complex spatiotemporal objects at the scale of single cells or multicellular systems, almost in a real time manner. In practice, however, immersion of the user within 3D + time microscopy data represents both a paradigm shift in human-image interaction and an acculturation challenge, for the concerned community. To promote a broader adoption of these approaches by biologists, further dialogue is needed between the bioimaging community and the VR&AR developers.

In the context of the IEEE VR 2022 3DUI Contest entitled "Arts, Science, Information, and Knowledge -Visualized and Interacted", this paper presents a VR application to highlight the usage of the rubber slider metaphor. The rubber slider is an augmentation of usual 2D slider controls where users can bend the slider axis in order to control an additional degree of freedom value in the application. This demonstration immerses users in a Virtual Environment where they will be able to explore a database of art pieces geolocated on a 3D earth model and their corresponding art movements displayed on a timeline interface.

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In the context of the IEEE VR 2020 3DUI Contest entitled "Embodiment for the Difference", this paper presents a VR application to highlight the challenges that people with physical disabilities face on their daily life. Two-armed users are placed in a world where people normally have three arms, making them effectively physically disabled. The scenario takes the user through the process of struggling with everyday interactions (designed for humans with three arms), then receiving a third arm prosthesis and thus recovering some level of autonomy. The experience is intended to generate a sense of difference and empathy for physically disabled persons.