Exploring the design space of multiscale 3D orientation

Abstract

Figure 1: Users can easily become disoriented in complex 3D scenes containing objects that exist at a number of scales. Advanced visual interfaces, such as the mirror ball (center), may help users understand their position and orientation in the scene. AbstractRecently, research in 3D computer graphics and interaction has started to move beyond the narrow domain of single object authoring and inspection, and has begun to consider complex multiscale objects and environments. This generalization of problem scope calls for more general solutions, which are more akin to information visualization techniques than traditional computer graphics approaches.We consider the general problem of the users understanding of their position and orientation within a multiscale 3D scene and propose a classification of the design space. To ground this theoretical discussion, we present initial explorations into grouping techniques, visualizations, and interactions to facilitate multiscale 3D orientation.

3D Marking menu selection with freehand gestures

“…In 3D environments, researchers have also used sphere shaped cues to display off-screen objects, such as mirror ball [17] and 3D arrow cluster [10]. These techniques can provide 3D location cues for the objects distributed around a 3D environment to support 3D interaction tasks such as navigation.…”

Communicating Genome Architecture: Biovisualization of the Genome, from Data Analysis and Hypothesis Generation to Communication and Learning

“…Both 3D non-domain apps [84] and genomic software (see Existing Tools) bring fast and fluid interaction of spatially-structured scenes [85], optimized and rendered on-the-fly in GPU born of the CAD and games industries [85,86]. As in 2D maps, grids and markers [87] create common frames of reference, and automatically decluttered at higher scales by aggregation [88]. A number of 3D-specific constructs can reduce the loss of reference when navigating these complex scenes: task-appropriate viewpoint and controls can be preselected by calculating the information of each voxel [89]; axial radars [90] and 'birdseye'/'flower garden' give a 360º situational awareness and orient using avatar landmarks [87].…”

“…As in 2D maps, grids and markers [87] create common frames of reference, and automatically decluttered at higher scales by aggregation [88]. A number of 3D-specific constructs can reduce the loss of reference when navigating these complex scenes: task-appropriate viewpoint and controls can be preselected by calculating the information of each voxel [89]; axial radars [90] and 'birdseye'/'flower garden' give a 360º situational awareness and orient using avatar landmarks [87]. Other techniques reserve user interaction and interface selection for objective-focused intuitive spatial inspection and interaction: navigation can be steered [91] or condensed as gimbals (e.g.…”

Advances in Interaction with 3D Environments

“…McCrae et al . [MGG*10] examines user understanding of position and orientation within multi‐scale 3D data sets.…”