Human and machine dimensions of 3D interfaces for virtual environments

Abstract

This work explores two categories for evaluating and measuring virtual environment (VE) interfaces. One category concerns characteristics of the interface, such as its complexity and abstractness. The other catego~concerns the human capacities for understanding and using three-dimensional input/output devices. The results may help us predict the usability of VE interfaces and help us to design interfaces that are well matched to their intended users.

Virtual Reality, Involvement and the Consumer Interface

“…These virtual worlds, often found in computer gaming environments, afford an experience of smoothly navigating a physical-like space. Navigation may be ground-based or floating, but more sophisticated interactive navigation devices allowing "movement" in several dimensions require considerable user learning (Boyd, 1995) and entail increased cognitive load, and so we restrict consideration to the analogue of physical walking, using public domain software and a standard PC configuration. Figure 3 shows a screenshot of Beachtown taken from a VRML world modeled on the boat harbor area, one of the hyperlinked locations on the interactive map.…”

XJL - an XML schema for the rapid development of advanced synthetic environments

“…Although there are clear reasons to desire the flexibility a large array of input commands provides, Boyd reminds us that the added flexibility often brings undesired complexities. "People in general are quick to learn simpler interfaces and what slows them down with the others is the complexity of the command language and the indirectness of the mapping from user input to system response[Boyd95]. "Chapter 4: The XJL SchemaGiven a user whom understands the high-level concepts of 3D modeling and animation -based on experience with advanced 3D content production tools -we have developed an XML schema that equips the user to develop advanced virtual environment applications without facing the riggers of technical programming and scripting languages.Our solution, the eXtensible Juggler Language (XJL) is designed to provide a simple, clean, and extendable interface for the development of such environments.…”