Augmented Reality is increasingly used for visualizing underground networks. However, standard visual cues for depth perception have never been thoroughly evaluated using user experiments in a context involving physical occlusion (e.g. ground) of virtual objects (e.g. elements of buried a network). We hence evaluate the benefits and drawbacks of two techniques based on the combinations of two well-known depth cues: grid and shadows anchors. More specifically, we explore how each combination can contribute to positioning, and depth perception. We show that with shadows anchors only or combined with the grid, users generate 2.7 times fewer errors and have a 2.5 times lower perceived workload (NASA-TLX score) than with the grid only or no visual cue. Our investigation study shows that they are two effective techniques for visualizing underground objects. We also recommend the use of one technique or another depending on the situation in which they will be used.
CCS CONCEPTS• Computing methodologies → Mixed / augmented reality; Perception; • Human-centered computing → Visualization techniques.