An Introduction to 3D User Interface Design

3D user interface design is a critical component of any virtual environment (VE) application. In this paper, we present a broad overview of three-dimensional (3D) interaction and user interfaces. We discuss the effect of common VE hardware devices on user interaction, as well as interaction techniques for generic 3D tasks and the use of traditional two-dimensional interaction styles in 3D environments. We divide most user interaction tasks into three categories: navigation, selection/manipulation, and system control. Throughout the paper, our focus is on presenting not only the available techniques, but also practical guidelines for 3D interaction design and widely held myths. Finally, we briefly discuss two approaches to 3D interaction design, and some example applications with complex 3D interaction requirements. We also present an annotated online bibliography as a reference companion to this article

Using Pinch Gloves(TM) for both Natural and Abstract Interaction Techniques in Virtual Environments

Usable three-dimensional (3D) interaction techniques are difficult to design, implement, and evaluate. One reason for this is a poor understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of the wide range of 3D input devices, and of the mapping between input devices and interaction techniques. We present an analysis of Pinch Gloves™ and their use as input devices for virtual environments (VEs). We have developed a number of novel and usable interaction techniques for VEs using the gloves, including a menu system, a technique for text input, and a two-handed navigation technique. User studies have indicated the usability and utility of these techniques

A Content-Analysis Approach for Exploring Usability Problems in a Collaborative Virtual Environment

As Virtual Reality (VR) products are becoming more widely available in the consumer market, improving the usability of these devices and environments is crucial. In this paper, we are going to introduce a framework for the usability evaluation of collaborative 3D virtual environments based on a large-scale usability study of a mixedmodality collaborative VR system. We first review previous literature about important usability issues related to collaborative 3D virtual environments, supplemented with our research in which we conducted 122 interviews after participants solved a collaborative virtual reality task. Then, building on the literature review and our results, we extend previous usability frameworks. We identified twelve different usability problems, and based on the causes of the problems, we grouped them into three main categories: VR environment-, device interaction-, and task-specific problems. The framework can be used to guide the usability evaluation of collaborative VR environments

Examining the role of smart TVs and VR HMDs in synchronous at-a-distance media consumption

This article examines synchronous at-a-distance media consumption from two perspectives: How it can be facilitated using existing consumer displays (through TVs combined with smartphones), and imminently available consumer displays (through virtual reality (VR) HMDs combined with RGBD sensing). First, we discuss results from an initial evaluation of a synchronous shared at-a-distance smart TV system, CastAway. Through week-long in-home deployments with five couples, we gain formative insights into the adoption and usage of at-a-distance media consumption and how couples communicated during said consumption. We then examine how the imminent availability and potential adoption of consumer VR HMDs could affect preferences toward how synchronous at-a-distance media consumption is conducted, in a laboratory study of 12 pairs, by enhancing media immersion and supporting embodied telepresence for communication. Finally, we discuss the implications these studies have for the near-future of consumer synchronous at-a-distance media consumption. When combined, these studies begin to explore a design space regarding the varying ways in which at-a-distance media consumption can be supported and experienced (through music, TV content, augmenting existing TV content for immersion, and immersive VR content), what factors might influence usage and adoption and the implications for supporting communication and telepresence during media consumption

Comparing collaborative problem solving in virtual reality and desktop computer display environments

https://www.ester.ee/record=b5160211*es

Data Driven Discovery in Astrophysics

We review some aspects of the current state of data-intensive astronomy, its methods, and some outstanding data analysis challenges. Astronomy is at the forefront of "big data" science, with exponentially growing data volumes and data rates, and an ever-increasing complexity, now entering the Petascale regime. Telescopes and observatories from both ground and space, covering a full range of wavelengths, feed the data via processing pipelines into dedicated archives, where they can be accessed for scientific analysis. Most of the large archives are connected through the Virtual Observatory framework, that provides interoperability standards and services, and effectively constitutes a global data grid of astronomy. Making discoveries in this overabundance of data requires applications of novel, machine learning tools. We describe some of the recent examples of such applications.Comment: Keynote talk in the proceedings of ESA-ESRIN Conference: Big Data from Space 2014, Frascati, Italy, November 12-14, 2014, 8 pages, 2 figure

The World of Dungeons and Dragons as a Therapeutic Approach to Complex Trauma

This qualitative dissertation delves into the therapeutic potential of Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) as an intervention for individuals coping with trauma and related mental health challenges. Drawing from a diverse sample of participants with varying gender identities, age groups, and D&D experience levels, this study employs a grounded theory approach to unravel the intricate interplay between D&D engagement and mental health outcomes. The study identifies several key implications, including the importance of creating inclusive therapeutic spaces, the lifespan relevance of D&D interventions, the potential for tailored interventions addressing relationship dynamics, and the accessibility of D&D as a therapeutic tool. Delimitations highlight the contextual specificity, limited generalizability, sample characteristics, subjective perceptions, therapeutic emphasis, temporal constraints, and cultural considerations inherent to this research

Collaborative interaction in immersive 360º experiences

Os sistemas de reprodução de vídeo tornaram-se, a cada dia, mais habituais e utilizados. Consequentemente, foram criadas extensões desta tecnologia permitindo colaboração multipessoal de modo a poder assistir remotamente e sincronamente. Exemplos conhecidos são o Watch2gether, Sync Video e Netflix Party, que nos permitem assistir vídeos síncrona e remotamente com amigos. Estas aplicações de visualização conjunta, apesar de bem desenvolvidas, estão limitadas ao típico formato, não se estendendo a vídeos 360. O principal objetivo deste projeto é então expandir a pesquisa nesta área ao desenvolver um sistema colaborativo para vídeos 360. Já foram direcionados vários esforços na área de vídeos 360o, um deles sendo o projeto AV360, aplicação que permite ao utilizador visualizar e editar este tipo de vídeos com anotações e guias. O sistema que se pretende integrar é um seguimento ao AV360, utilizando parte das tecnologias já implementadas. De maneira a compartimentalizar e facilitar a pesquisa são considerados os seguintes temas de forma individual: a visualização de vídeos 360o, a generalidade dos sistemas colaborativos, a aplicação de colaboração em ambientes virtuais e os sistemas de vídeo colaborativos. É importante ter noção das vantagens e desvantagens de assistir a um vídeo 360o, conseguir retirar o que é a essência nestes vídeos e mantê-la, integrando também a inclusão de outros utilizadores. Na escolha das atividades colaborativas a aplicar, é imprescindível analisar o estado em que os sistemas colaborativos se encontram hoje em dia e posteriormente afunilar a pesquisa para a colaboração em ambientes virtuais e em vídeos. Dentro de todos os métodos analisados só os adaptáveis a ambientes imersivos e a vídeos são escolhidos e desenvolvidos neste projeto. Com base numa pesquisa aprofundada sobre o assunto, é criado um sistema de colaboração em vídeos 360o. O software permite que os utilizadores assistam em simultâneo a um vídeo enquanto comunicam de uma forma verbal e não verbal para se expressarem e partilharem a experiência do momento. Este trabalho tem em mente que parte das ideias implementadas possam ser reutilizáveis para outros projetos de experiências imersivas