ABSTRACT Volume data analysis often involves finding structures inside the volume. Segmentation i... more ABSTRACT Volume data analysis often involves finding structures inside the volume. Segmentation is the standard method, but it is quite timeconsuming. Alternate approaches remove context, assume prior definition of ROI or segments, or distort part of the volume. We propose a new bimanual 3D interaction technique, called Volume Cracker (VC), which allows the user to crack open a volume like a book to analyze the internal structures.
Abstract Disaster relief responders aim to quickly locate and extract survivors from dangerous en... more Abstract Disaster relief responders aim to quickly locate and extract survivors from dangerous environments. This research explores the use of a collaborative guidance system for search-and-rescue in a complex building. We implemented and evaluated a proof-of-concept system that allowed a scene commander and responder to efficiently search a building using visual, nonverbal communication. Participants found the interface to be both intuitive and fun, and results suggest that the collaborative navigation system was effective.
(GBD) as a component of immersion in virtual environment systems. We hypothesized that GBD may re... more (GBD) as a component of immersion in virtual environment systems. We hypothesized that GBD may reduce users' task performance in some cases, and choosing appropriate stimuli in GBD can alleviate its negative effects. We performed two empirical experiments to test the two hypotheses. Using a four-screen CAVE™ as the experiment platform, we carefully designed three tasks that cause different levels of awareness of GBD. Using these tasks, we compared users' performance and preference in three conditions.
Abstract Few researchers have addressed the important issue of three-dimensional multiple object ... more Abstract Few researchers have addressed the important issue of three-dimensional multiple object selection (MOS) in immersive Virtual Environments (VEs). We have developed a taxonomy of the MOS task as a framework for exploring the design space of these techniques. In this thesis, we describe four techniques for selecting multiple objects in immersive VEs.
Abstract We designed a collaborative navigation interface in which one user (the controller) guid... more Abstract We designed a collaborative navigation interface in which one user (the controller) guides a second, remote user (the navigator) through a 3D game environment. Both sides of the interface use commercially available gaming hardware. The controller uses full-body gestures to send navigation cues to the navigator, who travels through the environment using typical 3D gaming controls.
Abstract Cooperative manipulation refers to the simultaneous manipulation of a virtual object by ... more Abstract Cooperative manipulation refers to the simultaneous manipulation of a virtual object by multiple users in an immersive virtual environment (VE). In this work, we present techniques for cooperative manipulation based on existing single-user techniques.
This part of the tutorial deals with some high-level issues regarding the methodology that one sh... more This part of the tutorial deals with some high-level issues regarding the methodology that one should use for design & evaluation of interaction techniques. Ivan's lecture on the art of interaction design told us about intuition, creativity, and other “artistic” processes that can lead to innovative design. However, not all design is based on a flash of insight. Sometimes, systematic & structured techniques can lead to designs that achieve performance, usability, and usefulness.
Abstract This paper presents the VASP data viewer, a desktop 3D visualization application for the... more Abstract This paper presents the VASP data viewer, a desktop 3D visualization application for the analysis of electronic structure information derived from ab-initio quantummechanical density functional calculations. This tool allows a scientist to directly view and manipulate the calculated charge density from an electronic structure calculation, providing insight into the nature of chemical bonding. Particular attention was given to the design and implementation of the user interface for the data viewer.
Abstract The educational benefits of immersive virtual environments (VEs) have long been touted, ... more Abstract The educational benefits of immersive virtual environments (VEs) have long been touted, but very few immersive VEs have been used in a classroom setting. We have developed three educational VEs and deployed them in university courses. A key element in the success of these applications is a simple but powerful user interface (UI) that requires no training, yet allows students to interact with the virtual world in meaningful ways.
Abstract User interfaces involving explicit control of numeric values in immersive virtual enviro... more Abstract User interfaces involving explicit control of numeric values in immersive virtual environments have not been well studied. In the context of designing three-dimensional interaction techniques for the creation of multiple objects, called cloning, we have developed and tested a dynamic slider interface (D-Slider) and a virtual numeric keypad (VKey). Our cloning interface requires precise number input because it allows users to place objects at any location in the environment with a precision of 1/10 unit.
Abstract It is extremely challenging to run controlled studies comparing multiple augmented reali... more Abstract It is extremely challenging to run controlled studies comparing multiple augmented reality (AR) systems. We use an ldquoAR simulationrdquo approach, in which a virtual reality (VR) system is used to simulate multiple AR systems. In order to validate this approach, we carefully replicated a well-known study by Ellis et al. using our simulator, obtaining comparable results.
In VR, users are placed into a computer-generated 3D world that can be viewed and navigated in re... more In VR, users are placed into a computer-generated 3D world that can be viewed and navigated in real time [1]. With high-end VR displays, such as CAVEs and headmounted displays, virtual objects can appear to exist in real 3D space, and the virtual world can appear to surround the user physically.
Abstract The World In Miniature (WIM) technique has effectively allowed users to interact and tra... more Abstract The World In Miniature (WIM) technique has effectively allowed users to interact and travel efficiently in Virtual Environments. However, WIM fails to work in worlds with tasks at various levels of scale. Such an example is using the WIM to arrange furniture and then leaving the room to travel the city using the WIM for navigation and wayfinding. To address this problem, scaling and scrolling were added to the WIM to create the Scaled Scrolling World In Miniature (SSWIM).
Abstract Traditional menu designs are not well-suited for command selection on distant displays. ... more Abstract Traditional menu designs are not well-suited for command selection on distant displays. We describe a n. ew interaction technique called the" roll-and-pinch menu"(rapMenu), and investigate the design space of remote menu selection using freehand gestural input.
Abstract This paper explores the link between users' physical navigation, specifically their dist... more Abstract This paper explores the link between users' physical navigation, specifically their distance from their current object (s) of focus, and their interaction scale. We define a new 3D interaction technique, called multiscale interaction, which links users' scale of perception and their scale of interaction. The technique exploits users' physical navigation in the 3D space in front of a large high-resolution display, using it to explicitly control scale of interaction, in addition to scale of perception.
The structure of MOOsburg consists of spaces and landmarks. Spaces are places in town that contai... more The structure of MOOsburg consists of spaces and landmarks. Spaces are places in town that contain other places. Landmarks are visitable places in the MOO. A user either navigates to a landmark, or, if the landmark is itself a space with a substructure, the user can go into the landmark. Buildings are typical spaces and rooms are typical landmarks within these spaces. Figure 1 shows the MOOsburg interface including the map tool prototype.
Abstract Most current VE applications make use of well-known 3D interaction techniques, such as r... more Abstract Most current VE applications make use of well-known 3D interaction techniques, such as ray-casting or the Go-Go technique. Such techniques, however, were designed generically, without considering the context of use. We argue that the design of 3D interaction techniques should take the application domain into account. In our work, we have developed interfaces for a VE application for structural engineering, including interfaces for cloning, a domain-specific task. We designed and compared six cloning interfaces.
Abstract We propose the use of virtual environments to simulate augmented reality (AR) systems fo... more Abstract We propose the use of virtual environments to simulate augmented reality (AR) systems for the purposes of experimentation and usability evaluation. This method allows complete control in the AR environment, providing many advantages over testing with true AR systems. We also discuss some of the limitations to the simulation approach. We have demonstrated the use of such a simulation in a proof of concept experiment controlling the levels of registration error in the AR scenario.
Spatial collaboration is an everyday activity in which people work together to solve a spatial pr... more Spatial collaboration is an everyday activity in which people work together to solve a spatial problem. For example, a group of people will often arrange furniture together or exchange directions with one another. Collaborative virtual environments using desktop PCs are particularly useful for spatial activities when the participants are distributed. This work investigates ways to enhance distributed, collaborative spatial activities. This paper explores how different frames of reference affect spatial collaboration.
ABSTRACT Volume data analysis often involves finding structures inside the volume. Segmentation i... more ABSTRACT Volume data analysis often involves finding structures inside the volume. Segmentation is the standard method, but it is quite timeconsuming. Alternate approaches remove context, assume prior definition of ROI or segments, or distort part of the volume. We propose a new bimanual 3D interaction technique, called Volume Cracker (VC), which allows the user to crack open a volume like a book to analyze the internal structures.
Abstract Disaster relief responders aim to quickly locate and extract survivors from dangerous en... more Abstract Disaster relief responders aim to quickly locate and extract survivors from dangerous environments. This research explores the use of a collaborative guidance system for search-and-rescue in a complex building. We implemented and evaluated a proof-of-concept system that allowed a scene commander and responder to efficiently search a building using visual, nonverbal communication. Participants found the interface to be both intuitive and fun, and results suggest that the collaborative navigation system was effective.
(GBD) as a component of immersion in virtual environment systems. We hypothesized that GBD may re... more (GBD) as a component of immersion in virtual environment systems. We hypothesized that GBD may reduce users' task performance in some cases, and choosing appropriate stimuli in GBD can alleviate its negative effects. We performed two empirical experiments to test the two hypotheses. Using a four-screen CAVE™ as the experiment platform, we carefully designed three tasks that cause different levels of awareness of GBD. Using these tasks, we compared users' performance and preference in three conditions.
Abstract Few researchers have addressed the important issue of three-dimensional multiple object ... more Abstract Few researchers have addressed the important issue of three-dimensional multiple object selection (MOS) in immersive Virtual Environments (VEs). We have developed a taxonomy of the MOS task as a framework for exploring the design space of these techniques. In this thesis, we describe four techniques for selecting multiple objects in immersive VEs.
Abstract We designed a collaborative navigation interface in which one user (the controller) guid... more Abstract We designed a collaborative navigation interface in which one user (the controller) guides a second, remote user (the navigator) through a 3D game environment. Both sides of the interface use commercially available gaming hardware. The controller uses full-body gestures to send navigation cues to the navigator, who travels through the environment using typical 3D gaming controls.
Abstract Cooperative manipulation refers to the simultaneous manipulation of a virtual object by ... more Abstract Cooperative manipulation refers to the simultaneous manipulation of a virtual object by multiple users in an immersive virtual environment (VE). In this work, we present techniques for cooperative manipulation based on existing single-user techniques.
This part of the tutorial deals with some high-level issues regarding the methodology that one sh... more This part of the tutorial deals with some high-level issues regarding the methodology that one should use for design & evaluation of interaction techniques. Ivan's lecture on the art of interaction design told us about intuition, creativity, and other “artistic” processes that can lead to innovative design. However, not all design is based on a flash of insight. Sometimes, systematic & structured techniques can lead to designs that achieve performance, usability, and usefulness.
Abstract This paper presents the VASP data viewer, a desktop 3D visualization application for the... more Abstract This paper presents the VASP data viewer, a desktop 3D visualization application for the analysis of electronic structure information derived from ab-initio quantummechanical density functional calculations. This tool allows a scientist to directly view and manipulate the calculated charge density from an electronic structure calculation, providing insight into the nature of chemical bonding. Particular attention was given to the design and implementation of the user interface for the data viewer.
Abstract The educational benefits of immersive virtual environments (VEs) have long been touted, ... more Abstract The educational benefits of immersive virtual environments (VEs) have long been touted, but very few immersive VEs have been used in a classroom setting. We have developed three educational VEs and deployed them in university courses. A key element in the success of these applications is a simple but powerful user interface (UI) that requires no training, yet allows students to interact with the virtual world in meaningful ways.
Abstract User interfaces involving explicit control of numeric values in immersive virtual enviro... more Abstract User interfaces involving explicit control of numeric values in immersive virtual environments have not been well studied. In the context of designing three-dimensional interaction techniques for the creation of multiple objects, called cloning, we have developed and tested a dynamic slider interface (D-Slider) and a virtual numeric keypad (VKey). Our cloning interface requires precise number input because it allows users to place objects at any location in the environment with a precision of 1/10 unit.
Abstract It is extremely challenging to run controlled studies comparing multiple augmented reali... more Abstract It is extremely challenging to run controlled studies comparing multiple augmented reality (AR) systems. We use an ldquoAR simulationrdquo approach, in which a virtual reality (VR) system is used to simulate multiple AR systems. In order to validate this approach, we carefully replicated a well-known study by Ellis et al. using our simulator, obtaining comparable results.
In VR, users are placed into a computer-generated 3D world that can be viewed and navigated in re... more In VR, users are placed into a computer-generated 3D world that can be viewed and navigated in real time [1]. With high-end VR displays, such as CAVEs and headmounted displays, virtual objects can appear to exist in real 3D space, and the virtual world can appear to surround the user physically.
Abstract The World In Miniature (WIM) technique has effectively allowed users to interact and tra... more Abstract The World In Miniature (WIM) technique has effectively allowed users to interact and travel efficiently in Virtual Environments. However, WIM fails to work in worlds with tasks at various levels of scale. Such an example is using the WIM to arrange furniture and then leaving the room to travel the city using the WIM for navigation and wayfinding. To address this problem, scaling and scrolling were added to the WIM to create the Scaled Scrolling World In Miniature (SSWIM).
Abstract Traditional menu designs are not well-suited for command selection on distant displays. ... more Abstract Traditional menu designs are not well-suited for command selection on distant displays. We describe a n. ew interaction technique called the" roll-and-pinch menu"(rapMenu), and investigate the design space of remote menu selection using freehand gestural input.
Abstract This paper explores the link between users' physical navigation, specifically their dist... more Abstract This paper explores the link between users' physical navigation, specifically their distance from their current object (s) of focus, and their interaction scale. We define a new 3D interaction technique, called multiscale interaction, which links users' scale of perception and their scale of interaction. The technique exploits users' physical navigation in the 3D space in front of a large high-resolution display, using it to explicitly control scale of interaction, in addition to scale of perception.
The structure of MOOsburg consists of spaces and landmarks. Spaces are places in town that contai... more The structure of MOOsburg consists of spaces and landmarks. Spaces are places in town that contain other places. Landmarks are visitable places in the MOO. A user either navigates to a landmark, or, if the landmark is itself a space with a substructure, the user can go into the landmark. Buildings are typical spaces and rooms are typical landmarks within these spaces. Figure 1 shows the MOOsburg interface including the map tool prototype.
Abstract Most current VE applications make use of well-known 3D interaction techniques, such as r... more Abstract Most current VE applications make use of well-known 3D interaction techniques, such as ray-casting or the Go-Go technique. Such techniques, however, were designed generically, without considering the context of use. We argue that the design of 3D interaction techniques should take the application domain into account. In our work, we have developed interfaces for a VE application for structural engineering, including interfaces for cloning, a domain-specific task. We designed and compared six cloning interfaces.
Abstract We propose the use of virtual environments to simulate augmented reality (AR) systems fo... more Abstract We propose the use of virtual environments to simulate augmented reality (AR) systems for the purposes of experimentation and usability evaluation. This method allows complete control in the AR environment, providing many advantages over testing with true AR systems. We also discuss some of the limitations to the simulation approach. We have demonstrated the use of such a simulation in a proof of concept experiment controlling the levels of registration error in the AR scenario.
Spatial collaboration is an everyday activity in which people work together to solve a spatial pr... more Spatial collaboration is an everyday activity in which people work together to solve a spatial problem. For example, a group of people will often arrange furniture together or exchange directions with one another. Collaborative virtual environments using desktop PCs are particularly useful for spatial activities when the participants are distributed. This work investigates ways to enhance distributed, collaborative spatial activities. This paper explores how different frames of reference affect spatial collaboration.
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Papers by Doug Bowman