Controlling a single 3D object: Viewpoint metaphors, speed and subjective satisfaction

This paper presents the results of an empirical study concerning the controlling of a single three-dimensional (3D) object on a desktop computer screen. The subjects used three different interfaces for controlling the 3D object: the virtual trackball, a keyboard interface and an experimental virtual rectangle interface. Each of the three interfaces was tested using two viewpoint metaphors: the world-in-hand metaphor and/the eyeball-in-hand metaphor. The results indicate that the virtual trackball and the virtual rectangle were the fastest interfaces with no significant difference, while the users subjectively preferred the virtual rectangle interface. The use of the world-in-hand metaphor results in faster task times and increased subjective satisfaction. There were two object controlling styles, as the virtual trackball interface was used: controlling the object on just one:axis at a time and controlling on many axes simultaneously. Using the virtual rectangle interface the users also had two distinct object controlling styles: the feature-based style and the area-based style.