3D spirals, bubbles and sliders: setting range values in multi-user 3D environments

This paper describes a series of interactive 3D range setting components, each designed for application in shared multi-user 3D environments. The nature of multi-user environments creates the necessity for interactive 3D interface components to be able to function when viewed from a range of different perspectives at the same point in time. The three described components were designed with this requirement in mind. The first component, a 3DBubble based system, utilizes a simple sphere that expands and contracts on an axis device to represent changing range values. The second component uses a cone shaped spring device, the 3DSpiral, with a sliding ball that moves along the spring to enable interaction, range viewing and value setting. The final device is a simple cylinder, the 3DCylinder, with a ring that moves along its shape to set changes in range value. An experimental trial of 78 participants was carried out and involved each participant using the three 3D components, with an additional control group for comparison (using a 2D slider), to set range values. Results from the trial showed that the 3DBubble and 3DSpiral achieved outcomes that matched the control (2DSlider) in terms of accuracy of result and time taken to complete task. The advantage of the 3DBubble and the 3DSpiral was that they performed consistently from multiple points of view and that this was significantly better than both the control and the 3DSlider, both of which performed poorly when viewed from anything other than a front, square on angle. These results indicate that the 3DBubble and 3DSpiral offer potential for use in setting range values in multi-user 3D environments.