Influence of orientation offset between control and display space on user performance during the rotation of 3D objects

Abstract

This paper presents an exploratory investigation of the influence of orientation offset between control and display space on user performance in three-dimensional rotation tasks. A target-matching task was chosen as an experi-mental task; participants had to rotate an object (using an input device with 3 degree-of-freedom (DOF) in rota-tion) so that it matched the target, which was an object identical to the controlled object. Orientation of the con-trolled object was offset relative to the target's orientation by 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, 210, 240, 270, 300, 330 degrees. Those offsets were separately applied to each of the 3 axes of the target (vertical (X), horizontal (Y) and depth (Z) axes). Completion time and time series of orientation of the input device were collected. Results show strong effects of high values of offset (from 90° to 150° and from 210° to 270°) on user performance and user be-haviour. In addition, there was a difference in user performance and behaviour between orientation offsets on the Z-axis and those on the two other axes, apparently due to the form of the input device that was used. The findings from this investigation may contribute to the design of 3D input devices (with regard to issues on physical form-factors and on supports for rotation in particular) and that of techniques for the manipulation of 3D objects.