Using Two-Dimensional and Perspective Views of Terrain

Abstract

Abstract : The use of three dimensional (3-D) perspective views on flat screens for military command and control tasks is accelerating. The question is when and how to use these displays effectively. We report the results of three experiments to test the hypotheses that 3-D displays are useful for understanding object shape, but 2-D displays are more useful for understanding relative positions of objects. We tested this hypothesis using terrain stimuli. Participants viewed a 7 by 9 mile piece of terrain in 3-D from a 45 degree angle, a 90 degree angle, or in 2-D as a topographic map. In Experiment 1, participants chose the correct ground level view from four alternatives. In Experiment 2, participants judged whether the position of one location was visible from another location or obstructed by intervening terrain. In Experiment 3, participants judged which of two locations was higher. We found that participants were faster and more accurate in selecting the correct terrain shape with the 3-D views, but were more accurate in selecting the higher terrain location with the 2-D views.