title: Visualization task performance with 2D, 3D, and combination displays.
abstract: We describe a series of experiments that compare 2D displays, 3D displays, and combined 2D/3D displays (orientation icon, ExoVis, and clip planes) for relative position estimation, orientation, and volume of interest tasks. Our results indicate that 3D displays can be very effective for approximate navigation and relative positioning when appropriate cues, such as shadows, are present. However, 3D displays are not effective for precise navigation and positioning except possibly in specific circumstances, for instance, when good viewing angles or measurement tools are available. For precise tasks in other situations, orientation icon and ExoVis displays were better than strict 2D or 3D displays (displays consisting exclusively of 2D or 3D views). The combined displays had as good or better performance, inspired higher confidence, and allowed natural, integrated navigation. Clip plane displays were not effective for 3D orientation because users could not easily view more than one 2D slice at a time and had to frequently change the visibility of individual slices. Major factors contributing to display preference and usability were task characteristics, orientation cues, occlusion, and spatial proximity of views that were used together.
authors.affiliation: University of British Columbia, Department of Computer Science, Vancouver, Canada. melanie@cs.ubc.ca
authors.forename: Melanie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tory
authors.forename: Arthur E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Kirkpatrick
authors.forename: M Stella
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Atkins
authors.forename: Torsten
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Möller
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003626:Data Display; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D014787:Vision Tests / Q000379:methods*; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology*