Shehata, S. (2003) Think 3D! An undergraduate research project.

Abstract

The effective management of documents on the desktop has been a key concern for many years.  One of the most common approaches to this problem is the use of the a 2-dimensional iconic interface, which involves a type of spatial layout of icons; mostly icons are used to represent data and programs.  This approach was designed to take advantage of the human spatial cognitive abilities [2].  As computer graphic user interfaces are loaded with increasingly greater numbers of object, researchers in Human Computer Interaction have been looking for a new way of constructing user interfaces.  Recently many 3-dimensional spatial layouts have been introduced also trying to maximize the human spatial cognitive ability.  In the first part of this paper, I describe the differences of 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional interfaces by examining related work in employing both approaches looking for the strengths and weaknesses of each.  The meaning of 3-dimensional in this paper is a 3-D interface that incorporates the use of proper landmarks, customizable semantics and color.

A 3-dimensional mock up prototype is then constructed based on the strengths and weaknesses of existing systems.  A study was then conducted to study the strengths of both the 2-dimensional iconic display and a 3-dimensional prototype.  Results then indicated that both form and layout significantly affected user performance; subjects located information more quickly when using the 3-dimensional prototype then they did in a 2-dimensional layout.  These results suggest that an interface with proper landmarks, semantics, color and 3-dimensions for general placement may be an improvement over traditional interfaces.