Comparing Immersive Virtual Reality with Other Display Modes for Visualizing Complex 3 D Geometry

This experimental research was aimed at determining whether or not immersive virtual reality (IVR) technology gives a user a measurable advantage over more conventional display methods when visualizing complex 3D geometry. Subjects were shown an abstract rod sculpture in a variety of display and display-control modes, and were tasked with assembling a physical replica of the sculpture they were visualizing. They were scored on the speed and accuracy with which they assembled their replica sculptures. Head-tracked immersive VR was shown to have a statistically significant advantage over joystick-controlled display modes, especially in the case where the displayed sculpture was shown in super-scale, surrounding the subject.

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