Effect of computer graphics enhancements on spatial performance using perspective displays

Abstract Two studies were performed to investigate the effect of providing computer graphics enhancements to a perspective display on the observer's ability to estimate the azimuth and elevation separating two computer-generated images. The enhancements included the ability to rotate the perspective scene, the use of Lambertian shading, and the use of Lambertian shading with computer-generated shadows. The results indicated that the computer graphics enhancements of shadows and Lambertian shading did not aid subjects in judgments of azimuth or elevation. However, the ability to rotate the scene significantly improved judgments of elevation. Furthermore, this effect was most pronounced for larger elevation separations between images. The results also showed that the geometric field of view used to design the perspective display influenced the magnitude of azimuth errors. Implications of the results for the design of spatial displays are discussed.

[1]  Stephen R. Ellis,et al.  Perceived Threat and Avoidance Maneuvers in Response to Cockpit Traffic Displays , 1984 .

[2]  Woodrow Barfield,et al.  Judgments of Azimuth and Elevation as a Function of Monoscopic and Binocular Depth Cues Using a Perspective Display , 1995, Hum. Factors.

[3]  Stephen R. Ellis,et al.  Influence of a Perspective Cockpit Traffic Display Format on Pilot Avoidance Maneuvers , 1983 .

[4]  L D Silverstein,et al.  Spatial Judgments with Monoscopic and Stereoscopic Presentation of Perspective Displays , 1992, Human factors.

[5]  Suzanne V. Bemis,et al.  Operator Performance as a Function of Type of Display: Conventional versus Perspective , 1988 .

[6]  Steven Todd,et al.  Three-Dimensional Displays: Perception, Implementation, and Applications , 1989 .

[7]  Stephen R. Ellis,et al.  Perspective Traffic Display Format and Airline Pilot Traffic Avoidance , 1987 .

[8]  W Barfield,et al.  Spatial performance with perspective displays as a function of computer graphics eyepoint elevation and geometric field of view. , 1995, Applied ergonomics.

[9]  S R Ellis,et al.  The Effect of Perspective Geometry on Judged Direction in Spatial Information Instruments , 1986, Human factors.

[10]  C. Wickens.  Engineering psychology and human performance, 2nd ed. , 1992 .

[11]  Woodrow Barfield,et al.  Visual Enhancements and Geometric Field of View as Factors in the Design of a Three-Dimensional Perspective Display , 1990 .

[12]  Blake Hannaford,et al.  Quantitative Evaluation of Perspective and Stereoscopic Displays in Three-Axis Manual Tracking Tasks , 1987, IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics.