Debates: Comparison of commercial tools 2-D vs. 3-D cs5984: Information Visualization Chris North

Comparisons Kobsa, “Comparison of commercial infovis systems” Kunal, Zhiping

2-D vs. 3-D

Multi-Dimensional data Variety of studies: Merwin, Wickens, Boyle, Boyer, Hollands, Barfield data plots, air traffic control, … E.g: 2 2D views vs. 1 3D view vs. 2D+color

Results Hard to make sense of it all… In general: 2D: better accuracy, efficiency 3D: better overview, trends Architects know this! Orthographic 3d for overview Plan, profile, section (?) for exact measurements

Ware et al. Node+link graph structures in 3D space 4 versions: Static 2D = 3D graph projected onto 2D, static Stereo 3D Rotation 3D (head-coupled) Stereo+Rotation 3D Task: path finding Exist path of length 2 between 2 highlighted nodes?

Results Error rates different, Response times same Static 2D worst Stereo 3D: 1.6x better Rotation 3D: 2.2x better Stereo+Rot: 3.0x better Method of rotation not important

So…? Static 3D beat static 2D 3D good for revealing complex structure? Better to see things that are 3D in 3D! (Hubona) 2D = 3D - stereo - rotation Of course it’s the worst! What about 2D interaction, alternative layouts? Springs, aggregation, focal nodes, hierarchization,…

Modjeska Hierarchical data in VR 2 UIs: 3D fly through (6 dof, VRML) similar to SGI FSN 2D map-view (top view of VR) with zoom/pan like Pad++

Results Number of search targets found: 3D: D: 13.6 (sig) 3D navigation cumbersome 3D version is basically 2D!

Carr et al. 3D visualizations for Hierarchical data: Landscape: like 3D in Modjeska InfoCube: 3D containment, boxes in boxes, transparency CamTree: like ConeTree VRML 6 dof navigation only Tasks: Search Count Compare

Results 3 Tasks: Search, Count, Compare Best to worst (perf time & errors): Landscape CamTree InfoCube Landscape: users used as 2D! Bird’s eye, then zoom in

So…? 3D (6 dof) navigation cumbersome Custom interaction techniques more important When doing 3D Vis, don’t just do 6 dof VR E.g. ConeTree directory rotations, pruning, DQ, etc. VR can beat PR! (Physical Reality) Need overview map for 3D Disorientation problem e.g. Harmony web browser

Conflicting Results? Design of 3D navigation controls Head tracking (natural) vs. control panel (unnatural) “Look at” vs. “Be in” Fish-tank VR vs. Immersive VR Fish-tank: 2 dof, never lost, easier Immersive: 6 dof, disorientation, harder Multi-D vs. Graph vs. Tree Tree can be done well in 2D

Summary Interaction design more important than 2D/3D Can make good displays in 2D or 3D Interaction makes or breaks Currently: 2D interaction designs more advanced »Fisheye, F+C, O+D, zoom/pan,… Fish-tank 3D: Promising results for visualizing complex structure E.g: Networks, biology molecules

To Do Compare good 2D Vis. to good 3D Vis. E.g: HyperbolicTree vs. ConeTree Theory Cost structure of information access (Card et al.) Calculate clicks/time to access info What about Immersive VR? Tool builders + evaluators Builders don’t test their good tools Evaluators do good tests on lame tools