A Multi-touch System for 3D Modelling and Animation

3D modelling and animation software is typically operated via single-pointer input, imposing a serialised workflow that seems cumbersome in comparison to how humans manipulate objects in the real world. Research has brought forth new interaction techniques for modelling and animation that utilise input with more degrees of freedom or employ both hands to allow more parallel control, yet these are separate efforts across diverse input technologies and have not been applied to a usable system. We developed a 3D modelling and animation system for multi-touch interactive surfaces, as this technology offers parallel input with many degrees of freedom through one or both hands. It implements techniques for one-handed 3D navigation, 3D object manipulation, and time control. This includes mappings for layered or multi-track performance animation that allows the animation of different features across several passes or the modification of previously recorded motion. We show how these unimanual techniques can be combined for efficient bimanual control and propose techniques that specifically support the use of both hands for typical tasks in 3D editing. A study proved that even inexperienced users can successfully use our system for a more parallel and direct modelling or animation process.