Smart Tools for Virtual Reality Based Cad

Usability in virtual reality based design tools (VRAD) is a major issue since its interaction techniques are not yet fully investigated. Human factors such as pointing precision, fatigue, hand vibrations, lack of limb support, and interaction anisotropy should be taken into account for a more effective interface as compared to the 2D. This work presents an ongoing study addressing human performances in VR during common CAD tasks: picking, pointing, and line drawing. Tests confirm performances reduction along the user’s head to hand direction, mainly due to occlusion and lack of appropriate feedback. Three virtual tools are here presented in order to overcome the interaction anisotropy: the “Ortho Tool”, the “Smart Transparency”, and the “Smart Object Snap”. The new interface has shown better user performances and improved model understanding. Results achieved in this work contribute not only toVRAD development, but also to other virtual reality applications, because their context can be easily extended.