Preset based interaction with high dimensional parameter spaces

Many systems require the setting of a large number of parameters. This is often a difficult and time consuming task, especially for novice users. A framework is presented to simplify this task. Settings are defined as a weighted sum of a number of presets, thereby bridging the gap between the expert mode of setting all individual parameters and the novice user mode of selecting presets. Several methods are presented to set the weights of the presets. With an interactive graphical widget, the preset controller, the user can change many parameters simultaneously in an easy and natural way. Also, methods for automated scanning of the parameter space are described. Three applications are presented: Color editing, morphing of drawings, and the control of a sound synthesizer. CR Categories: H.5.2 [Information Interfaces and Presentation]: User Interfaces; I.3.6 [Computer Graphics]: Methodology and Techniques—Interaction techniques