Constrained 3D navigation with 2D controllers

Abstract

Navigation through 3D spaces is required in many i n teractive graphics and virtual reality applications. We consider the subclass of situations in which a 2D device such as a mouse controls smooth movements among viewpoints for a through the screen" display of a 3D world. Frequently, there is a poor match b e t ween the goal of such a n a vigation activity, the control device, and the skills of the average user. We propose a uni ed mathematical framework for incorporating context-dependent constraints into the generalized viewpoint generation problem. These designer-supplied constraint modes provide a middle ground between the triviality of a single camera animation path and the confusing excess freedom of common unconstrained control paradigms. We demonstrate the approach w i t h a v aried spectrum of examples including terrain models, interior architectural spaces, and complex molecules.

The design-by-adaptation approach to universal access: learning from videogame technology

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