Collaborative hybrid virtual environment

Abstract

Supposing that, in a system operated by two users in different positions, it is easier for one of them to perform some operations, we developed a 3D User Interface (3DUI) that allows two users to interact together with an object, using the three modification operations (scale, rotate and translate) to reach a goal. The operations can be performed using two augmented reality cubes, which can obtain up to 6 degrees of freedom, and every user can select any operation by using a button on the keyboard to cycle through them. To the cubes are assigned two different points of view: an exocentric view, where the user will stand at a given distance from the object, with a point of view similar to the one of a human being; and an egocentric view, where the user will stand much closer to the object, having the point of view from the object's perspective. These points of view are locked to each user, which means that one user cannot use both views, just the one assigned to his ID. The cameras have a small margin of movement, allowing just a tilt to the sides, according to the Oculus's movements. With these features, this 3DUI aims to test which point of view is better for each operation, and how the degrees of freedom should be separated between the users.