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Navigation in desktop virtual environments: an evaluation and recommendations for supporting usability

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Abstract

Virtual reality (VR) can provide useful tools for a variety of applications. However, for these tools to be effective, they must be easy to use. In virtual environments (VEs), usability is impaired by poorly designed navigation systems. Insufficient realism and missing physiological orientation and motion cues impair spatial learning in desktop VEs. Capabilities for navigation in a VE are far more varied than in reality; so much greater flexibility can be offered, but designing VEs with too many options can overwhelm users. To assist designers in building effective, usable navigation systems for VEs, navigation techniques must be evaluated to identify which features actually support users in accomplishing their tasks and which features create unnecessary problems.

This study evaluates navigation in two different VEs to develop recommendations for the design of navigation systems in desktop VEs. The study consists of an objective assessment of navigation control dynamics, a guideline-based evaluation and a review of data collected during two experimental studies. The findings indicate that real-world constraints, specialised navigation techniques and feedback regarding location and direction of travel are needed to support navigation in desktop VEs.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Visual Interface Technologies Division, OECD Halden Reactor Project, P.O. Box 173, N-1751, Halden, Norway

    Angelia Sebok, Espen Nystad & Stein Helgar

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  1. Angelia Sebok
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  2. Espen Nystad
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  3. Stein Helgar
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Correspondence to Angelia Sebok.

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Sebok, A., Nystad, E. & Helgar, S. Navigation in desktop virtual environments: an evaluation and recommendations for supporting usability. Virtual Reality 8, 26–40 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10055-004-0133-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10055-004-0133-1

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