Using deformations to explore 3D widget design

Abstract

The design space of 3D widgets is extremely large and unexplored. 3D widgets are objects that encapsulate 3D geometry and behavior to control other objects in the scene. As a way to focus on issues of 3D widgets design, we developed widgets to perform a task of applying high-level deformations to 3D objects. Discussed issued in widget design are self-disclosure, implicit control of parameters and degrees of freedom. A great deal of experimentation is necessary before a common, useful and powerful collection of 3D widgets becomes as widespread as those of the 2D windows, icons and mouses interfaces of today.