What is the purpose of this web site?
This web site invites discussion and collects feedback both from experts in this field and the wider public, in order to inform best practice in 3D user interfaces.
The tasks describe some basic elements of user interfaces for 3d environments and the examples (with video clips) illustrate different ways to achieve that task in practice.
Tasks can involve interacting with the scene as a whole, or particular objects within it, or how to represent concepts such as orientation, position and the properties of objects.
The aim is to evaluate different techniques, rather than the question “What is your favourite 3d viewing software?”
This web site has been developed as part of the VEPs project.
How can I get involved?
For a given task, have a look at the video clips for each example. You can rate each example in terms of how friendly / intuitive it is for achieving that task. You can add comments to discuss the pros and cons or suggest alternatives, which can be ideas or working examples as seen in other software.
We aim to add further tasks and examples over time, in part according to how the discussions develop.
Why I can’t see the videos?
You may need to install the latest version of Adobe Flash Player.
Depending on the speed of your internet connection a video may pause while viewing for the first time.
What is VEPs?
The Virtual Environmental Planning (VEPs) project is developing internet-based tools to help people view, comment on and understand the environmental issues associated with proposed planning developments and to help them to participate more fully in the planning process.
Who is behind this web site?
Manchester Digital Development Agency (MDDA) is part of Manchester City Council.
MDDA is leading in this element of the project, with the following VEPs partner organisations contributing:
- CSTB, France
- University of West England, England
- University of Stuttgart, Germany
- Groundwork, England
- Environment Agency for England and Wales, England
