Navigating in 3D Immersive Environments: a VirCa usability study

Navigation in 3D environment encounters more challenges than in 2D case. While there exist well established framework, tested solutions for 2D environment these solution usually fail in 3D. In the recent years immersive 3D environments are becoming more common in research and also in education. This tool helps to visualize information simpler and more understandable way as any other solution. For human beings the feeling of depth is a unique feature and this is the most appropriate way to take advantage out of it.The goal of this study is to investigate the problem of navigation in 3D immersive environment and propose solution to it with carrying out usability study in a software solution called VirCa (Virtual Collaboration Arena). Total 6 Master level students have participated in the test. They have carried out simple navigation and manipulation tasks in the immersive environment and had to fill in different questionnaires. Methodology and results are also presented in the paper.