Abstract: Due to the increased use of 3D modeling software in the design and manufacture of products, careful evaluation needs to be made as to how the 3D model is represented on the computer display. The experiment's hypothesis is that both rate in which projections of a rotating object are presented and whether the object is rendered as a line drawing or shaded will effect the mental representation of the object. The experiment factorially crossed three levels of projection presentation rate with two levels of rendering (line drawing vs. shaded). All levels of both independent variables were between subjects. The subjects' score on a mental rotations test score was used as a covariant. The subjects each viewed 40 displays representing different rotating objects and identified the objects through a forced choice pair selection. RT and error rate were measured for each selection trial. Data on a total of 72 subjects was analyzed using the ANOVA procedure. The results of the experiment showed a significant main effect of the rate of presentation variable on RT. The results also showed a significant main effect of the rendering variable on error rate. No interaction was found between the two independent variables. The results indicate varying presentation rate can be an effective tool in allowing faster interpretations of an object. It is also recommended that the display technique be carefully matched to the complexity of the object being displayed and the capabilities of the computer being used to display it.

Keywords: 3-D; CAD (Computer-aided design); Computer-supported cooperative work; Design; Empirical studies; Information display; Prototyping; Screen output; Software development; Visualization

Originally published: Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 38th Annual Meeting, 1994, pp. 1326-1330

Republished: G. Perlman, G. K. Green, & M. S. Wogalter (Eds.) Human Factors Perspectives on Human-Computer Interaction: Selections from Proceedings of Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meetings, 1983-1994, Santa Monica, CA: HFES, 1995, pp. 373-377.