A multi modal table-top 3D modeling tool in augmented environments

Abstract

Even with today's highly sophisticated 3D modeling programs, creating, assembling and adapting 3D models is still a big challenge for inexperienced users. In this paper we present our approach of an intuitive table-top 3D modeling tool in Augmented Reality. It allows the author to view 3D virtual objects within his natural working environment, to manipulate them and to create new 3D elements easily. The offered interaction techniques support the author's activity by a combination of tangible user interfaces with voice recognition, a gaze-based view pointer and 3D widgets as components of a multi modal user interface. Within the scope of this work, intuitive interaction techniques were realized to offer the participants an easy way of working within an augmented environment. User tests were performed to compare our approach to a WIMP-based desktop application and to an alternative AR modeling application.