Tangible 3D tabletops: combining tangible tabletop interaction and 3D projection

In this paper we present the tangible 3D tabletop and discuss the design potential of this novel interface. The tangible 3D tabletop combines tangible tabletop interaction with 3D projection in such a way that the tangible objects may be augmented with visual material corresponding to their physical shapes, positions, and orientation on the tabletop. In practice, this means that both the tabletop and the tangibles can serve as displays. We present the basic design principles for this interface, particularly concerning the interplay between 2D on the tabletop and 3D for the tangibles, and present examples of how this kind of interface might be used in the domain of maps and geolocalized data. We then discuss three central design considerations concerning 1) the combination and connection of content and functions of the tangibles and tabletop surface, 2) the use of tangibles as dynamic displays and input devices, and 3) the visual effects facilitated by the combination of the 2D tabletop surface and the 3D tangibles.