Haptic camera manipulation: extending the "camera in hand metaphor"

Abstract

Many applications that support force feedback make use of a haptic device (such as the PHANToM) used for pointing operations, combined with a second device mainly used for navigation (such as a SpaceMouse). In our former research project we introduced the Camera In Hand Metaphor in which we use the PHANToM device for camera manipulations. This allows us to eliminate the second device and hence to free the user of the mental load to drive two different devices. Eliminating the second device, also allows the user to use his second hand for another task, such as to steer a second PHANToM Device. In this paper we report about an improvement of the Camera In Hand Metaphor in such a way that it better fits to the needs and expectations of the experienced users. Those improvements have been assessed in a formal user experiment.