A Comparison Study: Sketch-Based Interfaces versus WIMP Interfaces in Three Dimensional Modeling Tasks

Tiago Lemos de Araujo Machado, Alex Sandro Gomes, Marcelo Walter

Abstract: Sketch-Based Interfaces are becoming a popular interaction style for many applications. The interaction style tries to recreate the experience of sketching that is similar to real paper and pencil drawings.They are being used to accomplish tasks related to geometric modeling, animation, architecture, design, music, and learning, among others. In this work we evaluate and compare two interaction approaches, Sketch and WIMP, in tasks for modeling 3D objects. We used two distinct tools: Teddy - a sketch based modeling software, and the more traditional WIMP modeling tools Maya & 3DS Max. We used quantitative and qualitative methods to identify benefits from both techniques from the users' perspective. These data will be turned into requirements for a future prototype based on the usability gains of a combination between the two approaches in study.