Tool-based Interaction for Precise Manipulation in VR: an Exploratory Study

Eva Geurts, Jan Van den Bergh, Bram Vanherle

Abstract: Virtual Reality-based interactions are getting more mainstream in several domains, such as gaming, education, and training. While there is extensive literature on new interaction techniques, applying and recombining these for specific tool-based interactions remains challenging. We specifically look at promising VR manipulation techniques using controllers. We implemented these techniques in a proof-of-concept toolchain aimed at spray painters. We extracted and manipulated the relevant parts for a controlled within-subject comparative experiment with 16 participants. We find, among other things, that, as in direct manipulation, tool-based interaction with controllers in VR can benefit from zoom and separation of degrees of freedom to achieve effective and efficient manipulation.