Task Switching With 2D and 3D Displays of Geographic Terrain: The Role of Visual Momentum

摘要

We were interested in determining if the visual momentum provided by gradual transition between 2D and 3D views of geographic terrain aided task switching. Forty-two participants made judgments about the properties of two points placed on terrain depicted as 2D or 3D displays. Participants performed the tasks in pairs of trials, switching tasks and displays between trials. On half the trials (continuous transition), the display dynamically rotated in depth from one display format to the other. On the other half (discrete transition), a blank screen was shown for the same duration. The results showed that performance improved more for the continuous transition than the discrete transition condition. We argue that this was because the transition provided improved visual momentum between consecutive displays, and recommend the use of dynamic transition when commanders are viewing multiple display windows over time.