Introduction

This presentation gives an introduction of creating 3D graphical user interface, which belongs to constructing 3D user environment, the area that I have intensive interest in.  Much of the organization and content of this presentation came from IBM Ease of Use Basics,   RealPlaces Guidelines.
 

What is UI?

It's simply the parts of a computer and its software that you (the computer user) see, hear, touch, or talk to. The goal of UI design is to support users' endeavors and never intrude adversely. And it should be transparent to the task the user is trying to accomplish and be efficient, satisfying, and fun to use.

UI Evolution

  • Early days:

    •     computer users typed line after line of computer jargon using green text on black screens. This was clearly an interface that only a technologist could love.
  • Still dark age although more visual  techniques, such as menus, are created to ease the burden on users' memories.
  • Mordern age:

    •     GUI comes out, which makes computer technology becoming more accessible to businesses and individuals.
  • OOUI:

    •     object-oriented user interface such as Microsoft's Windows 95 and IBM's OS/2 Warp gets popular, which allows users to focus on the information they need to do their work, and it hides many of the traditional aspects of using a computer that users don't need or want to worry about.
  • Where to go?

    •     More simple and natural to use!
    Computer will exhibit characteristics of personality that will make it seem more friendly and pleasant to work with,  such as resemble what users see and experience in the real-world, users will visit places presented using 3D graphics and virtual reality techniques,  and etc...

    3D Graphical User Interface

    Goals: