Currently evaluating a command and control / battlefield visualization application for the US Naval Research Lab. These evaluations have been included early in the software development lifecycle, and as such are shaping development efforts enroute to a more usable end-product.
Currently researching methods to incorporate eye tracking information into VE usability evaluation techniques. Methods include high-level capture of eye tracking information for use by the usability evaluator as well as information to be used by the user interface itself.
Developed four VE usability-based training courses including:
- Interaction in VEs: Designing Appropriate User Interfaces for VEs
- VE Interface Design: Presenting Complex Information Spaces in VEs
- VE Usability Assessment: Identifying Critical Usability Issues Before Final Delivery
- Usability Engineering of VEs: Developing Useful and Usable VEs
- US Army DBBL Ft. Benning: Leading the concept and proposal development of a multi-million dollar development effort for the US Army to develop a low-cost, portable natural locomotion interface and state-of-the-art immersive environments. These efforts include designing proprietary VE-based software and innovative visual presentation devices.
- FY99 N99-183: entitled "Coupling Real-world motion with virtual world systems." This effort will incorporate a ship’s actual motion as a basis for the virtual sea-state (and subsequent virtual motion associated with virtual sea state)
- FY99 AF99-115: entitled "Innovative methods for integrating multiple input devices on a single computer system." This effort examines techniques to support multiple, collaborating, users (each with their own set of input devices: keyboard, mouse, lightpen, etc.) on a single computer system.
- NationsBank Simulation-based Training: This effort examines the use of a haptic-based force-feedback glove (Virtual Technologies' CyberGrasp) for use in training bank tellers.
Developed a PC-based application that allows users to "virtually" visit and experience a historical church constructed in the early 1800’s. This application includes a 3D, stereoscopic visual scene, complex daytime and nighttime lighting, user interaction and appropriate audio cues.
Developed and produced a 45-minute passive stereo presentation for 300 people. Specific tasks included developing VE-based content (creating 3D models, programming within and integrating into a simulation application), customizing SGI’s infinite reality graphics to accommodate passive stereo modes, fine tuning presentation paths and eye-separations, setting up Onyx2 and projectors.
Performed research to explore methods of streaming photo-realistic, animation quality stereoscopic images over the internet as part of a CIT study award to explore VEs as a new technology in Virginia. Help to author the project final report entitled "Infrastructure Development and Planning Project to Explore the Benefits of a Collaborative Virtual Environment in Virginia Universities and Businesses". The final report is available here.
Designed, developed, and implemented commercial web site for local Opthamologist as well as a gourmet gift basket company. Related tasks include domain name registration, DNS setup, search engine registration, site hosting and maintenance. See http://www.doctorh.com, and http://www.gourmetgiftbaskets.com
- Gabbard, J. L., Hix, D, and Swan, E. J., User Centered Design and Evaluation of Virtual Environments , invited paper for IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications. Nov/Dec 1999 (Vol. 19, No. 6), pp 51-59.
- Gabbard, J. L. and Hix, D., "Usability Engineering for Virtual Environments through a Framework of Usability Characteristics", currently submitted to Presence: A Journal for Teleoperators and Virtual Environments.
- Hix, D. and Gabbard, J. L., "Usability Engineering of Virtual Environments", To appear in Kay Stanney (eds) Handbook of Virtual Environments. Chapter 39. Note: E-version of the document is not available until time of publishing.
- Hix, D., Swan, E. J., Gabbard, J. L., McGee, M., Durbin, J., King, T., "User-Centered Design and Evaluation of a Real-Time Battlefield Visualization Virtual Environment", Proceedings IEEE Virtual Reality '99, March 13-17, Houston, Texas: IEEE Computer Society Press, 1999, pages 96-103. Winner of the "Best Paper" award at IEEE Virtual Reality '99.
- Gabbard, J., Swartz, K., Richie, K., and Hix, D. (1999) "Usability Evaluation Techniques: A Novel Method for Assessing the Usability of an Immersive Medical VE". Proceedings of Virtual Worlds and Simulation Conference (VWSIM'99), 1999, pp. 165-170. Paper was accompanied by an invited talk at the VWSIM’99 conference.
- Invited talk at "Building Virginia ‘99" entitled "Developing Virtual Environment Architectural Models for Effective Client Presentation" The PowerPoint presentation slides are available here.