ShapeTouch: Combining bimanual and pen-based input

A multitouch + pen-based version of Ryan Schmidt's Shape Shop software (shapeshop3d.com) developed at VIMMI research group.

Multitouch enabled surfaces can bring advantages to modeling scenarios, in particular if bimanual and pen input can be combined. In this work, we assess the suitability of multitouch interfaces to 3D sketching tasks. We developed a multitouch enabled version of ShapeShop, whereby bimanual gestures allow users to explore the canvas through camera operations while using a pen to sketch. This provides a comfortable setting familiar to most users. Our contribution focuses on comparing the combined approach (bimanual and pen) to the pen-only interface for similar tasks. We conducted the evaluation helped by ten sketching experts who exercised both techniques. Results show that our approach both simplifies workflow and lowers task times, when compared to the pen-only interface, which is what most current sketching applications provide.

Published at SBIM2011, Sketch-based Interfaces and Modelling, Vancouver.