Neat: a set of flexible tools and gestures for layout tasks on interactive displays

  • Authors:
  • Mathias Frisch;Ricardo Langner;Raimund Dachselt

  • Affiliations:
  • Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Germany;Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Germany;Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Germany

  • Venue:
  • Proceedings of the ACM International Conference on Interactive Tabletops and Surfaces
  • Year:
  • 2011

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Abstract

Creating accurate layouts of graphical objects is an important activity in many graphics applications, such as design tools, presentation software or diagram editors. In this paper, we are contributing Natural and Effective Layout Techniques (Neat). The system provides a consistent set of multi-touch tools and gestures for aligning and distributing graphical objects on interactive surfaces. NEAT explicitly considers expert requirements and supports a rich and consistent set of layout functions. Amongst others, it minimizes visual distraction by layout tools, combines separate steps of interaction to compound ones and allows effective interaction by combining multi-touch and pen input. Furthermore, Neat provides a set of bimanual gestures for achieving layout tasks in a quick and effective way without explicitly invoking any tools. From initial expert user feedback we derive several principles for layout tools on interactive displays.