The Effect of Animated Transitions on User Navigation in 3D Tree-Maps

  • Authors:
  • Thomas Bladh;David A. Carr;Matjaz Kljun

  • Affiliations:
  • Luleå University of Technology;Luleå University of Technology;University of Primorska

  • Venue:
  • IV '05 Proceedings of the Ninth International Conference on Information Visualisation
  • Year:
  • 2005

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Abstract

This paper describes a user study conducted to evaluate the use of smooth animated transitions between directories in a three-dimensional, tree-map visualization. We looked specifically at the task of returning to a previously visited directory after either an animated or instantaneous return to the root location. The results of the study show that animation is adouble-edged sword. Even though users take more shortcuts, they also make more severe navigational errors. It seems as though the promise of a more direct route to the target directory, which animation provides, somehow precludes users who navigate incorrectly from applying a successful recovery strategy.