Transition Techniques for Externally-Guided Multi-Scale Viewpoint Changes

2026-08-05

AI Summary

This study addresses spatial disorientation caused by externally guided viewpoint transitions in multiscale extended reality (XR), where existing transition mechanisms inadequately support spatial continuity. The authors propose three novel viewpoint transition techniques grounded in an externalized reference frame and user pose, evaluating their impact on spatial cognition during transitions among world-scale, street-level, and indoor views through a within-subjects experiment (N=20). Multidimensional analysis—integrating spatial recall tasks, standardized questionnaires, and semi-structured interviews—reveals that, compared to conventional black-screen fade transitions, the proposed methods significantly enhance spatial orientation and perceived continuity across scales, while showing no significant difference in same-scale recall performance. These findings validate the effectiveness of the proposed strategies in augmenting spatial cognition in multiscale XR environments.

Abstract

Extended reality (XR) is increasingly used to help users understand complex virtual environments through multiple viewpoints across different immersion levels, positions, and scales. While numerous techniques address viewpoint transitions for self-guided exploration, many scenarios require externally-guided transitions where a system or presenter controls the user's viewpoint, leaving the user with limited spatial knowledge and control over the transition process, which can increase susceptibility to disorientation and discomfort. We present three transition techniques for externally-guided multi-scale XR viewpoint changes and evaluate them against a fade-to-black baseline in a within-subjects study (N=20). Participants transitioned between world-in-miniature, street-level, and indoor destination views. We combined spatial recall measures, standardized questionnaires, and semi-structured interviews to assess orientation, workload, comfort, and continuity. Results showed that in our setup, techniques externalizing reference frames and the user's pose improved multi-scale spatial recall relative to a fade, while same-scale recall was insensitive to transition technique. We conclude with design implications for multi-scale XR viewpoint transitions.

Problem

• externally-guided transitions
• multi-scale viewpoint changes
• spatial disorientation
• extended reality
• user comfort

Innovation

• externally-guided transitions
• multi-scale viewpoint changes
• spatial recall
• extended reality (XR)
• reference frame externalization