A Case Study on Human Learning of Four-Dimensional Objects in Virtual Reality: Passive Exploration and Display Techniques

A recent study has shown that computer graphic techniques may be used to extend human perceptual abilities in comprehending four-dimensional space. The current case study explored conditions such learning can occur. An experienced human observer watched computer generated graphical simulations of randomly shaped hyper-tetrahedrons and made judgments about the Euclidean distance between two of the vertices in four-dimensional space. The geometric objects were displayed using a slicing technique with the objects either translating along the w-axis or rotating along the wx-plane, or using a projection technique. The results showed that learning four-dimensional objects for distance judgment does not require active manipulation of the objects and can be achieved through various display techniques.