Perceptual and Cognitive Aspects of Three-Dimensional Rotations for Computer Aided Design (CAD) Systems

Abstract

The purpose of the research reported here Is to investigate human spatial and cognitive abilities for a computer aided design (CAD) rotation task. This goal Is accomplished by experimentally testing the two main competing theories, analogue versus propositional, which describe how perceptual Information Is represented In memory. The hypotheses are tested using a full factorial design with three levels of figure complexity, three axes of rotation (X, Y, Z) and four angles of rotation (0, 60, 120, 180 degrees) for a reaction time rotation task. In addition, the frequency of axis and angle errors are collected to provide a better understanding of human errors In CAD. Results revealed a significant effect for angle of rotation for reaction time but no significant effect for figure complexity thus providing support for the analogue theory.