Mixed task domain representation in VR-DIS

Direct manipulation interfaces are characterised according to the representation of the task domain. The domain objects and the effect of user operations on those objects. In the VR-DIS system (Virtual Reality-Design Information System), the task domain is represented by a mix of a verbal (textual) and analogue (pictorial) representation. Objects are represented by a mixture of a descriptive spatial 3D graph of text blocks and a realistically rendered perspective view. It is postulated that user interfaces that present mixed views of the task domain can better support differences between users' working styles and sub-task dependent types of information exchange.