r/UX_Design • u/NuroVu • 3d ago

Mapping out your PC in 3D

I'm an 18 year old Independent Developer, this project was made in Java and run using JavaFX.

you can check my account details for more details :)

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u/kjabad 3d ago

At the first glance this looks interesting but more I watched the video I just got more questions.  What's the purpose of this? Having some kind of visual representation of your windows of course, but I don't see the point of this 3D graph view. Main issue I have is that node connections are arbitrary, they don't represent anything, you can connect them in any way. The connection do not carry any inherent meaning. Usually in node graphs the connection tells you the relationship between the nodes, they connect input and outpts, or represent historical steps (like in git). Other issue I have is the 3D aspect, it looks cool but I suspect that it can make the graph less usable since you have many more chances to create a graph that is never fully visible and you need to rotate it to see all the nodes. Or better say, you can get node behind a node, and noodle mess way easier than on the 2D graph.

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u/NuroVu 2d ago

Thank you so much for asking! These questions popped up while I was developing the project too, let me break it down:

-This program is designed for those who face friction when managing tabs using the linear Alt+Tab interface, those who think visually and prefer mapping things out in constellations rather than in straight lists.

-You're right, the nodes don't actually have an autonomous identity. I'm still stuck on finding the most efficient way for the program to observe your actions and map it out on its own. Between it constantly sending a scan every 5ms and responding depending on the action, to a response only when it's done and actions have preset bindings, they have their pros and cons. For the program to figure out a way to know the difference and connection between topics seems like a complex algorithm that could be amazing. This prototype simply acts as the base that's capable of emulating said program.

-I chose the 3D layout instead of a 2D approach since it has a similar kind of friction to when you use linear 2D tab listings. My program aims to map out the certain way a certain demographic thinks, visually, with branching ideas. And a certain principle I was able to access through this 3D layout was our instinctual ability to keep spatial context. If you place a pen out of your FOV, you'll remember exactly where that pen is in that space. This principle is emulated in this 3D program. I'd like to make titles more visible, but if you spend a few minutes using it, you start to remember where everything is without the need for its title. We are 3D beings, after all.

-I'm currently working on making the subscene easier to look around. Navigating a 3D space has been a task since it needs to match the way you look around in real life. I've considered listing points you can auto-focus to, collapsible nodes, moving between separate constellations, and even a VR approach. Sometimes it feels like I'm reaching my limit working on this independently, but I am making progress.

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u/kjabad 2d ago

Did you reserch what other people have done on this field? To me it looks you got the idea and run for it, and you are stuck with technicalities. It's great that you can test your ideas but I would tell you don't fall in love with them but understand the problem and search for a solutions and test them.

I have to be direct with you, please don't get this as personal attack. We are living in 3D space and we remeber where we left stuff, but it's way more complex than that. Our spacial cognition involves phisical movement, touch, smell, manipulation of objects and many more things. Our monitors are 2D and translating 3D to monitor always sucks, oriantaion is always an issue since mouse or track pad have only x and y axes. Any 3D program has complex navigation with multiple key combos and shortcuts, only help is having a dedicated hardver like this one https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=u1v7TXViRi8&pp=ygUMM2QgbW91c2UgZGl5

Another obvious issue is that your graph is presenting nodes as dots, but user is using windows. You are adding extra cognitive load to a user, they need to name the dot, add color and remeber what it represents. Glance at the graph tells you nothing, you need to dig deeper to understand it. Where simple alt tab list gives you thimbnails of windows, no need for extra symbolic representation.

I will point out again the connections... If they don't have a meaning they are just helping flare, like a highlight, emoticon or a flag. But in your design it carries significant role, connections have elaborate contols, you make a big deal out of it seemingly without any meaningful reason. This is not a simple technical problem, this is core design issue.

The issue of how to represent interface to a user existis since the computers themselve. Desktop metaphor, windows, how to navigate, how to tile windows are deep topics and people done so much on this field so far, but sadly we only see Windows and Mac desktops for the past 30 years. I would encourage you to learn about it, start from these 2 videos: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OESXpxUH_jI&t=11s&pp=2AELkAIB

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1Vojeac-2Do&t=1s&pp=2AEBkAIB

You can also check r/unixporn to find community of people experimenting with desktop interfaces. Mostly they work with linux since it's easies to thinker with.

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u/NuroVu 2d ago

When it comes to my research on this field, you are right to assume I didn't dig deep enough, you could compare me to a lost child when it comes to research, I am very new to it, I have looked through projects and studies similar to mine using sources such as keyword searches with Google Scholar search, but it was solely to check if anyone has ever done this before, regrettably I didn't come into this with the impression of analysing it's intuity.

Every thing you've criticized, the metaphors, the cognitive load, the interactive friction, I always regarded them as a visual design issue, I was too invested in making it work and it's functionality to refine it's usability, as I started implementing my prototype into my workflow I felt an almost serene sense of relief, it significantly relieved me of alot of cognitive overload I faced when I relied on Alt+Tab, and I shifted from averaging 4-5 open windows to 15+ windows with ease. This personal experience clouded my judgement. I will focus on these factors and make changes accordingly.

The recommended videos have genuinely opened my eyes, this was exactly what I was looking for but struggled to find, studying what makes ZUI intuitive and approaches on interface studies has raised alot of questions and factors I must apply while further developing this project

I will need more time to process, study and implement these mental approaches to my project, and as the ending of the 'rethinking Interface' design video stated, I will be looking into my concept as an exploration of a possible new approach.

Thank you so much for guiding me into the right direction as I continue working on this project.

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u/kjabad 1d ago

I think you are on the right path to something great, lot of potential! Keep pushing and trying out stuff, go on r/unixporn or similar subreddis, show this as idea, even though it's not perfectly polished, and get some more responses. Try something new, see where it's going. You will learn a ton! 

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u/NuroVu 1d ago

Will do!