On Merging Command Selection and Direct Manipulation

Abstract

We present the results of a study comparing the relative benefits of three command selection techniques that merge command selection and direct manipulation: one two-handed technique , Toolglass, and two one-handed techniques , control menus and FlowMenu.

Our results show that control menus and FlowMenu are significantly faster than Toolglass. Further analysis suggests that merging command selection and direct manipulation is the key factor in the performance of all three techniques.

Keywords: FlowMenu, control menus, tool palette, Toolglass, empirical studies

(UMIACS-TR-2002-91) (HCIL-TR-2002-20)