Hybrid objects - a concept for the seamless integration of 2D and 3D user interfaces

VR systems are nowadays established in many areas. However, even in environments where VR is widely accepted, users spend the bigger part of their time working at classic desktops with WIMP (windows, icons, menus, pointers) interfaces. When switching to a VR-Setup the user usually also switches to a different application and thus needs time to familiarize with the software. For this reason we introduce a concept of HCI that is based on 3D widgets (hybrid objects) that are designed in such a way that with no or only slight modification 2D interaction is also possible. Thus, the same application can be used in 2D as well as in 3D. Furthermore, we introduce the Hybrid Desktop, a 2D/3D desktop VR configuration that is optimal for the hybrid objects concept. Finally, we describe a user test to show that skills learned on a application running on a desktop computer can be transferred to the same application running on VR hardware due to the consistent user interface.