Distance Perception in Virtual Environments: Effects of Field of View and Surface Texture at Near Distances

This study investigated the effects of three system related cues on estimates of near distances. Subjects (N=28) viewed a simple VE and used a magnitude estimation procedure to generate distance estimates to a wall at the end of a corridor 1 to 12 feet away. Independent variables included type of wall texture (2 levels), resolution of wall texture (3 levels), display FOV (2 levels), and distance (12 levels). Dependent variables included distance estimates, response latency, and relative error of estimates. Subjects consistently underestimated distances judged using a wide FOV and overestimated distances judged with a narrow FOV. Distance estimates were significantly affected by both FOV and texture type. Significant interactions of distance with FOV, texture type, and texture resolution revealed that these variables had greater effects at the closer distances. The most accurate estimates occurred with a wide FOV and a rich, fine resolution pattern.