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Interfaces to Database Systems (IDS94) pp 127–142Cite as

Design of a 3D User Interface to a Database

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Part of the book series: Workshops in Computing ((WORKSHOPS COMP.))

Abstract

A new revolution is occurring in graphical interface design with multimedia and virtual metaphors taking their place beside menus and dialogue boxes. Nowhere is such a paradigm shift more needed than in visual query systems for databases.

Previous studies in visual query languages for database management systems have attempted to use solely the desktop metaphor. We have used three dimensional graphical techniques to construct an interface for our object oriented database. Interactive animated 3D graphics have been embedded inside a standard menu driven framework. 3D representations for both query construction and result representation have been developed. This paper will discuss our approach and the design of our interface AMAZE.

The upsurge in the number of casual users and the general acceptance of computer technology has shown that the principal driving force in software engineering is shifting from functionality to usability. It has also become evident that the Xerox Star interface and its whole related genre do not provide the modern interface designer with the expressive power that is needed. As the desktop metaphor popularised document management, so the new generation of interfaces will take database access out of the hands of a select few and give it to the many.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of Computing Science, King’s College, Aberdeen University, Aberdeen, UK

    John Boyle & Peter M. D. Gray

  2. Dept. of Molecular and Cell Biology, Marishal College, Aberdeen University, Aberdeen, UK

    John Boyle & John E. Fothergill

Authors
  1. John Boyle
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  2. John E. Fothergill
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  3. Peter M. D. Gray
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Computing Department, Lancaster University, LA1 4YR, Bailrigg, Lancaster, UK

    Pete Sawyer BSc, PhD

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© 1995 Springer-Verlag London

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Boyle, J., Fothergill, J.E., Gray, P.M.D. (1995). Design of a 3D User Interface to a Database. In: Sawyer, P. (eds) Interfaces to Database Systems (IDS94). Workshops in Computing. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-3818-1_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-3818-1_7

  • Publisher Name: Springer, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-540-19910-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4471-3818-1

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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