# 3D interaction > form of human-machine interaction **Wikidata**: [Q4636320](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4636320) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3D_interaction) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/3d-interaction ## Summary 3D interaction is a form of human-machine interaction that takes place within three-dimensional space. It is classified as a distinct subfield and interaction modality of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), the academic discipline that studies the relationship between people and computers. ## Key Facts * **Definition:** 3D interaction is defined as a form of human-machine interaction. * **Parent Discipline:** It is a recognized subfield of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). * **Academic Context:** It operates within HCI, an interdisciplinary field that incorporates aspects of computer science, psychology, and design. * **Interaction Modality:** It is categorized specifically as an interaction modality involving three-dimensional space, distinct from text-based command-line interfaces or mobile interaction. * **Wikipedia Presence:** The entity has a dedicated Wikipedia page in at least two languages (English and French) and has a sitelink count of 2. * **Standard Identifiers:** * IGI Global Dictionary ID: 86 * Google Knowledge Graph ID: /g/11f647sz2m * Microsoft Academic ID (discontinued): 2776977519 ## FAQs ### Q: What is 3D interaction? A: 3D interaction is a form of human-machine interaction that occurs in three-dimensional space. It is a specialized subfield within the broader discipline of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). ### Q: How does 3D interaction relate to Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)? A: 3D interaction is a subfield and specific interaction modality of HCI. While HCI covers the broad study of interactivity between humans and computers, 3D interaction focuses specifically on spatial and three-dimensional user experiences. ### Q: What other fields is 3D interaction connected to? A: Through its parent discipline HCI, 3D interaction is connected to an interdisciplinary network that includes computer science (its primary classification), psychology, and design. ## Why It Matters 3D interaction represents a critical evolution in how humans engage with digital environments, moving beyond traditional two-dimensional screens into spatial computing. As a subfield of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), it addresses the specific challenges of usability, cognitive friction, and design within three-dimensional contexts. This area of study is essential for advancing technologies such as virtual reality, augmented reality, and spatial simulations, ensuring that complex 3D digital capabilities align with human cognitive and physical needs. By applying the interdisciplinary principles of HCI—merging computer science, psychology, and design—3D interaction helps create intuitive and effective interfaces for immersive technologies. ## Notable For * **Spatial Modality:** It is distinct from other HCI subfields like mobile interaction or text-based command-line interfaces because it specifically focuses on interaction within three-dimensional space. * **Interdisciplinary Roots:** While a technical field, it inherits its foundational framework from the intersection of computer science, psychology, and design via its parent discipline, HCI. * **Specialized Research Area:** It is recognized alongside other specialized HCI domains such as human-robot interaction, human-AI interaction, and Gender HCI. ## Body ### Classification and Academic Context 3D interaction is formally classified as a form of human-machine interaction. It functions as a subfield of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), which serves as the parent academic discipline. HCI is broadly defined as the study of interactivity, focusing on the relationship between humans and computers. As an academic discipline, HCI is considered a subfield of computer science but is also highly interdisciplinary, integrating facets of psychology and design. The study of 3D interaction benefits from this interdisciplinary foundation, utilizing principles from design and psychology to understand how users perceive and manipulate objects in three-dimensional digital environments. ### Interaction Modalities Within the broader scope of HCI, 3D interaction is categorized as a specific interaction modality. It is distinguished from other modes of interaction such as: * **Command-line interfaces:** Text-based interactions. * **Mobile interaction:** Interactions specifically designed for mobile devices. * **Multimodal interaction:** Interfaces using multiple simultaneous input/output types (e.g., touch and voice). 3D interaction specifically addresses the nuances of user input and system feedback within volumetric space, a critical area for modern computing applications. ### Standard Identifiers and Linked Data The entity "3D interaction" is indexed in several major knowledge bases and academic repositories. These identifiers serve as unique reference points for the concept in linked data ecosystems: * **IGI Global Dictionary ID:** 86 * **Google Knowledge Graph ID:** /g/11f647sz2m * **Microsoft Academic ID:** 2776977519 (Note: This service has been discontinued). * **Wikidata/Wikipedia:** The concept has a sitelink count of 2, corresponding to Wikipedia entries in English and French. ### Related Concepts in HCI While 3D interaction focuses on spatial interfaces, it shares the theoretical framework of HCI with several related concepts and subfields. These include: * **Human-Agent Interaction:** Including human-robot interaction and human-AI interaction. * **Critical Perspectives:** Such as Gender HCI and Feminist HCI. * **Usability:** Concepts like cognitive friction (mental resistance to an interface) and the digital stress threshold are relevant to designing effective 3D spaces. * **Security:** The subfield of usable privacy and security.