Is 3DGS Useful?: Comparing the Effectiveness of Recent Reconstruction Methods in VR

Recent advances in 3D object reconstruction have been remarkable, and 3D object reconstruction methods capable of real-time rendering are crucial for the creation of real-world content. Most reconstruction research has focused on improving algorithmic performance (e.g., rendering time, and visual quality). However, we need to know which reconstruction method can improve the user experience when used in real-world content, and whether the experience differs across platforms. In this study, we investigate the effects of three different visualization methods, including two real-time reconstruction methods (3DGS and Image-to-3D) and video playback, on user recognition memory and experience on two different platforms (VR and PC). The results show that different visualization methods improve recognition memory and user experience differently and that there are differences in the effects across platforms. In addition, we investigate designers’ views on 3D object visualization techniques and discuss how they can be used in actual content creation and their scalability. The results of this study suggest that it is possible to improve user experience and recognition memory by recommending different methods depending on the visualization perspective and platform used.