TrailTag: Enhancing the Selection of Moving Targets in Virtual Reality Environments Combining the Comet and Tag Mechanisms
Huaizhou Chang, Minghui Sun, Jun Qin, Junhao Wei, Limin Wang · International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction · 2025
Raycasting is a common technique for selecting targets in virtual reality, yet selecting small, distant moving targets remains a challenge. Inspired by the comet mechanism, we propose TrailTag, which enhances selection by adding a Trail to each target, dynamically adjusting its activation area based on speed and size. Additionally, a static Tag is attached, allowing selection via either the Trail or Tag depending on the scenario. We define the design criteria for both the Trail and Tag, implement visual feedback, and determine the optimal trail width through experiments. Comparative studies with various 3D selection techniques show that TrailTag reduces selection time by 59% and error rate by 62% compared to traditional Raycasting, significantly improving user experience. Finally, we discuss potential optimizations and explore broader applications of TrailTag in dynamic environments.