Usability Evaluation of Integrated and Separated Interfaces in an Immersive Authoring Tool based on Panoramic Videos

Immersive authoring tools have emerged as key enablers for trainers-designers to create Virtual Reality Learning Systems (VRLS) without requiring extensive programming skills. However, the design of such tools presents significant challenges in terms of interaction, usability, and interface complexity. These challenges underscore the need to validate an appropriate design interface to ensure these tools can be effectively utilized by non-technical users. This study evaluates the usability of an immersive authoring tool for VRLS using interactive panoramic videos. Two types of interfaces were compared: one that integrates storyboarding and rendering visualization, and one that separates these functionalities. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected from 24 participants divided into two groups. The results indicated that the separated interface was more effective, efficient, and satisfactory, particularly for more complex scenarios. Moreover, the integrated interface led to more pronounced symptoms of cybersickness while motivation levels did not differ significantly between the two groups. These findings highlight that integrating all functionalities into a single interface may not always be the best approach, especially for complex tasks, as it can lead to decreased usability and increased physical discomfort.