In our quest to reproduce reality in three dimensions (3D), researchers have proposed a variety of models. There have been a multitude of approaches, ranging from those that simply give the visual 3D effect, to projection-augmented models (PA models) that project reality, haptically augmented. This paper looks into the factors of relevance to users with regard to models that not only present a visual reproduction, but also seek to mimic the texture of objects.

It was a real pleasure to read this paper; it offers a great perspective on the state of the art, and reports on two experiments that investigate what is important, and what is not, to a user presented with a PA model, where efforts have been made to have the model feel correct to the touch. These models are not front-projected only. In the first experiment, a setup of compact disk cases that look the same but feel different is used. In the second, jelly shot glasses are used. Results show that haptic feedback is always the dominating factor.

This paper features a whimsical writing style, with scientific rigor, and presents its results in an interesting way.