Beyond Arm's Reach: Revisiting 3D Interaction Techniques for Virtual Display Management in Immersive Workspaces

Immersive technologies can transform 3D space into an extended information space. Such environments allow users to access and organize multiple information units simultaneously, thereby supporting sensemaking processes. Prior studies have observed that users in VR often arrange virtual displays, individual information units, within arm's reach, resulting in circular or spherical layouts around the body. Although immersive environments can theoretically provide unlimited information space, users' effective working areas often remain constrained by physical limitations. This work aims to explore how different 3D interaction techniques influence user performance and spatial usability during analytic tasks. We present a formal user study evaluating three interaction techniques-Simple Hand, Ray Casting, and Arm Extension-in clustering tasks. Our results show that Ray Casting and Arm Extension supported broader spatial use and reduced physical strain in virtual display management compared to Simple Hand; however, broader spatial use does not necessarily guarantee better task performance. Based on the results, we further discuss their implications for spatial management and interaction design in immersive analytics.