A control panel is a commonplace means for controlling devices in the
physical world and also for controlling interactive computer applications.
Sparked by this metaphor, we designed the framework-- Virtual Panel
Architecture (VPA) to help implement an intermediate abstraction with
elements of both the physical panel and the computer-based panel. This
abstraction, handling 3-D point-based gesticulative interaction with modeled
object hierarchies, is suitable for both Virtual Reality environments and
traditional environments. Based on the VPA, we demonstrate an environment
of virtual panels, which can be incorporated into keyboard-and-mouse-based
computing. Users are able to turn virtual knobs, adjust virtual sliders,
and point on virtual screens on these virtual panels in this environment.
Therefore, the input interactions are not only multiplied and diversified,
but also conceived and implemented easily.