Work

Assessing realism in virtual architecture: Neural and subjective responses to changes in level of detail

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: In this study, we investigated how neurophysiological responses and perceived realism vary across a fixed, progressive increase in architectural level of detail (LoD) in virtual environments. Using electroencephalography (EEG) and subjective survey data, we conducted a two-part experiment with five LoD levels and benchmarked each virtual scene against a single real-world reference image (RI) of the same scene and viewpoint. Results showed that perceived realism increased with LoD, but not linearly. The LoD2→LoD3 transition showed the most pronounced change in perceived realism, coinciding with the introduction of material, texture, and color cues. Across conditions, frontal alpha asymmetry (FAA)-based valence proxy indices were predominantly negative at LoD1–LoD2 and shifted toward predominantly positive values from LoD3 onward, with LoD5 maintaining positive values as semantic and contextual cues were added. EEG frequency-band analyses indicated significant neural differences, particularly in frontal and occipital regions, concentrated in earlier LoD transitions; these patterns are discussed as potentially consistent with changes in processing demands and attentional engagement. At higher LoD levels, EEG patterns showed fewer condition-dependent differences under the present analysis. Correlations between EEG-based valence/arousal proxies and subjective realism ratings were weak, suggesting a temporal and cognitive gap between immediate neurophysiological responses and subsequent evaluations of realism. Overall, these findings indicate that progressive LoD cue-bundle additions within the fixed presentation sequence were associated with improved visual fidelity and systematic shifts in EEG response patterns and perceived realism. These findings may support efficient level-of-detail management and user-centered visualization design in architecture, extended reality environments, and digital twin urban simulations.

Source: Brain and Environment

DOI: 10.1016/j.braen.2026.100019

Authors: Uemee Jung, Kyujin Choi, Soyeong Kim, Jongho Lee, Dongwook Sohn

Institutions: Yonsei University, Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology

Language: English

Topic: Virtual Reality Applications and Impacts

Subfield: Human-Computer Interaction

Field: Computer Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,000

Funders: Korea Institute of Construction Technology, Ministry of Science and ICT, South Korea