DevLan/vispubs huggingface dataset:
XmdvTool: integrating multiple methods for visualizing multivariate data
Authors: Matthew O. Ward
Published at Vis, 1994

Much of the attention in visualization research has focussed on data rooted in physical phenomena, which is generally limited to three or four dimensions. However, many sources of data do not share this dimensional restriction. A critical problem in the analysis of such data is providing researchers with tools to gain insights into characteristics of the data, such as anomalies and patterns. Several visualization methods have been developed to address this problem, and each has its strengths and weaknesses. This paper describes a system named XmdvTool which integrates several of the most common methods for projecting multivariate data onto a two-dimensional screen. This integration allows users to explore their data in a variety of formats with ease. A view enhancement mechanism called an N-dimensional brush is also described. The brush allows users to gain insights into spatial relationships over N dimensions by highlighting data which falls within a user-specified subspace.&lt;&lt;ETX&gt;&gt;
Passive real-world interface props for neurosurgical visualization
Authors: Ken Hinckley, Randy Pausch, John C. Goble, Neal F. Kassell
Published at CHI, 1994

We claim that physical manipulation of familiar real-world objects in the user’s real environment is an important technique for the design of three-dimensional user interfaces. These real-world passive inte~ace props are manipulated by the user to specify spatial relationships between interface objects. By unobtrusively embedding free-space position and orientation trackers within the props, we enable the computer to passively observe a natural user dialog in the real world, rather than forcing the user to engage in a contrived dialog in the computer-generated world. We present neurosurgical planning as a driving application and demonstrate the utility of a head viewing prop, a cutting-plane selection prop, and a trajectory selection prop in this domain. Using passive props in this interface exploits the surgeon’s existing skills, provides direct action-task correspondence, eliminates explicit modes for separate tools, facilitates natural two-handed interaction, and provides tactile and kinesthetic feedback for the user. Our informal evaluation sessions have shown that with a cursory introduction, neurosurgeons who have never seenthe interface can understand and use it without training.
The cost-of-knowledge characteristic function: display evaluation for direct-walk dynamic information visualizations
Authors: Stuart K. Card, Peter Pirolli, Jock D. Mackinlay
Published at CHI, 1994

In this paper we present a method, the Cost-of-Knowledge Characteristic Function, for characterizing information access from dynamic displays. The paper works out this method for a simple, but important, class of dynamic displays called direct-walk interactive information visualizations, in which information is accessed through a sequence of mouse selections and key selections. The method is used to characterize a simple calendar task for an application of the Information Visualizer, to compute the changes in characterization as the result of possible program variants, and to conduct empirical comparison between different systems with the same function.
The movable filter as a user interface tool
Authors: Maureen C. Stone, Kenneth P. Fishkin, Eric A. Bier
Published at CHI, 1994

Magic Lens filters are a new user interface tool that combine an arbitrarily-shaped region with an operator that changes the view of objects viewed through that region. These tools can be interactively positioned over on-screen applications much as a magnifying glass is moved over a newspaper. They can be used to help the user understand various types of information, from text documents to scientific visualizations. Because these filters are movable and apply to only part of the screen, they have a number of advantages over traditional windowwide viewing modes: they employ an attractive metaphor based on physical lenses, show a modified view in the context of the original view, limit clutter to a small region, allow easy construction of visual macros and provide a uniform paradigm that can be extended across different types of information and applications. This paper describes these advantages in more detail and illustrates them with examples of magic lens filters in use over a variety of applications. CR
The table lens: merging graphical and symbolic representations in an interactive focus + context visualization for tabular information
Authors: Ramana Rao, Stuart K. Card
Published at CHI, 1994

We present a new visualization, called the Table Lens, for visualizing and making sense of large tables. The visualization uses a focus+context (fisheye) technique that works effectively on tabular information because it allows display of crucial label information and multiple distal focal areas. In addition, a graphical mapping scheme for depicting table contents has been developed for the most widespread kind of tables, the cases-by-variables table. The Table Lens fuses symbolic and graphical representations into a single coherent view that can be fluidly adjusted by the user. This fusion and interactivity enables an extremely rich and natural style of direct manipulation exploratory data analysis.
Using aggregation and dynamic queries for exploring large data sets
Authors: Jade Goldstein, Steven F. Roth
Published at CHI, 1994

When working with large data sets, users perform three primary types of activities: data manipulation, data analysis, and data visualization. The data manipulation process involves the selection and transformation of data prior to viewing. This paper addresses user goals for this process and the interactive interface mechanisms that support them. We consider three classes of data manipulation goals: controlling the scope (selecting the desired portion of the data), selecting the focus of attention (concentrating on the attributes of data that are relevant to current analysis), and choosing the level of detail (creating and decomposing aggregates of data). We use this classification to evaluate the functionality of existing data exploration interface techniques. Based on these results, we have expanded an interface mechanism called the Aggregate Manipulator (AM) and combined it with Dynamic Query (DQ) to provide complete coverage of the data manipulation goals. We use real estate sales data to demonstrate how the AM and DQ synergistically function in our interface.
3D simulation of delivery
Authors: Jean-Daniel Boissonnat, Bernhard Geiger
Published at Vis, 1993

We show how to create 3D models of maternal pelvis and fetal head from magnetic resonance images (MRI). The models are used to simulate the progress of delivery in order to give a prognosis of successful labor.&lt;&lt;ETX&gt;&gt;
A climate simulation case study
Authors: P. C. Chen
Published at Vis, 1993

A supercomputing-visualization facility for science and engineering applications was used for processing and visualizing supercomputer-generated data. This facility includes a vector-processing supercomputer, a graphics workstation, a general purpose workstation, a high-resolution color printer, a scanner, a film recorder, a video tape recorder, and a video laser disc recorder. The facility is using a network system to connect computers, workstations, and graphical input/output devices. The supercomputer generates time-dependent multivariate data using a global climate simulation model. Visualization software systems are used for visualizing these model-produced data. Visualization techniques including: iso-contouring, iso-surface generation, vectors and streamlines generation are used.&lt;&lt;ETX&gt;&gt;
A probe for local flow field visualization
Authors: Wim C. de Leeuw, Jarke J. van Wijk
Published at Vis, 1993

A probe for the interactive visualization of flow fields is presented. The probe can be used to visualize many characteristics of the flow in detail for a small region in the data set. The velocity and the local change of velocity (the velocity gradient tensor) are visualized by a set of geometric primitives. To this end, the velocity gradient tensor is transformed to a local coordinate frame, and decomposed into components parallel with and perpendicular to the flow. These components are visualized as geometric objects with an intuitively meaningful interpretation. An implementation is presented which shows that this probe is a useful tool for flow visualization.&lt;&lt;ETX&gt;&gt;
Accelerating volume animation by space-leaping
Authors: Roni Yagel, Zhouhong Shi
Published at Vis, 1993

In this work we present a method for speeding the process of volume animation. It exploits coherency between consecutive images to shorten the path rays take through the volume. Rays are provided with the information needed to leap over the empty space and commence volume traversal at the vicinity of meaningful data. The algorithm starts by projecting the volume onto a C-buffer (coordinates-buffer) which stores the object-space coordinates of the first non-empty voxel visible from a pixel. Following a change in the viewing parameters, the C-buffer is transformed accordingly. Next, coordinates that possibly became hidden are discarded. The remaining values serve as an estimate of the point where the new rays should start their volume traversal. This method does not require 3-D preprocessing and does not suffer from any image degradation. It can be combined with existing acceleration techniques and can support any ray traversal algorithm and material modeling scheme.&lt;&lt;ETX&gt;&gt;
An architecture for rule-based visualization
Authors: Bernice E. Rogowitz, Lloyd Treinish
Published at Vis, 1993

In Rogowitz and Treinish (1993), we introduced an architecture for incorporating perceptual rules into the visualization process. In this architecture, higher-level descriptors of the data, metadata, flow to perceptual rules, which constrain visualization operations. In this paper, we develop a deeper analysis of the rules, the prerequisite metadata, and the system for enabling their operation.&lt;&lt;ETX&gt;&gt;
An environment for telecollaborative data exploration
Authors: Gudrun Klinker
Published at Vis, 1993

This paper presents an environment for telecollaborative data exploration. It provides the following capabilities essential to data exploration: (1) users can probe the data, defining regions of interest with arbitrary shapes. (2) The selected data can be transformed and displayed in many different ways. (3) Linked cursors can be established between several windows showing data sets with arbitrary relationships. (4) Data can be displayed on any screen across a computer network, allowing for telecollaboration arrangements with linked cursors around the world. (5) Our system is user-extensible, allowing programmers to change any component of it while keeping the remaining functionality. We demonstrate how the system can be used in several applications, such as biomedical imaging, robotics, and wood classification.&lt;&lt;ETX&gt;&gt;
Applying observations of work activity in designing prototype data analysis tools
Authors: R. R. Springmeyer
Published at Vis, 1993

Designers, implementers, and marketers of data analysis tools typically have different perspectives than end users. Consequently, data analysts often find themselves using tools focused on graphics and programming concepts rather than concepts which reflect their own domain and the context of their work. Some user studies focus on usability tests late in development; others observe work activity, but fail to show how to apply that knowledge in design. This paper describes a methodology for applying observations of data analysis work activity in prototype tool design. The approach can be used both in designing improved data analysis tools, and customizing visualization environments to specific applications. We present an example of user-centered design for a prototype tool to cull large data sets. We revisit the typical graphical approach of animating a large data set from the point of view of an analyst who is culling data. Field evaluations using the prototype tool not only revealed valuable usability information, but initiated in-depth discussions about user's work, tools, technology, and requirements.&lt;&lt;ETX&gt;&gt;
Bridging the gap between visualization and data management: A simple visualization management system
Authors: Peter Kochevar, Zahid Ahmed, J. Shade, Colin Sharp
Published at Vis, 1993

A prototype visualization management system is described which merges the capabilities of a database management system with any number of existing visualization packages such as AVS or IDL. The prototype uses the Postgres database management system to store and access Earth science data through a simple graphical browser. Data located in the database is visualized by automatically invoking a desired visualization package and downloading an appropriate script or program. The central idea underlying the system is that information on how to visualize a data set is stored in the database with the data set itself.&lt;&lt;ETX&gt;&gt;
Cloud tracing in convection-diffusion systems
Authors: Kwan-Liu Ma, Philip J. Smith
Published at Vis, 1993

The paper describes a highly interactive method for computer visualization of simultaneous three-dimensional vector and scalar flow fields in convection-diffusion systems. This method allows a computational fluid dynamics user to visualize the basic physical process of dispersion and mixing rather than just the vector and scalar values computed by the simulation. It is based on transforming the vector field from a traditionally Eulerian reference frame into a Lagrangian reference frame. Fluid elements are traced through the vector field for the mean path as well as the statistical dispersion of the fluid elements about the mean position by using added scalar information about the root mean square value of the vector field and its Lagrangian time scale. In this way, clouds of fluid elements are traced not just mean paths. We have used this method to visualize the simulation of an industrial incinerator to help identify mechanisms for poor mixing.&lt;&lt;ETX&gt;&gt;
Computer visualization of long genomic sequences
Authors: Dachywan Wu, James Robergé, Douglas J. Cork, Bao Gia Nguyen, Thom Grace
Published at Vis, 1993

Human beings find it difficult to analyze local and global oligonucleotide patterns in the linear primary sequences of a genome. In this paper, we present a family of iterated function systems (IFS) that can be used to generate a set of visual models of a DNA sequence. A new visualization function, the W-curve, that is derived from this IFS family is introduced. Using W-curves, a user can readily compare subsequences within a long genomic sequence - or between genomic sequences - and can visually evaluate the effect of local variations (mutations) upon the global genomic information content.&lt;&lt;ETX&gt;&gt;
Data shaders
Authors: Brian Corrie, Paul Mackerras
Published at Vis, 1993

The process of visualizing a scientific data set requires an extensive knowledge of the domain in which the data set is created. Because an in-depth knowledge of all scientific domains is not available to the creator of visualization software, a flexible and extensible visualization system is essential in providing a productive tool to the scientist. This paper presents a shading language, based on the RenderMan shading language, that extends the shading model used to render volume data sets. Data shaders, written in this shading language, give the users of a volume rendering system a means of specifying how a volume data set is to be rendered. This flexibility is useful both as a visualization tool in the scientific community and as a research tool in the visualization community.&lt;&lt;ETX&gt;&gt;
Developing modular application builders to exploit MIMD parallel
Authors: C. Thornborrow, A. J. S. Wilson, Chris Faigle
Published at Vis, 1993

Modular application builders (MABs), such as AVS and Iris Explorer are increasingly being used in the visualization community. Such systems can already place compute intensive modules on supercomputers in order to utilize their power. This paper details two major projects at EPCC which attempted to fully integrate the MAB concept with a distributed memory MIMD (DM-MIMD) environment. The work presented was driven by two goals, efficient use of the resource and case of use by programmer and end user. We present a model of MABs and describe the major problems faced, giving solutions to them through two case studies.&lt;&lt;ETX&gt;&gt;
Dichromatic color representations for complex display systems
Authors: Mark S. Peercy, Lambertus Hesselink
Published at Vis, 1993

New display technologies have begun to provide more innovative and potentially powerful methods to present information to a viewer. However, many of these techniques struggle to deliver accurate full color. In this paper, we address this difficulty by employing the dichromatic theory of color reflection, which implies that many objects can be rendered accurately using only two primaries. Complex display systems with two primaries can be produced with significantly less work than is required for the traditional three primaries. We discuss methods for selecting objects that can be rendered accurately on two-color displays, and we present our experiments with a two-color display using monochromatic primaries.&lt;&lt;ETX&gt;&gt;
DIVIDE: Distributed visual display of the execution of asynchronous, distributed algorithms on loosely-coupled parallel processors
Authors: Tom M. Morrow, Sumit Ghosh
Published at Vis, 1993

The issue of monitoring the execution of asynchronous, distributed algorithms on loosely-coupled parallel processor systems, is important for the purposes of (i) detecting inconsistencies and flaws in the algorithm, (ii) obtaining important performance parameters for the algorithm, and (iii) developing a conceptual understanding of the algorithm's behavior, for given input stimulus, through visualization. For a particular class of asynchronous distributed algorithms that may be characterized by independent and concurrent entities that execute asynchronously on multiple processors and interact with one another through explicit messages, the following reasoning applies. Information about the flow of messages and the activity of the processors may contribute significantly towards the conceptual understanding of the algorithm's behavior and the functional correctness of the implementation. The computation and subsequent display of important parameters, based upon the execution of the algorithm, is an important objective of DIVIDE. For instance, the mean and standard deviation values for the propagation delay of ATM cells between any two given Broadband-ISDN (BISDN) nodes in a simulation of BISDN network under stochastic input stimulus, as a function of time, are important clues to the degree of congestion in the Broadband-ISDN network. Although the execution of the algorithm typically generates high resolution data, often, a coarse-level visual representation of the data may be useful in facilitating the conceptual understanding of the behavior of the algorithm. DIVIDE permits a user to specify a resolution less than that of the data from the execution of the algorithm, which is then utilized to coalesce the data appropriately. Given that this process requires significant computational power, for efficiency, DIVIDE distributes the overall task of visual display into a number of user specified workstations that are configured as a loosely-coupled parallel processor. DIVIDE has been implemented on a heterogeneous network of SUN sparc 1 + , sparc 2, and 3/60 workstations and performance measurements indicate significant improvement over that of a uniprocessor-based visual display.&lt;&lt;ETX&gt;&gt;
Enhancing reality in the operating room
Authors: William E. Lorensen, Harvey E. Cline, Christopher Nafis, Ron Kikinis, David Altobelli, P. Langham Gleason
Published at Vis, 1993

Three dimensional computer models of the anatomy generated from volume acquisitions of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are useful adjuncts to 2D images. This paper describes a system that merges the computer generated 3D models with live video to enhance the surgeon's understanding of the anatomy beneath the surface. The system can be used as a planning aid before the operation and provide additional information during an operation. The application of the system to a brain operation is described.&lt;&lt;ETX&gt;&gt;
Fanal: A relational analysis and visualization package for high energy physics
Authors: H. Videau, P. Mora de Freitas
Published at Vis, 1993

The package described in this paper has been designed for analyzing the data collected in the LEP experiment ALEPH. Its main graphical feature is a deep interplay between the description of the objects manipulated and their relationships, and their graphical representation. The easy access to information through navigation between objects and its display makes possible a thorough study of the events produced by the detector. This has proved to be very powerful in numerous occasions for analyzing data and testing programs. The package provides as well statistical analysis tools and a graphic editor. It is based on the PHIGS graphics standard. It will develop towards a more elaborate usage of the data structure in particular in the geometrical representations and towards object oriented languages to overcome some heaviness linked to the use of Fortran.&lt;&lt;ETX&gt;&gt;
Fast analytical computation of Richard's smooth molecular surface
Authors: Amitabh Varshney, Frederick P. Brooks Jr.
Published at Vis, 1993

An algorithm for rapid computation of Richards's smooth molecular surface is described. The entire surface is computed analytically, triangulated, and displayed at interactive rates. The faster speeds for our program have been achieved by algorithmic improvements, paralleling the computations, and by taking advantage of the special geometrical properties of such surfaces. Our algorithm is easily parallelable and it has a time complexity of O (k log k) over n processors, where n is the number of atoms of the molecule and k is the average number of neighbors per atom.&lt;&lt;ETX&gt;&gt;
Fast volume rendering of compressed data
Authors: Paul Ning, Lambertus Hesselink
Published at Vis, 1993

Volume rendering has been proposed as a useful tool for extracting information from large datasets, where non-visual analysis alone may not be feasible. The scale of these applications implies that data management is an important issue that needs to be addressed. Most volume rendering algorithms, however, process data in raw, uncompressed form. In previous work, we introduced a compressed volume format that may be volume rendered directly with minimal impact on rendering time. In this paper, we extend these ideas to a new volume format that not only reduces storage space and transmission time, but is designed for fast volume rendering as well. The volume dataset is represented as indices into a small codebook of representative blocks. With the data structure, volume shading calculations need only be performed on the codebook and image generation is accelerated by reusing precomputed block projections.&lt;&lt;ETX&gt;&gt;
Feature extraction for oceanographic data using a 3D edge operator
Authors: R. J. Moorehead, Z. Zhu
Published at Vis, 1993

The features of greatest interest in ocean modeling in the Gulf of Mexico and along the Gulf Stream are the fronts and eddies. Resolving, modeling, and tracking these eddies over time is of great importance for climatological studies and economic advancement. In this paper we present a novel technique for automatically locating, contouring, and tracking oceanic features such as eddies and fronts. The models and resultant visualizations exhibit excellent correlation with observed data.&lt;&lt;ETX&gt;&gt;