Quantitative comparative evaluation of 2d vector field visualization methods (original) (raw)

Comparing 2D vector field visualization methods: A user study

2005

Abstract We present results from a user study that compared six visualization methods for two-dimensional vector data. Users performed three simple but representative tasks using visualizations from each method: 1) locating all critical points in an image, 2) identifying critical point types, and 3) advecting a particle.

Interactive Exploratory Visualization of 2D Vector Fields

Computer Graphics …, 2008

In this paper we present several techniques to interactively explore representations of 2D vector fields. Through a set of simple hand postures used on large, touch-sensitive displays, our approach allows individuals to customdesign glyphs (arrows, lines, etc.) that best reveal patterns of the underlying dataset. Interactive exploration of vector fields is facilitated through freedom of glyph placement, glyph density control, and animation. The custom glyphs can be applied individually to probe specific areas of the data but can also be applied in groups to explore larger regions of a vector field. Re-positionable sources from which glyphs-animated according to the local vector field-continue to emerge are used to examine the vector field dynamically. The combination of these techniques results in an engaging visualization with which the user can rapidly explore and analyze varying types of 2D vector fields, using a virtually infinite number of custom-designed glyphs.

An Illustrative Visualization Framework for 3D Vector Fields

Computer Graphics Forum, 2011

Figure 1: A) A direct streamline visualization of a 3D linear vector field exhibits severe visual clutter. B) A few intermediate representative streamlines generated by our approach capture the essential flow pattern. C) The final illustrative visualization using streamtapes enhances the depth cues for streamlines and succinctly conveys both directional and structural information.

Design and evaluation of multifield visualisation techniques for 2D vector fields

Proceedings of the 27th Conference on Image and Vision Computing New Zealand - IVCNZ '12, 2012

The visualisation of vector fields is essential for many applications in science, engineering and biomedicine. A large number of vector icons has been developed, but little research has been done on their effectiveness, especially when visualising multiple vector fields simultaneously. We apply research in visualisation and cognitive science to identify four classes of post-processing techniques for visualising two 2D vector fields simultaneously: blending, overlay, bump mapping, and masking. We apply these four postprocessing methods to Line Integral Convolution (LIC) textures and thus develop several novel multi-field visualisation techniques. We evaluate their effectiveness with a user study requiring participants to locate and classify singularities, and to rate each method on its effectiveness and aesthetic value. The results of the study suggest that blending is the most effective technique to combine multiple vector field visualisation textures, while masking performs worst. There is some evidence that visualisations with smooth colour changes are perceived as visually more attractive, and that aesthetics increases the perceived effectiveness of a visualisation technique.

Strategies for the visualization of multiple 2D vector fields

Computer Graphics …, 2006

T he study of coherent structures in turbulent boundary layers is an active area of research. Driven by applications including the reduction of turbulent skin-friction drag over aircraft, researchers have long been interested in developing a deeper understanding of the key physical features within turbulent flows. One application of interest is the analysis of multiple scalar and vector distributions and how the interaction of variables contributes to theories of drag and the formation of vortex packets within a turbulent boundary layer. A second application involves examining the correlation between different layers within a numerical simulation of a turbulent channel flow. The analysis of these applications can be greatly facilitated by a better understanding of the complicated interactions that occur between the vortices that make up the motion. Important research conducted in the computational physics field focuses on modeling 3D magnetohydrodynamic light supersonic jets in the context of astrophysical jets in galaxy clusters. These high-speed jets propagate distances of over 650,000 light years from their sources, transporting energy and magnetic fields to their surrounding environments. The jet magnetic field is advected along with the flow and is expected to reflect properties of the evolving velocity field. Of particular interest is the extent to which the magnetic and velocity vector fields are spatially aligned and/or orthogonal to one another and the interplay between magnetic field strength and the corresponding velocity structures.

Hands-On Analysis and Illustration: Interactive Exploratory Visualization of Vector Fields

Proceedings of the Fourteenth Annual Conference of the Advanced School for Computing and Imaging (ASCI CONFERENCE 2008, June 11–13, 2008, Het Heijderbos, Heijen, The Netherlands), 2008

Abstract: We present techniques to interactively explore representations of 2D vector fields. Through a set of simple hand postures used on large, touch-sensitive displays, our approach allows individuals to customdesign glyphs (arrows, lines, etc.) that best reveal patterns of the underlying dataset. Interactive exploration of vector fields is facilitated through freedom of glyph placement, glyph density control, and animation. The custom glyphs can be applied individually to probe specific areas of the data but can also be applied in ...

Flow Charts: Visualization of Vector Fields on Arbitrary Surfaces

IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics, 2000

We introduce a novel flow visualization method called Flow Charts, which uses a texture atlas approach for the visualization of flows defined over curved surfaces. In this scheme, the surface and its associated flow are segmented into overlapping patches, which are then parameterized and packed in the texture domain. This scheme allows accurate particle advection across multiple charts in the texture domain, providing a flexible framework that supports various flow visualization techniques. The use of surface parameterization enables flow visualization techniques requiring the global view of the surface over long time spans, such as Unsteady Flow LIC (UFLIC), particle-based Unsteady Flow Advection Convolution (UFAC), or dye advection. It also prevents visual artifacts normally associated with view-dependent methods. Represented as textures, Flow Charts can be naturally integrated into hardware accelerated flow visualization techniques for interactive performance.

Visualizing vector fields: the thick oriented stream-line algorithm (TOSL)

Computers & Graphics, 2001

The visualization of dense vector fields has important applications for scientific purposes. Beyond the standard methods, such as arrows and particle tracing, texture-based methods are able to show almost all the details of a field. This paper presents the Thick Oriented Stream-Line (TOSL) algorithm, which can show direction, orientation and local flow speed even for dense vector fields by simulating the convolution process. A practical comparison of the performances of TOSL vs. other visualizations algorithms (LIC and fastLIC) shows that the proposed algorithm can provide output textures faster than the other considered techniques. r

Streamline visualization of multiple 2D vector fields

Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation …, 2008

The analysis of data that consists of multiple vector fields can be greatly facilitated by the simultaneous visualization of the vector fields. An effective visualization must accurately reflect the key physical structures of the fields in a way that does not allow for an unintended bias toward one distribution. While there are several effective techniques to visualize a single vector field through equally-spaced streamlines, applying these techniques to individual vector fields and combining them in a single image yields undesirable artifacts. In this paper, we present strategies for the effective visualization of two vector fields through the use of streamlines.