tmra 20061 topimaker – an implementation of a novel topic maps visualization david de weerdt rani...
TRANSCRIPT
TMRA 2006
1
TopiMaker – An Implementation of a Novel Topic Maps
Visualization
David De WeerdtRani PinchukRichard AkedJuan-Jose de OrusBernard Fontaine
TMRA 2006
2
OutlineOutline
(1) What is TopiMaker?
(2) Visualization requirements
(3) 2D in 3D world
(4) Viewport, controls and camera movement
(5) Ghosts as proxies
(6) Exploiting the third dimension
(7) Manipulating the Topic Map
(8) Coping with information overload
(9) Conclusion & future work
TMRA 2006
3
What is TopiMaker?
●Topic Map editor and viewer
●Developed by Space Applications Services
●Part of TopiWriter
●Alpha stage
TMRA 2006
4
Visualization requirements
● Variable level of detail● Clustering of semantically close topics● Highlighting of important parts● Pleasant look● Minimal change in the representation after Topic Map modification
Representation requirements
Navigation requirements● Information should be accessible, explorable, searchable quickly and
intuitively● Information overload or hidden information should be avoided● For both novice and knowledgeable users
TMRA 2006
5
Visualization requirements (2)
F
H B
DE
P
NA
G
L
R
C
K
M
Q
I
O
J
Original
F
H B
DE
P
NA
G
L
R
C
K
M
Q
I
O
J
Hide non-relevant parts
F
H B
DE
P
N
G
L
R
C
K
M
Q
I
O
J
F
H B
DE
P
NA
G
L
R
C
K
M
Q
I
O
J
Highlight relevant parts
B
A
F
H
DE
P
NA G
L
R
C
K
M
Q
I
O
J
Reorder
B
A
F
H
DE
P
NA G
L
R
C
K
M
Q
I
O
J
Reorder and highlight
TMRA 2006
6
2D plane in 3D worldNo 3D cloud:
● 3D cloud makes occlusion more likely
● Viewed from a distance, difference is small
● Degrees of freedom may obstruct construction of mental image
● Third dimension can be used for something else
TMRA 2006
7
2D plane in 3D world (2)
Placing the topics on the 2D plane, issues:
● Avoid overlapping topics
● Avoid crossing associations
● Maintain aesthetic properties such as symmetry and uniform distribution
● Speed
● Less relevant in TopiMaker though
● What happens when topics/associations are added or deleted?
TMRA 2006
8
2D plane in 3D world (3)
The placement algorithm:
● Based on force-directed placement method
● Topics (nodes) are placed on a grid● No repulsive force between every pair of
topics needs to be calculated
● Improvements:● Non-random initial placement● Variable goal association lengths● Ending the algorithm with a few more
iterations with smaller grid width
minD
minD
TMRA 2006
9
The viewport, its controls and camera movements
Moving
Rotating
Zooming
Automatic camera
Selecting
Duplicating views
A BA B
TMRA 2006
10
Ghosts● Surrogate topics
● Visually distinct
● Behave equally
● Optionally accompanied by table with neighbors
TMRA 2006
11
Exploiting the Third Dimension
● Bottom plane
● Top plane● Middle plane
● Navigational aid
TMRA 2006
12
Manipulating the Topic Map
● Adding/deleting topics or associations does not change layout
● New topics are placed in the center
● Layout can be changed manually (dragging)
● Layout can be recalculated completely
TMRA 2006
13
Coping with information overload● Do not draw superfluous data● Tree-like associations can be drawn differently
forearm
Upperlimb
...
thumb
elbow
...
hand
palm ...
part
- who
le
forearm
Upperlimb
...
thumb
elbow
...
hand
palm ...
part
- who
le
Upper body
body
forearm
Upperlimb
...
thumb
elbow
...
hand
palm ...
part
- who
le Upper body
body
Lower body
chest ...
...
...
●Clarifies hierarchical associations
●Lightens the main view
●Other possibilities
● Risk for overload
TMRA 2006
14
Coping with information overload (2)
TMRA 2006
15
Conclusion & future work
● Balance between representation quality and navigability
● Additional planes to highlight second (and third...) degree neighbors
● Zooming close → more topic info
topicOccurrence1Occurrence2Occurrence3
Basename1Basename2Basename3
Parent1Parent2Parent3Type1
SubjectID1SubjectID2
TMRA 2006
16
Questions?
TMRA 2006
17
Thank you for your attention