Pontificia Universidad Javeriana

Course Introduction

Scientific Visualization
Scientific Visualization : Reminder
• Groups of 4 people
• Each class divided as :
• Daily subject (1h00)
• Daily Workshop presentation with Q&A (0h20)
• Workshop development (1h40)
• Delivery to be done prior to next class

• Deliverables
• Code + Compilation scripts
• Data sources
• Sent via email : All group member on CC always
Scientific Visualization : Reminder

Producing graphical representations of scientific phenomena as a means of gaining

understanding and insights into the data.
• From raw, scientific data to images
• External aid to improve scientists’ interpretations of large data sets
• Insights that may be overlooked by statistical methods alone.
Scientific Visualization :
Reminder
Data representation VS Experiences
“The purpose of computing is insight, not
numbers”

Richard Hamming

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Scientific Visualization : Reminder

• External aid to improve interpretations of large data sets

• Insights that may be overlooked by statistical methods alone
• clear and intuitive approach to processing big data analytic
• Enhances
• Understanding
• Exploration

• decision-making
• Uses familiar visual metaphors
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Scientific Visualization : Intended for people

• Immersed into 3D worlds

• Sensorial systems 3D/4D
• Different Skillsets
• Different limitations
• Different Contexts
• Deafferent access to data

• Measurable by different types of data

• Different Needs for
• Qualification
• Quantifications
Scientific Visualization:
Origins
• What Was first ?
• The Egg

• The Chicken
• What Was first ?
• Visualization
• Computing
Florence Nightingale (1854-1856)

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Scientific Visualization : An image is Worth a …
12

10

Empresa 1
6
Empresa 2
Empresa 3

0
1995
• How many dimensions are present1996 1997
in the above image ? 1998
Scientific Visualization : An VS image must warrantee

• Objectivity
• Clarity
• Cognitive overload
• Evidences
Scientific Visualization : Where to Start ?

• Understanding the Problem

• Identify the Demographics (To whom)
• Identify best environment to represent Info
• Do NOT overkill the solution (less is more)
• Objective Representation ALWAYS
• Avoid ambiguities !!!!

• Due to Human sight

Scientific Visualization : To
Consider
• Human perception
• Understand how the human vision works
• For and individual
• For a group
• Data Types
• Scale

• Direction
• Measurement (Direct, Indirect )
• Tools
Scientific Visualization : Gestalt Principles

• Principles/laws of human perception

Devised in the 1920s by German psychologists Max Wertheimer, Kurt Koffka and Wolfgang
Kohler—who aimed to understand how humans typically gain meaningful perceptions from the
chaotic stimuli around them.
• Describe how humans group similar elements
• Recognize patterns
• Simplify complex images
• Perceive as objects
Emergence

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Completion

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MULTI-STABILITY
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invariance
Scientific Visualization : Prägnanz Principles

Tendencies to order experiences

• Regularly , Orderly , With Symmetry à Simple !!
Human Perception laws
• Cerramiento (Completación)
• Similaridad (Emergencia)
• Proximidad (Emergencia, completación)

• Simetría (Multiestabilidad)
• Continuidad (Emergencia, completación)
• Ley del destino común (Invarianza)
Scientific Visualization : Data Types

• Natural numbers
• Reals
• Complex
• Categories
• Data Structure
• Class

“The purpose of computing is insight, not numbers”

Scientific Visualization : Data Types

• Nominal : numbers/String/Color that are used for identifications

• Cardinal : numbers are the numbers that are used for counting
• Discrete : finite, numeric, countable
• Continuous : Changes over time, infinitive values in a range

Nominal Cardinal

Discrete

Continuous
Nominals

http://www.all4ed.org/publication_material/straight_as/11152010
cardinals

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Discrete

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Continuous

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Scientific Visualization : Space Considerations

• Relative Size
• Relative Position
• Visual Aids
• Scale
 Space
Interpretations Aids

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Space – Perspective

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Space – Perspective
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Color Vs Gray scales ?
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 • Intrinsic Data (Fast Cheap)
Scientific Visualization : • Dimensions > 3
Colour
• Easy Interpretation
 In groups of 4:
Generate a 3D map from a 2D grayscale Image ( discrete iso surface )
Use the gray scalar value to determine the elevation (Height map)
Map the elevation value to a color using a lookup Table
Scientific Generate a 3D surface and show the points only (Gestalt)
Visualization
•

1) compile the sample code using CMake

workshop 2
•

• 2) Modify sample code

• 3) Code should compile in Linux
• 4) Send via email with all members on CC