Teaching:TUW - UE InfoVis WS 2006/07 - Gruppe 08 - Aufgabe 1 - Bifocal Display: Difference between revisions
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== Definition == | == Definition == | ||
'''Bifocal display''' is a visualisation technique whose goal is to represent the current region of interest in a detailed view while keeping the context visible in a schematic but recognisable way. [Apperley et al., 1982] | |||
== Context == | == Context == | ||
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== Usage == | == Usage == | ||
[[Image:Fisheye_grid.gif|frame|left||Scheme of applying a | [[Image:Fisheye_grid.gif|frame|left||Scheme of applying a fisheye view]] | ||
The original concept is limited to visualization problems with one main continuous dimension. | The original concept is limited to visualization problems with one main continuous dimension. | ||
If we add a second dimension we get the concept of | If we add a second dimension we get the concept of fisheye or magnifying glass (see image). | ||
Both are | Both are applicable only in situations with continuous dimensions. | ||
This is already reflected in [Apperley et al., 1982]: | This is already reflected in [Apperley et al., 1982]: | ||
Instead of simply compressing the context visually it could prove useful to choose a different representation for the | Instead of simply compressing the context visually it could prove useful to choose a different representation for the peripheral viewports than is used for the central viewport. | ||
In many situations the context is best displayed by some sort of graph, the most common example being the filesystem | In many situations the context is best displayed by some sort of graph, the most common example being the filesystem tree. | ||
[[Image:Chart timewall3.jpg|frame|right||TimeWall(TM) by Inxight Software, Inc.(TM) - Employment of the metaphor of continuous ribbon in a commercial application]] | [[Image:Chart timewall3.jpg|frame|right||TimeWall(TM) by Inxight Software, Inc.(TM) - Employment of the metaphor of continuous ribbon in a commercial application]] | ||
Depending on how broad the | Depending on how broad the metaphor of bifocal display is understood, one can see all types of applications with some sort of ''navigation'' and ''detail'' pane as applying the visualisation strategy of ''bifocal display''. | ||
Following the various techniques are summarized: | Following the various techniques are summarized: | ||
* '''continuous ribbon''' - "the original" but only applicable for timelines or similar one-dimensional visualisation problems. | * '''continuous ribbon''' - "the original" but only applicable for timelines or similar one-dimensional visualisation problems. | ||
* '''fisheye view / magnyfing glass''' - very useful for viewing maps or plans | * '''fisheye view / magnyfing glass''' - very useful for viewing maps or plans | ||
* '''tree + detail''' - probably the most | * '''tree + detail''' - probably the most widespread technique (email client, filesystem browser, etc) | ||
* '''graph + detail''' - eg modeling tools which provide interactive viewports with zoomable views of a graph allowing to simply access the detailed information of its nodes or edges. | * '''graph + detail''' - eg modeling tools which provide interactive viewports with zoomable views of a graph allowing to simply access the detailed information of its nodes or edges. | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
*[Spence, 2006] Bob Spence, The Acquisition of Insight. Accessed at: Oct 29, 2006, http://www.ee.ic.ac.uk/research/information/www/Bobs.html#Context | *[Spence, 2006] Bob Spence, The Acquisition of Insight. Accessed at: Oct 29, 2006, http://www.ee.ic.ac.uk/research/information/www/Bobs.html#Context | ||
*[Apperley et al., 1982] M.D. Apperley, I. Tzavaras, R. Spence. | *[Apperley et al., 1982] M.D. Apperley, I. Tzavaras, R. Spence. A bifocal display technique for data presentation. ''Eurographics '82'', p. 27. Abstract: http://diglib.eg.org/EG/DL/Conf/EG82/papers/EUROGRAPHICS_82pp027-043.pdf.abstract.pdf | ||
'''Current Applications''' - bifocal display in practice: | '''Current Applications''' - bifocal display in practice: | ||
*[Inxight, 2006] Inxight VizServer - corporate website, product section. Accessed at: Oct 30, 2006. http://www.inxight.com/products/vizserver/ | *[Inxight, 2006] Inxight VizServer - corporate website, product section. Accessed at: Oct 30, 2006. http://www.inxight.com/products/vizserver/ | ||
*[Brain, 2006] TheBrainEKP: Enterprise Knowledge Platform - corporate website, product section. Accessed at: Oct 30, 2006. | *[Brain, 2006] TheBrainEKP: Enterprise Knowledge Platform - corporate website, product section. Accessed at: Oct 30, 2006. http://www.thebrain.com/Overview/default.html | ||
http://www.thebrain.com/Overview/default.html |
Latest revision as of 19:59, 26 May 2009
Definition[edit]
Bifocal display is a visualisation technique whose goal is to represent the current region of interest in a detailed view while keeping the context visible in a schematic but recognisable way. [Apperley et al., 1982]
Context[edit]
The desire to present all the relevant information within its context usually results in an extremely cluttered and confusing display. If only the current region of interest is displayed, one has to arrange for a mechanism to quickly switch to relevant information before and after the region of interest. Even so, much of the surrounding context is lost as it's not as easily accessible. [Spence, 2006] This is known as the "focus+context" problem.
Original concept[edit]
To address this problem, Spence and Apperley proposed their bifocal display:
A bifocal display can be thought of as a continuous ribbon of data that is displayed on three seperate viewports or monitors (see image). The centre viewport is used to display the current region of interest while the left and right viewports are used to display the preceding and succeeding context respectively. The region of interest is displayed in great detail while the context in compressed, so as to allow one to identify objects at a cursory glance.
Most importantly, it should be easily possible to "scroll" backwards and forwards, replacing the current region of interest with content from its surrounding context, thus expanding the newly focused region of interest and relegating the former region of interest to its place in the compressed context. [Spence, 2006]
Usage[edit]
The original concept is limited to visualization problems with one main continuous dimension. If we add a second dimension we get the concept of fisheye or magnifying glass (see image). Both are applicable only in situations with continuous dimensions. This is already reflected in [Apperley et al., 1982]:
Instead of simply compressing the context visually it could prove useful to choose a different representation for the peripheral viewports than is used for the central viewport.
In many situations the context is best displayed by some sort of graph, the most common example being the filesystem tree.
Depending on how broad the metaphor of bifocal display is understood, one can see all types of applications with some sort of navigation and detail pane as applying the visualisation strategy of bifocal display.
Following the various techniques are summarized:
- continuous ribbon - "the original" but only applicable for timelines or similar one-dimensional visualisation problems.
- fisheye view / magnyfing glass - very useful for viewing maps or plans
- tree + detail - probably the most widespread technique (email client, filesystem browser, etc)
- graph + detail - eg modeling tools which provide interactive viewports with zoomable views of a graph allowing to simply access the detailed information of its nodes or edges.
References[edit]
- [Spence, 2006] Bob Spence, The Acquisition of Insight. Accessed at: Oct 29, 2006, http://www.ee.ic.ac.uk/research/information/www/Bobs.html#Context
- [Apperley et al., 1982] M.D. Apperley, I. Tzavaras, R. Spence. A bifocal display technique for data presentation. Eurographics '82, p. 27. Abstract: http://diglib.eg.org/EG/DL/Conf/EG82/papers/EUROGRAPHICS_82pp027-043.pdf.abstract.pdf
Current Applications - bifocal display in practice:
- [Inxight, 2006] Inxight VizServer - corporate website, product section. Accessed at: Oct 30, 2006. http://www.inxight.com/products/vizserver/
- [Brain, 2006] TheBrainEKP: Enterprise Knowledge Platform - corporate website, product section. Accessed at: Oct 30, 2006. http://www.thebrain.com/Overview/default.html