CDS 301 Fall, 2009 Scientific Information and Data Visualization Introduction Sep. 1, 2009 Jie Zhang Copyright ©

Visualization A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words Cave Painting

Visualization is a cognitive process performed by humans in forming a mental image of a domain space Visualization Human Cognition

Visualization is a visual representation of a domain space using graphics, images, animated sequences, and sound augmentation to present data, structure, and dynamic behavior of large, complex data set that represent systems, events, processes, objects, and concepts [Williams et al. 1995] Visualization At Information Age

For Sciences Effective communication Provide scientific insights Make scientific discoveries

Simulation of Galaxy Interaction Title 20

Space Weather: the Process It starts from an eruption from the Sun. Prediction depends on how it propagates

Space Weather: the Systems

Space Weather: effects On Communication and Navigation

Stereoscopic Visualization

Interactive Visualization

Info Canvas

How? A Pipeline 1.Data Acquisition 2.Filtering 3.Mapping 4.Rendering –Two kinds of Visualization 1.Data visualization (scivis) 2.Information visualization (infovis)

Text Book Required: “Data Visualization: Principles and Practice” by Alexandru C. Telea, 2008 Supplement (not required): 1.“Information Visualization: Perception for Design” By Colin Ware, 2004

Content Introduction (Ch 1) From Graphics to Visualization (Ch 2) Data Presentation (Ch 3) Visualization Pipeline (Ch 4) Scalar Visualization (Ch 5) Vector Visualization (Ch 6) Tensor Visualization (Ch 7) Domain-Modeling Techniques (Ch 8) Image Visualization (Ch 9) Volume Visualization (Ch 10) Information Visualization (Ch 11)

Scalar Visualization Height plot and Isolines (P143)

Vector Visualization Stream Tubes (P189)

Domain Modeling Scattered Point Cloud and Surface Reconstruction (P259)

Volume Visualization Color and Opacity Transfer Function (P. 368)

Information Visualization Cone-tree Layout of File Hierarchy (P. 403)

Projects Three small projects –2-D height plot in C++ and IDL –3-D Bessel function and flux rope –Your choice One comprehensive project: visualize flow fields from numerical simulation, or by your own choice Programming –C/C++ –OpenGL –IDL (Interactive Data Language) –Matlab, Mathematica, Maple

Assignment and Grade Homework (20%) –5 - 7 homework Projects (35%) Exams –One mid-term (20%) –one final (25%)

Contact Office Hour: 2:00 – 3:30 PM, Tuesday or by appointment Class URL: