Visualization (graphics)

Visualization of how a car deforms in an asymmetrical crash using finite element analysis.

Visualization is any technique for creating images, diagrams, or animations to communicate a message. Visualization through visual imagery has been an effective way to communicate both abstract and concrete ideas since the dawn of man.

Examples from history include cave painting, hieroglyphs, Greek geometry, and Leonardo da Vinci's revolutionary methods of technical drawing for engineering and scientific purposes.

Visualization today has ever-expanding applications in science, engineering Product visualization, all forms of education , interactive multimedia, medicine etc. Typical of most applications of visualization these days is the extensive use of computer graphics. The invention of computer graphics may be the most important development for the visualization field since the invention of central perspective in the Renaissance. The development of animation also helped advance the field of visualization.

Information visualization

Main article: Information visualization

As a subject in computer science, information visualization is the use of interactive, sensory representations, typically visual, of abstract data to reinforce cognition.

Information visualization is a complex research area. It builds on theory in information design, computer graphics, human-computer interaction and cognitive science.

Practical application of information visualization in computer programs involves selecting, transforming and representing abstract data in a form that facilitates human interaction for exploration and understanding.

Important aspects of information visualization are the interactivity and dynamics of the visual representation. Strong techniques enable the user to modify the visualization in real-time, thus affording unparalleled perception of patterns and structural relations in the abstract data in question.

Knowledge visualization

Main article: Knowledge visualization

Knowledge visualization - "the use of visual representations to transfer knowledge between at least two persons" (Burkhard and Meier, 2004), aims to improve the transfer of knowledge by using computer and non-computerbased visualization methods complementary.

Examples of such visual formats are sketches, diagrams, images, objects, interactive visualizations, information visualization applications, imaginary visualizations, stories.

While information visualization (IV) concentrates on the use of computer-supported tools to derive new insights, knowledge visualization (KV) focuses to transfer insights and to create new knowledge in groups. Beyond the mere transfer of facts, knowledge visualization aims to further transfer insights, experiences, attitudes, values, expectations, perspectives, opinions, and predictions by using various complementary visualizations.

Knowledge Visualization has it's roots in Visual Communication, Communication Sciences, Visual Perception and Knowledge Management, where it is a key-issue to make knowledge visible so that it can be better identified, accessed, shared, discussed, applied, or generally be managed.

Visual communication

Main article: Visual communication

Visual communication is the communication of ideas through the visual display of information. Primarily associated with two dimensional images, it includes: alphanumerics, art, signs, and electronic resources. Recent research in the field has focused on web design and graphically oriented usability.

See also

• Rendering (computer graphics)
• Scientific visualization
• Information visualization
• Graph drawing

External links

• Graphic Organizers Index