Distinct 3D Glyphs with Data Layering for Highly Dense Multivariate Data Plots
This addresses the problem of visual mining and understanding large multivariate datasets for users in fields such as high energy physics and security, representing an incremental improvement in visualization techniques.
The paper tackles the challenge of visualizing highly dense multivariate data by introducing a glyph design paradigm based on distinct shapes and data layering, resulting in clear and readable plots that can display over 6 variables in areas like high energy physics and security.
A carefully constructed scatterplot can reveal plenty about an underlying data set. However, in most cases visually mining and understanding a large multivariate data set requires more finesse, and greater level of interactivity to really grasp the full spectrum of the information being presented. We present a paradigm for glyph design and use in the creation of single plots presenting multiple variables of information. We center our design on two key concepts. The first concept is that visually it is easier to discriminate between completely distinct shapes rather than subtly different ones, specially when partially occluded. The second one is that users ingest information in layers, i.e. in an order of visual relevance. Using this paradigm, we present complex data as binned into desired and relevant discrete categories. We show results in the areas of high energy physics and security, displaying over 6 distinct data variables in each single plot, yielding a clear, highly readable, and effective visualization.