Intelligent visualization and dynamic manipulation: two complementary instruments to support data exploration with GIS

ABSTRACT

To analyze spatially referenced data, i.e. data referring to geographical objects or locations, one should present them on a map. IRIS is a software system that supports exploration of such data by providing two main services: 1) automated generation of maps and 2) interactive facilities to dynamically manipulate the maps. Automated mapping is enabled by incorporation of generic knowledge on map design. This prevents errors in map design resulting in useless or even misleading presentations. It also helps save users' time and efforts as compared to data visualization with the existing mapping software.Unlike paper maps, a map on the computer screen can dynamically change in response to various interactive manipulations. It is possible to design such interactive operations that will significantly promote data exploration. Within IRIS project we develop for each data presentation method a specific interactive tool that exploits the peculiarities of this method and facilitates fulfilling the analysis tasks the method is best suitable for.Currently researches in automated data visualization design and in dynamic manipulation are developed separately whereas these are two complementary instruments to support data exploration. In this paper we show how we integrate these two instruments in IRIS.

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INDEX TERMS

Keywords:
data exploration, dynamic manipulation, geographical information systems, visual interaction, visualization