Cuttlefish: Color Mapping for Dynamic Multi‐Scale Visualizations. (26th March 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Waldin, N.; Waldner, M.; Le Muzic, M.; Gröller, E.; Goodsell, D. S.; Autin, L.; Olson, A. J.; Viola, I.
• Is Part Of: Computer graphics forum. Volume 38:Number 6(2019)
• Page Start: 150
• Page End: 164
• Publication Date: 2019-03-26
• Subjects: multiscale visualization -- illustrative visualization -- molecular visualization -- I.3.3 [Computer Graphics]: Picture/Image Generation -- I.3.7 [Computer Graphics]: Three‐dimensional Graphics and Realism; Color, Shading, Shadowing, and Texture; Computer graphics -- Periodicals; 006.605
• DOI: 10.1111/cgf.13611
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0167-7055

Abstract

Abstract: Visualizations of hierarchical data can often be explored interactively. For example, in geographic visualization, there are continents, which can be subdivided into countries, states, counties and cities. Similarly, in models of viruses or bacteria at the highest level are the compartments, and below that are macromolecules, secondary structures (such as α‐helices), amino‐acids, and on the finest level atoms. Distinguishing between items can be assisted through the use of color at all levels. However, currently, there are no hierarchical and adaptive color mapping techniques for very large multi‐scale visualizations that can be explored interactively. We present a novel, multi‐scale, color‐mapping technique for adaptively adjusting the color scheme to the current view and scale. Color is treated as a resource and is smoothly redistributed. The distribution adjusts to the scale of the currently observed detail and maximizes the color range utilization given current viewing requirements. Thus, we ensure that the user is able to distinguish items on any level, even if the color is not constant for a particular feature. The coloring technique is demonstrated for a political map and a mesoscale structural model of HIV. The technique has been tested by users with expertise in structural biology and was overall well received. Abstract : Visualizations of hierarchical data can often be explored interactively. For example, in geographic visualization, there are continents, which can be subdivided into countries, states, counties and cities. Similarly, in models of viruses or bacteria at the highest level are the compartments, and below that are macromolecules, secondary structures (such as α‐helices), amino‐acids, and on the finest level atoms. Distinguishing between items can be assisted through the use of color at all levels. However, currently, there are no hierarchical and adaptive color mapping techniques for very large multi‐scale visualizations that can be explored interactively. We present a novel, multi‐scale, color‐mapping technique for adaptively adjusting the color scheme to the current view and scale. Color is treated as a resource and is smoothly redistributed. The distribution adjusts to the scale of the currently observed detail and maximizes the color range utilization given current viewing requirements. Thus, we ensure that the user is able to distinguish items on any level, even if the color is not constant for a particular feature. The coloring technique is demonstrated for a political map and a mesoscale structural model of HIV. The technique has been tested by users with expertise in structural biology and was overall well received.