Metaphorical Visualization- Using Multidimensional Metaphors to Visualize Data

Multidimensional data sets pose a number of problems for graphs, and theirvisualizations (in the form of charts, tables, graphs, or more exotic forms likeChernoff faces) generally end up complex, confusing, and difficult to read.Within the limitations of two-dimensional displays, what does it take tovisualize three, four, or more dimensions? This research examined severalmethods already in use, and using some of the principles there, explored oneapproach to solve these problems. The idea of visual metaphors was developedinto a series of layers within a CG landscape: each layer independentlydemonstrating the value of some variable conceptually related to it, butinteracting with the others to produce a cohesive whole. A functionalinstallation demonstrating the research was created and operated in realtimeto provide a metaphorical representation of the environmentalconditions within a building. This book addresses many concepts importantin the fields of intuitive or user-interface design, and data comprehension.