Proceedings Article | 7 May 2009
KEYWORDS: Fiber optic gyroscopes, Visualization, Copper, 3D displays, Information visualization, Research management, Data modeling, 3D applications, 3D image processing, Optical spheres
The propagation of information operation technologies, with correspondingly vast amounts of complex network
information to be conveyed, significantly impacts operator workload. Information management research is rife with
efforts to develop schemes to aid operators to identify, review, organize, and retrieve the wealth of available data. Data
may take on such distinct forms as intelligence libraries, logistics databases, operational environment models, or network
topologies. Increased use of taxonomies and semantic technologies opens opportunities to employ network visualization
as a display mechanism for diverse information aggregations. The broad applicability of network visualizations is still
being tested, but in current usage, the complexity of densely populated abstract networks suggests the potential utility of
3D. Employment of 2.5D in network visualization, using classic perceptual cues, creates a 3D experience within a 2D
medium. It is anticipated that use of 3D perspective (2.5D) will enhance user ability to visually inspect large, complex,
multidimensional networks. Current research for 2.5D visualizations demonstrates that display attributes, including
color, shape, size, lighting, atmospheric effects, and shadows, significantly impact operator experience. However,
guidelines for utilization of attributes in display design are limited. This paper discusses pilot experimentation intended
to identify potential problem areas arising from these cues and determine how best to optimize perceptual cue settings.
Development of optimized design guidelines will ensure that future experiments, comparing network displays with other
visualizations, are not confounded or impeded by suboptimal attribute characterization. Current experimentation is
anticipated to support development of cost-effective, visually effective methods to implement 3D in military
applications.
