Parametrizable cameras for 3D computational steering

We present a method for the definition of multiple views in 3D interfaces for computational steering. The method uses the concept of a point-based parametrizable camera object. This concept enables a user to create and configure multiple views on his custom 3D interface in an intuitive graphical manner. Each view can be coupled to objects present in the interface, parametrized to (simulation) data, or adjusted through direct manipulation or user defined camera controls. Although our focus is on 3D interfaces for computational steering, we think that the concept is valuable for many other 3D graphics applications as well

One view is not enough: review of and encouragement for multiple and alternative representations in 3D and immersive visualisation

The opportunities for 3D visualisations are huge. People can be immersed inside their data, interface with it in natural ways, and see it in ways that are not possible on a traditional desktop screen. Indeed, 3D visualisations, especially those that are immersed inside head-mounted displays are becoming popular. Much of this growth is driven by the availability, popularity and falling cost of head-mounted displays and other immersive technologies. However, there are also challenges. For example, data visualisation objects can be obscured, important facets missed (perhaps behind the viewer), and the interfaces may be unfamiliar. Some of these challenges are not unique to 3D immersive technologies. Indeed, developers of traditional 2D exploratory visualisation tools would use alternative views, across a multiple coordinated view (MCV) system. Coordinated view interfaces help users explore the richness of the data. For instance, an alphabetical list of people in one view shows everyone in the database, while a map view depicts where they live. Each view provides a different task or purpose. While it is possible to translate some desktop interface techniques into the 3D immersive world, it is not always clear what equivalences would be. In this paper, using several case studies, we discuss the challenges and opportunities for using multiple views in immersive visualisation. Our aim is to provide a set of concepts that will enable developers to perform critical thinking, creative thinking and push the boundaries of what is possible with 3D and immersive visualisation. In summary developers should consider how to integrate many views, techniques and presentation styles, and one view is not enough when using 3D and immersive visualisations

Rectangular Maze Construction by Combining Algorithms and Designed Graph Patterns

Rectangular digital mazes can beconstructed by algorithms automatically. However, visualaesthetics such as the shapes and structures of mazescan’t be created gracefully due to the mechaniccharacteristics of algorithms. This study proposed amethod to combine the maze generation algorithm andthe graph patterns designed by designers, in order tomake mazes can be constructed not only automaticallybut also creatively

Linking microbial communities and macrofauna functional diversity with benthic ecosystem functioning in shallow coastal sediments, with an emphasis on nitrifiers and denitrifiers

Shallow coastal habitats represent some of the most valued ecosystems supporting complex communities of benthic organisms, delivering diverse ecosystem services. Cumulative activities of the benthic fauna affect the physical and chemical conditions of their environment and determine the rate of processes and benthic ecosystem functioning in coastal areas. However, excessive human use of the coastal zone puts extensive pressure on coastal ecosystems leading to biodiversity loss and habitat destruction. Therefore, it is essential to implement Ecosystem-Based Management (EBM) to ensure the protection of coastal resources whilst increasing the efficiency of their uses. Such EBM needs to be based on solid scientific evidence, including a detailed understanding of the link between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning.Macrofaunal assemblages have been shown to impact microbial-mediated nitrogen cycling processes in marine sediments through their role in affecting the physical and chemical conditions as they affect the exchange processes across the sediment-water interface. However, how the functional traits of macro-organisms, through the interactions with micro-organisms, affect microbial-mediated ecosystem functioning is still not fully understood. This PhD thesis aims to investigate the effect of macrofauna (at the community and species level) on benthic microbial communities (total bacterial and archaeal communities and specific functional groups, nitrifiers and denitrifiers) and the N-cycle processes mediated by them (nitrification and denitrification). The nitrogen cycle is one of the most important biogeochemical cycles in ecosystems. It provides nitrogen as an important component for all living cells and for primary production. It also counteracts eutrophication in the coastal marine area; it also releases back the biologically useful nitrogen into the atmosphere by converting it into gaseous compounds in both terrestrial and marine ecosystems (Canfield et al., 2005)

Multiresolution volume visualitzacion with a texture-based octree

Although 3D texture-based volume rendering guarantees image quality almost interactively, it is difficult to maintain an interactive rate when the technique has to be exploited on large datasets. In this paper, we propose a new texture memory representation and a management policy that substitute the classical one-texel per voxel approach for a hierarchical approach. The hierarchical approach benefits nearly homogeneous regions and regions of lower interest. The proposed algorithm is based on a simple traversal of the octree representation of the volume data. Driven by a user-defined image quality, defined as a combination of data homogeneity and importance, a set of octree nodes (the cut) is selected to be rendered. The degree of accuracy applied for the representation of each one of the nodes of the cut in the texture memory is set independently according to the user-defined parameters. The variable resolution texture model obtained reduces the texture memory size and thus texture swapping, improving rendering speed.Postprint (published version

Digital imaging techniques in otolith data capture, analysis and interpretation

Otoliths or ear-stones are hard, calcium carbonate structures located within the inner ear of bony fishes. Counts of rings and measurements of seasonal growth increments from otoliths are important metrics for assessment and management of fish stocks, and the preparation and microscopic analysis of otoliths forms an essential part of the routine work undertaken by fisheries scientists worldwide. Otolith analysis is a skilled task requiring accuracy and precision, but it is laborious, time-consuming to perform, and represents a significant cost to fisheries management. In the last 2 decades, several attempts to apply ‘computer vision’ (systems that perform high-level tasks and exhibit intelligent behaviour) in otolith analysis have been reported. Although considerable progress has been made and several prototype systems developed, laboratories have been reluctant to adopt image-based computer-assisted age and growth estimation (CAAGE) systems. This paper surveys applications of CAAGE, focusing on their utility for automated ageing using images of otolith macrostructure. A cost-benefit analysis of CAAGE of cod, plaice and anchovy shows that computer vision performs relatively poorly compared with morphometric techniques. However, there is evidence that information from visual features can boost the performance of morphometric CAAGE, and further work is needed to develop effective frameworks for this integrated approach. The cost benefit of these systems might be attractive to smaller laboratories that are already using age-length keys derived from otolith morphometrics for management of smaller artisanal fisheries

Formalisation d'un environnement d'aide à l'analyse géovisuelle: Application à la sécurité et sûreté de la maritimisation de l'énergie

The maritime space is still a sensitive area due to many accidents and dangers, such as collisions or pirate attacks. In order to ensure the control of safety and security of this area, it is essential to study near real-time movement information (surveillance) or past events (analysis). Controllers and analysts are then faced to large sets of data, which must be studied with systems using maps and other visualizations. However, these tools are limited in terms of analysis capacities. Using geovisual analytics could be used to improve pattern identification, anomalies detection and knowledge discovery. However, due to the complexity of their use, most methods are still at the stage of research, and are not used yet in the operational word for studying maritime risks.In this context, we propose a geovisual analytics support system to guide users in the visualization and the analysis of maritime risks. Our research methodology is based on the formalization of use cases, of users and of several visualization methods. Ontologies and rules are used to create a knowledge-based system, to select adequate solutions for the visualization and the analysis of ships’ trajectories. Some examples for analyzing maritime risks are then presented to illustrate the use of such a system.L’espace maritime est encore aujourd’hui le contexte de nombreux accidents et dangers, comme des collisions ou des attaques pirates. Afin de garantir le contrôle de la sûreté et de la sécurité de cet espace, il est nécessaire d’étudier les données de mouvement en temps réel (surveillance) et les évènements passés (analyse). Contrôleurs et analystes sont alors confrontés à de grandes quantités de données, qui doivent être étudiées grâce à des systèmes utilisant des cartes et autres visualisations. Cependant, ces outils sont limités en termes de capacités d’analyse. L’utilisation de méthodes d’analyse géovisuelle pourrait alors faciliter la reconnaissance de motifs, la détection d’anomalies et la découverte de connaissances. Toutefois, en raison de leur complexité d’utilisation, plusieurs de ces méthodes n’ont pas dépassé le stade académique, et ne sont pas encore utilisées de manière opérationnelle dans l’étude des risques maritimes.Dans ce contexte, nous proposons un environnement d’aide à l’analyse géovisuelle, qui permet de guider l’utilisateur dans la visualisation et l’analyse d’informations pour l’étude des risques maritimes. Notre démarche de thèse se fonde sur la formalisation des cas d’utilisation, des utilisateurs et des méthodes de visualisation. Le recours à des ontologies et des règles permet de concevoir un système à base de connaissances, afin de proposer des méthodes adéquates pour la visualisation et l’analyse des trajectoires de navires. Nous illustrons cette proposition par plusieurs exemples d’analyse de risques en mer