Integrating Spatial and Nonspatial Data: A Challenge in Computational Visualistics

Abstract

Our book has dealt with selected aspects of what we call computer visualization. Indeed, we use the term Computational Visualistics¹ for the scientific study of how visualizations are captured, stored, processed, produced, and conveyed to users, as well as how computer users interact with, perceive, understand, and store pictures. The characteristic aspect of computational visualistics is that we always consider algorithms running within the computer in unison with what the user will do with the resultant graphical output. We have dealt with only one specific aspect of the topic of computational visualistics, that of producing and interacting with images of a particular kind. In this chapter, we shall now take a fresh look at the technical results presented, strive for an insight into what is actually happening when producing such images, and work toward placing the results into a wider context. In doing so, we shall also suggest some new concepts and terminology which will guide future work in the area.