IEEE Trans Vis Comput Graph. 2013 Nov;19(11):1846-58. doi: 10.1109/TVCG.2013.76.

KelpFusion: a hybrid set visualization technique.

IEEE transactions on visualization and computer graphics

Wouter Meulemans, Nathalie Henry Riche, Bettina Speckmann, Basak Alper, Tim Dwyer

PMID: 24029905 DOI: 10.1109/TVCG.2013.76

Abstract

We present KelpFusion: a method for depicting set membership of items on a map or other visualization using continuous boundaries. KelpFusion is a hybrid representation that bridges hull techniques such as Bubble Sets and Euler diagrams and line- and graph-based techniques such as LineSets and Kelp Diagrams. We describe an algorithm based on shortest-path graphs to compute KelpFusion visualizations. Based on a single parameter, the shortest-path graph varies from the minimal spanning tree to the convex hull of a point set. Shortest-path graphs aim to capture the shape of a point set and smoothly adapt to sets of varying densities. KelpFusion fills enclosed faces based on a set of simple legibility rules. We present the results of a controlled experiment comparing KelpFusion to Bubble Sets and LineSets. We conclude that KelpFusion outperforms Bubble Sets both in accuracy and completion time and outperforms LineSets in completion time.

Publication Types

• Journal Article
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't