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Scalable WIM Effective Exploration in
Large-Scale Astrophysical Environments
Yinggang Li, Chi-Wing Fu, Andrew
Hanson Department of Computer Science Indiana
University Hong Kong University of Science
Technology
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Travel 13 Billion Light Year Space
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Using Miniature Map in VR

• Linearly Scaled Down World
• manipulating the point-of-view through metaphor
• Help travel/wayfinding in bounded environment.

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WIM Map for Space Traveler
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System Design Challenges

• Cover Scales and Sparsity of Universe
• Fit into Normalized Depth Buffer (Level-of-Detail)

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User Interaction Challenges

• Adaptive Speed for fast and smooth travel
• Global/ Local Context Awareness

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Key Features of Scalable WIM

• Rapid transformation of positions and vectors at
  any arbitrary scale.
• World Space Power Scaling
• Providing a consistent and hierarchical structure
  for the unbounded sparse environment.
• Power Cues, MST
• Context Knowledge for distance, scales, motion
  orientation perception
• Overview Map, Eye Space Remapping

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• Foundation developed for the mechanics of
  multi-scale visualization.
• A Transparently Scalable Visualization
  Architecture for Exploring the Universe,Chi-Wing
  Fu and Andrew J. Hanson
• Very Large Scale Visualization Methods for
  Astrophysical DataAndrew J. Hanson, Chi-Wing Fu,
  and E.A. Wernert
• Part of Solar Journey project supported in part
  by NASA grants NAG5-8163, NAG5-11999, NAG5-13558,
  and SGI

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Scalable WIM A 3D Map System
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Design and Implementation
Continuously Scaling WIM
Immersive 1st person view
3rd person view
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Power Spatial Scaling

• Power Scaled Coordinates (PSC)
• Map user control to the exponential power
• Linear adjusting current spatial scale SWIM
• Camera setting is unaffected during scaling
• Linear scaling the entire world space relative to
  the current scale SWIM

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Context Cues
Power Cube Nested and Centered
Proximity Cue Dynamic MST
Overview Map Context, Scale manipulation


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Context Cues
Nested Power Cylinder
Proximity Cue Projection
Overview Map
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Context Cues
Landmark Reference
Adaptive Reference
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Logarithmic Space Mapping
Logarithmically mapped Eye Space
LogSky
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Navigation Model

• The Select-and-Go
• Spatial Scaling
• Path-based

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Path Planning
Logarithmically mapped Eye Space
Linear Eye Space
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Summary

• User interface design principles for exploring
  sparse space of large scales.
• 3D Scalable World-In-Miniature map incorporates
  continuous spatial scaling to assist travel.
• Context cues customized for wayfinding in virtual
  astrophysical exploration.