Numerical Flow Visualization in a Functional Style

摘要

Most visualization tools support the creation of polygonal models which represent a portion of the raw data. These tools support only a limited set of ad hoc models, and the creation of new models requires the writing of additional software. We suggest a new approach which treats all model types as functional mappings of data points. This approach simplifies the implementation of traditional models and encourages the development of new models. We adopt a method loosely based on functional programming. The numerical data is mapped from one form to another, and the mapping functions themselves can be operated upon by 'meta-operators' to produce new functions. This functional style can be carried further into the realm of mapping data values onto corresponding geometric representations, which we call 'symbols.' We describe an interactive environment, currently under development, which uses a functional paradigm and discrete symbols to display fluid flow data.