This paper reviews aspects of low dimensional visualization methods, which are usedcurrently in aerodynamic design and how these can be extended to higher dimensions. Theshortcomings in current visualization methods are described and methods introduced whichextend other visualization methods to this application. These simplify complex ideas into asmall number of plots that the designer can understand and so use to gain insight intodesign. In general these take the form of maps which reduce the problem dimensionalityfrom 5 and 8D to just 2 dimensions. This enables screening and optimization to be performedvisually. Much of this is made possible only because the large amounts of data required forhigh dimensional design space appreciation are provided by response surface methodtechnology. A modus operandi is proposed and the possibilities for visualization as an aid tounderstanding design are illustrated via aircraft aerodynamic design. Application to asample problem that deals with a military aircraft optimization problem in 2, 5, 8 and 14dimensions is discussed.
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