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Tuomas J. Lukka, Janne V. Kujala and Marketta Niemelä |
Tuomas J. Lukka, Janne V. Kujala and Marketta Niemelä |
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[ We've left out the official references since they're available |
[ We've left out most of the official references since |
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they're available |
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in the original article - hope that's as was intended.. |
in the original article - hope that's as was intended.. |
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If not, tell us |
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Asterisks like *this* signify that the word "this" |
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should be italicized. |
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] |
] |
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[1500-2000 words - quarterpageimages * 262] |
[1500-2000 words - quarterpageimages * 262] |
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[quarterpageimages = 2 --> ] |
[quarterpageimages = 2 --> ] |
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Diagrams of graphs (*nodes* connected by *arcs*) are usually drawn |
Diagrams of graphs (*nodes* connected by *arcs*) are usually drawn |
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using boxes and lines between them. For simple graphs, this is quite |
using boxes and lines between them. |
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satisfactory, but when lines must cross each other and the graph is badly |
Displaying relationships between nodes by lines or arcs is efficient as |
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laid out, the boxes-and-lines drawings can actually be ambiguous. If the |
physical connection makes the nodes to be perceived as parts of a single |
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object, according to the law of connectivity (one of the laws of |
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perceptual organization). Therefore, the viewer needs no conscious effort |
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to perceive the semantic relationship between the nodes. |
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For simple graphs, this is quite |
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satisfactory, but when lines must cross each other and the graph is badly |
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laid out, the boxes-and-lines drawings can actually be ambiguous. If the |
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layout cannot be changed (or if that would lead to other complications), |
layout cannot be changed (or if that would lead to other complications), |
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a rendering method which allows the viewer to distinguish between the |
a rendering method which allows the viewer to distinguish between the |
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different possibilities is needed. |
different possibilities is needed. |
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known as *blending* - creating surfaces that |
known as *blending* - creating surfaces that |
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meet several existing surfaces smoothly. |
meet several existing surfaces smoothly. |
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Displaying relationships between nodes by lines or arcs is efficient as |
Fillets aim to |
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physical connection makes the nodes to be perceived as parts of a single |
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object, according to the law of connectivity (one of the laws of |
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perceptual organization). Therefore, the viewer needs no conscious effort |
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to perceive the semantic relationship between the nodes. Fillets aim to |
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enhance the perception of connectivity by implementing the connecting |
enhance the perception of connectivity by implementing the connecting |
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lines with continuity. The node and the connecting line form one object, |
lines with continuity. |
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The node and the connecting line form one object, |
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without an abrupt disruption in perception, thus making it easy to follow |
without an abrupt disruption in perception, thus making it easy to follow |
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the connection between nodes. |
the connection between nodes. |
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Our use of fillets is entertainingly analogous to the use in mechanical |
Our use of fillets is entertainingly analogous to the use in mechanical |
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engineering: fillets ensure that the human perception system |
engineering: |
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fillets ensure that the human perception system |
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doesn't break an object and a connection starting |
doesn't break an object and a connection starting |
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from it into two distinct objects. |
from it into two distinct objects. |
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The filling of connections in graph diagrams |
The filling of connections in graph diagrams |
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conforms to the Gestalt |
conforms to the Gestalt |
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principle of good |
principle of good |