3De Interactive Lenses for Visualization in Virtual Environments

2025-09-14

AI Summary

To address the challenge of simultaneously presenting focus and context in 3D visualization scenarios where multiple geometric representations coexist, this paper proposes 3De Lens—a novel, multifunctional visualization technique integrating 3D volumetric lenses with decal-based lensing. Our method establishes the first general-purpose lensing framework supporting diverse geometric types—including surfaces, streamlines, and other non-uniform primitives—and pioneers the incorporation of decal rendering into 3D lens design. Coupled with natural gesture-based interaction in virtual reality, it enables spatially consistent, direct manipulation. Experimental evaluation demonstrates that 3De Lens significantly improves the intuitiveness and analytical efficiency of exploring complex 3D data—particularly coupled surface-streamline fields—while preserving global contextual integrity and enhancing local geometric detail readability and interactive responsiveness.

Technology Category

• Computer Vision: 3D Computer Vision
• Knowledge Representation and Reasoning: Geometric, Spatial, and Temporal Reasoning
• Humans and AI: Interaction Techniques and Devices

Application Category

• Search and Retrieval-Augmented AI: Personalized, context-aware and across-device search
• Web Mining and Content Analysis: Web data visualization
• Graph Algorithms and Modeling for the Web: Efficient manipulation of static and dynamic Web-related graphs

Abstract

We present 3De lens, a technique for focus+context visualization of multi-geometry data. It fuses two categories of lenses (3D and Decal) to become a versatile lens for seamlessly working on multiple geometric representations that commonly coexist in 3D visualizations. In addition, we incorporate our lens into virtual reality as it enables a natural style of direct spatial manipulation for exploratory 3D data analysis. To demonstrate its potential use, we discuss two domain examples in which our lens technique creates customized visualizations of both surfaces and streamlines.

Problem

• Fusing 3D and Decal lenses for multi-geometry visualization
• Enabling spatial manipulation in VR for exploratory data analysis
• Creating customized visualizations for surfaces and streamlines

Innovation

• Fuses 3D and Decal lens techniques
• Enables multi-geometry visualization in VR
• Creates customized surface and streamline visualizations