Lecture 6

Prof. F.N. Karanja

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 Outline
 6.0. Introduction
 6.1. Concepts of Geo-spatial data visualization
 6.1.1. Characteristics of Maps
 6.1.2. The Visualization Process
 6.2. Application of Visualization Concepts
 6.2.1. Cartographic visual variables
 6.2.2. Map cosmetics
 6.2.3. Map output media.
.

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Objectives
 At the end of this topic the learner should be able
to:-
 Explain the concepts of visualization
 Describe the process of the visualization
 Apply the visualization concepts in terms of being
able to choose:-
 The cartographic variables
 Map output media

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Overview (1)

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Overview (2)

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Overview (3)

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Why Spatial Data

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Spatial Dimension
 0d - point phenomena located in
2d or 3d space (e.g. data collected
at weather monitoring stations)
 1d - linear phenomena (e.g. the
path an AUV takes while taking
measurements)
 2d - areal phenomena (e.g. data
collected on the surface of a lake)
 2.5d - volumetric phenomena -
each x, y position has a single z
value associated with it (e.g. the
maximum depth at any point in the
lake)
 3d - volumetric phenomena - each
x, y, z position has a value
associated with it (e.g. the ph
values collected at various points
and depths in the lake)
 4d- 3d with additional time
dimension.

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6.0. Introduction (1)

 much GIS output is in the form of hard copy maps or graphic

displays
 design of graphic output is critical if information is to be
conveyed effectively to the user
 graphic output from GIS is often poorly designed e.g. colours
used randomly without appropriate scaling
 conventional scale of colours used to display elevation on
standard atlas maps has been optimized over centuries of
cartographic experience
 design can benefit from principles of cartographic design
developed in cartography
 screen display introduces a new set of issues because of
greater capabilities compared with paper maps
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Introduction (2)
 features shown on maps and displays can be differentiated and identified in
various ways:
 symbols, e.g. church, bridge
 colors
 sizes
 labels
 labels provide the greatest flexibility to attach descriptions to point, line and
area features
 names of administrative divisions, lakes, rivers etc.
 elevations of contours, spot heights
 highway numbers
 in cartography, positioning labels is a complex and sophisticated process
 there have been few attempts to write down the rules used (Imhof, 1975 is a
well-known exception)
 it has proven difficult to emulate these rules in automated map production
or GIS

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Imhofs basic rules
 names on maps should:
 be legible
 be easily associated with the features they describe
 not overlap other map contents
 be placed so as to show the extent of the feature
 reflect the hierarchy of features by the use of different font sizes
 not be densely clustered nor evenly dispersed
 it may not be possible to satisfy all of these rules perfectly
 the best solution will balance conflicting objectives, e.g. need to associate
name with feature vs. need to avoid overlap of contents
 label placement is a complex problem because of the vast number of
possible positions that have to be searched and the number of conflicting
objectives

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Role of Scale
 the scale of output should be
consistent with input scale
 e.g. inappropriate to digitize
from 1:1,000,000 map, display at
1:24,000 because data will not
be sufficiently accurate
 also inappropriate to digitize at
1:24,000, display at 1:1,000,000
without adequate generalization
features will be too dense, too
detailed
 scale on a screen is as
important as on a plotted map

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Good Map Design
 The cardinal rules of mapping:
 Make sure that the map meets users’ needs. Always make this
characteristic rule number one. If the user can’t interpret the map or the
map presents the wrong information, all your time and the results of your
analysis are wasted.
 Make the map easy to use and understand. Avoid confusion at all
costs.
 Accuracy is essential to good map design. As much as possible,
avoid data errors, unintended data and graphic distortions, and
misinterpretations.
 The method of map presentation should relate correctly to the
data. Make sure that you use the right type of map — one with the right
symbols, correct classes, scales, projections, and so on.
 Allow the user to review and interact with the map during
production. Make sure the user understands what the map is all about, that
it meets his or her needs, and that it communicates the information
correctly.

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6.1. Concepts of Geospatial data Visualization

 The concern here is to understand the basic

concept behind geospatial data visualization. Two
issues are covered namely:-
 6.1.1. Characteristics of Maps
 6.1.2. The visualization process

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6.1.1. Characteristics of Maps
 Maps put answers in a spatial perspective. They answer
questions regarding to:-
 Where?
 What?
 When?
 Which?
 How?
 A map is effective, if it is able to communicate the
contents with little ambiguity. Hence the scale of a map
is important and that is why we talk about large scale or
small scale maps.

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6.1.2. The Visualization Process
 This involves converting the spatial data in the database into graphics by applying
cartographic methods and techniques.

 The producers of maps could either be cartographers or experts in the various disciplines. The
visualization process is guided by the question “How do I say what to whom and is it
effective? “,Where,
 How refers to the cartographic methods and techniques
  I is the cartographer and map maker
  Say is the mode of communication either graphics or semantics
  What addresses the spatial data and their characteristics
  Whom is the map user and the purpose of the map
 Effectiveness ensures that the needs of the user have been met.

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Cartography and GIS
 When you work with GIS software, you’re the cartographer.
 Unfortunately, you don’t automatically inherit the training and experience
that professional cartographers possess because you own the latest and
greatest GIS software.
 GIS software provides you access to the cartographer’s toolkit, but many
of those tools have specialized uses that require instruction and
particular conditions under which you can and should use them.
 The cartographic product of your GIS work is important.You can do the
most elaborate and impressive GIS models in the world, but when you’re
done, you need to produce a map that the user accepts and, more
importantly, that exactly communicates the analysis.

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Use of Maps
 As a result of technology advances maps are being
generated using GIS by integrating data sets from different
sources. Maps can be used in various ways:-
 As input to a GIS
 To show intermediate results from a GIS analysis
 As an output from a GIS

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6.2.Application of the
Visualization Process

 6.2.1. Cartographic Visual Variables

 6.2.2. Map Cosmetics
 6.2.3. Map output media.

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6.2.1 Cartographic Visual Variables
 Symbolization is a technique used to display map features, i.e. point, line,
area or text.Various variables are employed for this purpose namely:-
 Size
 Lightness value
 Texture
 Color
 Shape
 Orientation

 Their role is to enhance and distinguish between or among different

phenomena being displayed on a map.

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Example: Use of Color
 An example is when mapping qualitative data e.g. land use, and
the visual variable used is color, the idea is to ensure that there
is balance of color

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Qualitative Visual Variables

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Example: Use of Size Symbol
 On the other hand mapping of quantitative data e.g. population,
different sizes of point symbols can be used to distinguish
areas with high and low population.

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Quantitative Visual Variables

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 6.2.2. Map Cosmetics

 Information that should always accompany a map include:-

 Title which informs the user the topic being visualized
 Legend which depicts how the topic is being visualized
 Additional marginal information include:-
 scale
 north arrow
 map projection
 when map was created
 data used and age
 tools used to create the map
 who created the map
 This information is useful for the user for gauging the quality of the map. Within this
context, for paper maps this information has to appear on the map face whereas for
within a digital environment is a mouse click away since they are designed to be
interactive.
 In map design, visual hierarchy or map ground separation is important for not only
coming up with appealing maps but also maps of integrity in terms of communicating
spatial information.

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6.2.3.Map Output Media
 Although the traditional output media was hardcopy paper maps, and it is still
being used even today, more map products are being generated in digital
format also.
 The advantage of on screen maps is that they can be used for pre-view,
internal presentation or for the World Wide Web.
 The size of on-screen maps compared to hardcopy ones is that they have to be
smaller in size hence the content has to be selected carefully
 The fact that information is in digital form offers a lot of advantages in the
sense that it can be displayed on demand. It is also possible to link to other
data sets, i.e. tabular, multimedia (sound, video and animations).
 Web maps can either be static or dynamic. Static maps are mainly used for
view only, to advertise for products, e.g. tourist attraction sites, for historical
documentation, The static maps in addition to view only, may have other
functionalities e.g. zooming, panning, hyper linking, etc.
 Dynamic maps on the other hand are about change and involve change in one
or more of the spatial data layers. Different types of animations can be used
for dynamic maps, e.g. animated GIF, and also virtual reality modeling for
presenting 3-D models.

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Responding to COVID 19 Spatially

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Example of a Web map Model

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Examples of Outputs:Terrain
Mapping
Mapping of Elevation Data

Contours Layer Tints

Shaded Relief 3-D Visualization

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 Time Series Mapping (1)

Single Static Map

Series of Static Maps

Animated Maps

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Time Series Mapping (2)

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Quantitative data visualization in 3-D

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3-D Mapping - Town

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3-D mapping - Population

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3D-mapping Hydrology

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 The End

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