Immersive Analytics of Large Dynamic Networks via Overview and Detail Navigation

Abstract

Analysis of large dynamic networks is a thriving research field, typically relying on 2D graph representations. The advent of affordable head mounted displays however, sparked new interest in the potential of 3D visualization for immersive network analytics. Nevertheless, most solutions do not scale well with the number of nodes and edges and rely on conventional fly-or walk-through navigation. In this paper, we present a novel approach for the exploration of large dynamic graphs in virtual reality that interweaves two navigation metaphors: overview exploration and immersive detail analysis. We thereby use the potential of state-of-the-art VR headsets, coupled with a web-based 3D rendering engine that supports heterogeneous input modalities to enable ad-hoc immersive network analytics. We validate our approach through a performance evaluation and a case study with experts analyzing a co-morbidity network.

A Multi-Layout Design for Immersive Visualization of Network Data

“…Büschel et al [10] have compared the suitability of different edge styles in AR. Others have investigated possibilities of novel interaction design for those environments [1,20,28,34,52]. In terms of interaction, our work is most closely related to the works of Alper et al [1], Kotlarek et al [34], and Sorger et al [52].…”

“…Others have investigated possibilities of novel interaction design for those environments [1,20,28,34,52]. In terms of interaction, our work is most closely related to the works of Alper et al [1], Kotlarek et al [34], and Sorger et al [52]. Their proposed interaction techniques have inspired us to build on top of the ideas of overview and detail and stereoscopic highlighting.…”

Role-Aware Information Spread in Online Social Networks

“…The VRige platform [299] permits social network interactions to be explored in an immersive virtual environment. The VR-based framework of Sorger et al [300] provides two navigation modes, overview exploration and immersive detail analysis, to analyze large dynamic networks. Looking ahead, the new field of cross-virtuality [301] has the goal of seamlessly integrating and transitioning among conventional 2D visualizations, augmented reality, and virtual reality; such integrative implementations have not yet been explored for the analysis of OSNs, and these represent an interesting future direction.…”

A Survey on Cross‐Virtuality Analytics

“…count scalability issues in graph drawing, interaction techniques and collaborative visual analysis among the main challenges [vLKS*11]. It has been shown that immersive technologies can facilitate an interactive and efficient visualization of networks [SWKA19, KMLM16, KKM*20]. However, visualization and exploration of networks with immersive technology is underutilized due to various technical, complexity‐ and visualization‐related reasons.…”