VIRTUAL DATA VISUALIZER

We present the Virtual Data Visualizer, a highly interactive, immersiv e environment for visualizing and analyzing data. VDV is a set of tool s for exploratory data visualization that does not focus on just one t ype of application. It employs a data organization with data arranged hierarchically in classes that can be modified by the user within the virtual environment. The class structure is the basis for bindings or mappings between data variables and glyph elements, which the user can make, change, or remove. The binding operation also has a set of defa ults so that the user can quickly display the data. The VDV requires a user interface that is fairly complicated for a virtual environment. We have taken the approach that a combination of more-or-less traditio nal menus and more direct means of icon manipulation will do the job. This work shows that a useful interface and set of tools can be built. Controls in VDV include a panel for controlling animation of the data and zooming in and out. Tools include a workbench for changing the gl yphs and setting glyph/variable ranges and a boundary tool for definin g new classes spatially.