Three methods have been used to place data in digital constructed three-dimensional diagrams. They are defined here as Spatial, Extruded and Process .Each method shown has value, but also seem to require a familiarly with the data and the technique to be truly effective. In a sense, they have a learning curve. The forthcoming criticism focuses on the broad visual and interactive issues regarding display of abstract data. Most importantly it tries to address the issues and tries to tap the representational power of interactive and exploreable three-dimensional space.

 
Spatial Charts

The diagram above examines the solar wind. Each point is a particle and its position is determined by its real world counterpart. Additional data, indicating vorticity and velocity is shown through changes in shape and color.

This approach is perfectly reasonable for data sets that have real world counterparts such as the solar wind. Yet the amount of data actually usable by the viewer is far less then shown. It may be more helpful to group points into flowing, semi transparent forms that highlight the behavior of groups of particles.

Rotating the data, viewing it from different angles may or may not hold value to the viewer. In this regard, the addition of a third dimension holds its greatest value for those initially seeking (or training) to explore and understand the data. As a means of showing relevant information to a group, a single (or perhaps series) of images may be more defilement and effective. Granted, turning the model and searching for the data to present may add showmanship to the presentation, but that is a personal choice.

The only real design issue is that this approach is only applicable to data sets that have real world three-dimensional counterparts. Given the broad range of date placed in charts, graphs and diagrams, this genre is clearly in the minority.
 
Extruded Graphs

Most charts and graphs found in corporate and academic presentations structured into bars or plotted points and arranged on two axis.

Extruding this methodology into three dimensions sets in motion a series of informational cognitive clashes that leave users impressed with "pretty" visuals but completely unable to interpret their meaning.

Two fundamental problems arise. Charts and graphs use simple visual comparisons to generate meaning. The ability for viewers to make comparisons based on spatial and volumetric elements are confounded by the nature of three-dimensional space. Three dimensional perspectives add volumetric and spatial data into the scene. This three dimensional data alters the visual relationships of the non spatial data that the chart or graph is supposed to highlight.

Additionally, the data in this type of graph is aligned along two straight axis drawn in a perpendicular manner. Presentation in any position other than a straight/parallel or perhaps isometric view to the viewer further degrades the information the designer wishes to be understood.

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