Multiple Scatter Plots-based Multi-Dimensional Transfer Function and its Application to Ocean Data Visualization

To understand simulation data from the perspective of multivariables is important in numerical simulation study. This study proposes a new multi-dimensional transfer function that enables users to extract and visualize characteristic features with their empirical and intuitive judgment. In the proposed method, data points that represent characteristic features are selected in a couple of 2-dimensional scatter plots. Extracted data in each 2-variable space of multivariate datasets are assigned to different color components such as hue, saturation and/ or brightness, respectively, in order to classify and specify the characteristic features. We applied the method to high-resolution ocean simulation data with the advice of oceanographers. As a result of case studies, ocean currents and eddies are intuitively extracted and clearly represented with their physical properties such as current speed, temperature and salinity.