Visualization

Instructor: Er. Sujan Nepali

Nepal Banepa Polytechnic Institute
 About
• Visualization is considered as the translation or conversion of
spatial data from a database into graphics.
• These are in the form of maps, enabling the user to perceive
the structure of the phenomenon or the area represented.
 "How do I say what to whom, and is it effective?“
• "How" refers to the cartographic methods that are used for
making the graphics or the map.
• "I" refers to the cartographer, or the GIS user who is preparing
the map for exploring the data or for presentation.
• "Say" refers to the semantics that represent the spatial data.
• "What" refers to the spatial data and its characteristics.
• "Whom" refers to the map audience and the purpose of the
map.
 Maps
• The reduced and generalized, in a scientific way,
representation of the whole or part of the earth onto a flat
medium (generally paper or screen) is called a map.
 Hard map or Paper Map
• They can be bought physically on physical stores: Paper maps are printed
on physical papers and can be available for purchase on physical stores on
your way home.
• Storage requires physical space: Storage of paper maps requires that you
keep them in a dedicated place in your house or in your suitcase since it can
be physically handled.
• Paper maps can be accessed offline: Paper maps are printed on paper that
can be stored anywhere and can therefore be accessed from anywhere. You
do not need a computer or internet connection to access it.
• Mostly uses symbols to represent features and routes: Paper maps mostly
rely on symbols to represent features or routes that are physically seen on
land. You therefore need to interpret the symbols when reading paper maps.
• Cannot be updated easily: Paper maps are printed on paper and can
therefore not be updated on the same paper. This means that you
cannot make any changes on the map based on the changes in
landforms.
• It is static: Paper maps are static representations of features on land
at the time when the representations were created. One cannot
modify to see the previous version of the area.
• Paper maps cannot represent all features at the same time
(sometime): paper maps usually make a representation of one aspect
of the land at a time, For instance, a map could represent the rivers
only or the geographical area of a place.
• Paper maps are limited to specific area based on the scale of
the map: Paper maps are representations that are limited on a
specific area of the land and not the entire geographical
location.
• It requires skills to interpret because of the symbolic
representation of features: Paper maps do not show objects but
use symbols instead which means special skills are required to
interpret the symbols when reading the map.
 Digital Map
• Storage requires digital space: Digital maps do not require physical space for
storage. They are stored in digital format and therefore require digital space.
• Digital maps can be accessed online: Digital maps cannot be accessed anywhere
else besides online. One therefore requires an internet connection to access them
online.
• Show all features including time and the actual building: Digital map do not
depend on symbols to represent features. Instead, they show the actual features
and the time.
• Can be easily updated: Digital map is mostly real time representations of an area
and can therefore be updated easily because the changes will be updated
automatically.
• It is dynamic: Digital maps are dynamic which means one can choose to view the
previous versions of the represented area unlike paper maps.
• Digital maps can represent all features at the same time: Digital maps can be used to
represent all features of a given area at the same time. They allow filtering for specific
features but can also show the entire area.
• Digital maps are not limited to any area: Digital maps are not limited to show only a
specific area based on scale. They can be widened to show the entire area.
• May not require special skills since it shows the real life object: Interpreting digital maps is
easier than paper maps since the features are real representations of the real world objects.
• Good at showing area overlays from various angles: Digital maps do not only show 2D
representations of an area. They can be used to show the 3D angle of the area and also show
the area overlays.
• Cannot be used to show changes in land forms because it is always up to date: Digital
maps are always up to date and may therefore not be ideal for use to show changes in land
forms.
 Map Data Types
As maps are representative of spatial data with symbols, it is
important to understand what type of data is to be mapped. In general
the spatial data can be divided into two categories:
• I. Qualitative data: Data classified or shown by category, rather
than by amount or rank, such as soil by type or animals by species.
Qualitative data are also called nominal data.
• II. Quantitative data: Data grouped or shown by measurements of
number or amount, such as population per unit area. Quantitative
data can be measured as interval or ratio scale.
• In between qualitative and quantitative data, there is ordinal data
• Nominal data: Data that are discrete named values without
natural order amongst the value are called nominal data.
Nominal data differ in type, and cannot be ranked. E.g. land use
(residential, commercial, park), or tree species (maple, oak, fir).
• Ordinal data: Data classified by comparative value are ordinal.
Ordinal data can be ranked but have only relative values (low,
medium, high) on the basis of some quantitative measure but
difference cannot be measured. E.g.: small, medium, and large
cities or single-lane, double-lane, and four-lane roads.
• Interval data: Data for which exact distance between values is
known, but there is no absolute zero in the scale. Temperature is an
example of an interval measure because the respective zero points
of their measurement scale have been selected at random, it is
impossible to say that for instance a temperature of 600 F is twice of
300 F.
• Ratio data: Data classified relative to a fixed zero point on a linear
scale are ratio data. Mathematical operations can be used on these
values with predictable and meaningful results. Elevation above sea
level, precipitation, and population are all examples of ratio data.
 Map Types
• Static Maps
• Dynamic Maps
• Interactive Maps
 STATIC MAPS
• Normally paper maps or the scanned maps in digital form are
static.
• The contents of the static maps are static and cannot be
updated.
• The scale of the map cannot be changed, areas off the edges of
the map cannot be viewed and components of the map cannot
be toggled on or off
Scanned Topo Map

http://pahar.in/nepal-topo-maps/

Visit this site:

 DYNAMIC MAPS
• Those maps whose data are connected with the database and
are updated in map whenever the database is updated are
dynamic maps.
• For example: Population census map that is frequently
updated at the databases and are shown in the map as soon as
the data is updated
Corona Death Updated map

Source: https://worldmapper.org/maps/covid-19-coronavirus-deaths-august-2020/
 INTERACTIVE MAPS
• Normally in the previous maps described, user have less
interactivity with the maps.
• In the interactive maps, User can interact with maps by
toggling layer on/off or by changing color, symbols at the time
of viewing maps.
 Some interactive maps
• https://mapmaker.nationalgeographic.org/#/

• https://geology.com/world/world-map.shtml

• http://trackthetropics.com/track/
 Other types of Map
• Thematic Map
• Web Map
 THEMATIC MAPS
• A thematic map is a type of map especially designed to show a
particular theme connected with a specific geographic area.
• These maps can portray physical, social, political, cultural,
economic, sociological, agricultural, or any other aspects of a
city, state, region, nation, or continent.
 Different examples of thematic maps
• Choropleth map
– a map which uses differences in shading, coloring, or the placing of
symbols within predefined areas to indicate the average values of a
particular quantity in those areas.
• Dot Maps:
– A dot distribution map, or dot density map, is a map type that uses a
dot symbol to show the presence of a feature or a phenomenon.
• Proportional Symbol Map:
– Proportional symbol maps scale the size of simple symbols (usually a
circle or square) proportionally to the data value found at that
location.
 WEB MAPS
• Web mapping is the process of designing, implementing,
generating and delivering maps on the World Wide Web and
its product.
• Different web maps:
– Static Web maps
– Dynamic Web maps
– Animated Web maps
– Real Time Web maps
– Interactive web maps
 Web maps
• You can find a lot of web maps in the Internet.
• Some of them can be:
– Google maps: https://www.google.com/maps/
– Open Street maps: https://www.openstreetmap.org/
– Topo zone maps: https://www.topozone.com/
– Airplane Navigation: https://www.flightradar24.com/
 Map Design
• Map Design is significantly influenced by current information
technology that allows the compilation of maps using different
software products as a way of display in individual data layers.
 Map Design
• Nevertheless, maps are unique kind of documents that can convey
huge amounts of spatial information quickly and accurately.
• Map design is the aggregate of all the thought processes that
cartographers go through during the abstraction phase of the
cartographic process. Map design is a complex activity involving
both intellectual and visual, technological and non-technological,
and individual and multidisciplinary aspects (Dent, Torgusin and
Hodler, 2009).
• For map design, it is necessary be knowledgeable about map
projections and reference systems, types of maps and geographical
names.
 Basic Rules for Map Design
• The following this must be considered while preparing map.
– Map proposal
– Map Drafting
– Map Content
– Map Symbols
– Labeling and map text
– Map Generalization
– Map composition
– Map compilation
 Map Proposal
• A mapping assignment is always the beginning of map design. A map assignment
is essentially a special type of order. The execution of such a contract requires
professional solutions based on the nature of the map project.
• For example, a thematic map assignment is formulated by a customer expressing
the intention with which each map is to be compiled and published. The map
assignment must include a clearly defined objective and purpose for the map, as
well as other requirements, such as the volume of the information or the
expected map use.
• The objective of the map is a key point of the map assignment. When the
objective of a map is specified, the target group of users, the way of working
with the map and the volume of conveyed information are carefully formulated.
 Map Drafting
• At the beginning of map compilation, required measurements are
necessary for determining the exact position of selected points which are
used to define coordinate systems. These are followed up by providing a
coordinate system to all points with which all objects on the Earth's surface
are mapped in the field like buildings, roads, rivers, forests, borders, etc.
• Cartographers compile to maps according to the rules and regulations set
through which all maps in a topographic map series are identical in
projection, content, detail, labeling and symbology. Maps are frequently
updated and constantly improved.
• The cartographer and thematic expert can redraw, refine, supplement or
generalize this working map several times. The final working map is a
master for further cartographic processing.
 Map content
• The features on a map are the map content. Map content is compiled sequentially to be fully in line with the map
objective. Features are displayed in the map content according to one of the following criteria:
• • qualitative—the species are expressed (e.g. language map);
• • quantitative—the quantifiable properties (e.g. population density map) are displayed;
• • topological—the features are represented by their ground nature (the way they relate to the Earth surface) by
point, line and area symbols (e.g. road map);
• • developmental—the changes in space and time are displayed (e.g. troop movement map);
• • meaning—or significance and the significance of a small settlement in the desert is higher than that of a similar
settlement in a well-populated area) and
• • structural—the feature as a unit together with its sub-components and interrelationships are represented (e.g.
map of the age structure of the population).

• In compiling the map contents, the first task is to distinguish primary features (resulting from the map
assignment) from secondary ones (used to supplement the information on the map). A topographic base of the
thematic map is created to allow for spatial localization and to find mutual topological relations of the primary
features.
 Map Symbol
• There are a number of methods for map visualization of map
contents. The selection of methods is determined by the
nature of the displayed features (which can either be related to
points, lines or areas) and the objective of the map. (See Visual
Variable)
 Labelling and map text
• All maps contain text. Place names must be easy to read and be placed at the
right location also when you zoom in or out on your computer screen. The first
thing that catches the eye is that there are so many printing typefaces. The
development of typefaces has a long history; its main purpose has been to
create texts easy to read in books and newspapers. The typefaces used in
advertising have other characteristics, chosen in order to convey an impression
of the objects the advertisement deals with.
• In this section we will handle typography and how to print the text on the map.
The typeface or font of the text is very important in a map. Different typefaces
are used to label different types of map objects, and of course texts are also used
the title, legend, imprint and text boxes. By changing type parameters, we can
distinguish features by labeling the map content and thus improve the map
readability and attractiveness. The readability and clarity of each letter symbol or
character are provided by the basic parameters of type family, size, colour, etc.
 Map Generalization
• Map generalization is the process that simplifies visualization
to produce a map at a certain scale with a defined and
readable legend. To be readable at a smaller scale, some
objects are removed, enlarged, aggregated, displaced or
simplified. During generalization, map information can be
globally simplified but has to stay readable and
understandable. The smaller the scale, the less information is
given per square kilometer. Conversely, the larger the scale, the
more detailed information is given for the same map size.
 Map Composition
• Map composition is the first image the reader sees on the map. Map composition means the distribution of the
graphic elements on the map sheet. It depends primarily on the objective and scale of the map, map projection,
the shape and size of the mapped area and the format of the map sheet. The map composition of the thematic
maps is very varied and diverse, unlike the topographic maps with uniform map composition based on official
rules and regulations.
• Map composition must meet three basic requirements:
• • to include all the basic composition elements;
• • to be balanced, without empty or overfilled areas; and
• • to present aesthetically pleasant conditions for map reading.

• Basic elements are map area, title, legend scale etc.

 Map Compilation
• Once a cartographer generalizes the map content and interprets it in the map at the scale of issue, this result in an
editorial original. The content of the editorial original is drawn with the prescribed graphical accuracy in all
details in accordance with a map project.
• The thematic content of the editorial original is taken from the authors' originals, which are compiled by thematic
experts rather than cartographers. The compilation of the thematic map requires a skilled cartographer, who
addresses a number of cartographic tasks in accordance with the map project, especially map composition,
generalization, map content maps and symbology. A cartographer is fully responsible for the quality of
visualization of the editorial original, which is the final form of the map design.
• The editorial original is first elaborated in the areas with the richest map content in order to determine the optimal
graphic complexity of these areas and their readability. Symbology and level of generalization are adjusted
according to these areas. Other features of the map content are then drawn according to their importance. Finally,
the labelling and additional composition elements are drawn. The thematic expert is involved in the compilation
of the editorial original primarily as a consultant on the map content and symbology.
 Visual variables
• Several characteristics of a symbol that can be manipulated.

• Bertin’s graphic (visual) variables:

– Position –for locational aspects of geospatial data
– Form, orientation, color, texture, value and size for the thematic
attributes.
Visual Variables
 Visual variable Position
• Position refers to the location of a symbol.

• Line symbols

• Point symbols

• Area symbols
 Visual variable Form
• Form refers to the shape of the symbol.
Visual variable Orientation
• Orientation refers to the direction of a
symbol.
 Visual variable Color
• Color refers to the hue of the symbol.
 Visual variable Value
• Value refers to the relative lightness or darkness of a symbol.
• Is a black : white ratio.
 Visual variable Grain/Texture
• Grain/Texture refers to the coarseness (resolution or spacing)
of the graphic elements within a symbol while value remains
constant.
 Visual variable Size
• Size refers to the dimension of the symbol.
 Combination of visual variables
• Various visual variables can be applied to a symbol for better visualization.
• E.g. Form + Color

• Color + Orientation

• Form + size