Visualization in Problem Solving Environments

Amit Goel

Department of Computer Science

Virginia Tech

June 14, 1999

Overview

Introduction to PSEs

Description of VizCraft

Description of WBCSim

Summary

Problem Solving Environments

Solve problems in a specific domain Integrated set of facilities Usually involve legacy codes Provide a GUI to legacy codes Visualization: an important component Usually provide optimization capabilities Web accessibility Expert or “recommender” systems

Problem Solving Environments (contd.)

Two PSEs presented:• VizCraft: for configuration design of a High

Speed Civil Transport• WBCSim: for wood-based composites

simulations

VizCraft: A PSE for HSCT Configuration

Addresses the HSCT design problem• minimize an objective function (TOGW)• meet a series of constraints

Provides an integrated GUI to HSCT design code• wireframe model of HSCT planform• instant feedback on experimental changes

in geometry• ability to store and retrieve designs

VizCraft: A PSE for HSCT Configuration (contd.)

Evaluate a single design point Browse a database of design points

using Parallel Coordinates Graphical view of design variables and

constraint violations Point to icon transformations VRML view of HSCT planform

Parallel Coordinates Lay out design variables on parallel axes Provide visualization of design vectors Reduce 29 dimensions into a 2-D pattern

recognition problem No loss of mathematical information Query/visualize databases of design points Alternatives?

– Techniques: Scatterplots– Packages: MATLAB, Mathematica, PVWave

Parallel Coordinates Example

Single design point

Parallel Coordinates Example (contd.)

Constraint violations for a single design point

Parallel Coordinates Example (contd.)

Visualizing a database of design points

Parallel Coordinates Example (contd.)

Recognizing patterns and relationships in a database

Parallel Coordinates Example (contd.)

Result of “brushing” out design points

VizCraft: Concluding Remarks

Interactive data exploration: a key feature Provides a high-level abstraction to complex

underlying operations Modular approach through object-oriented

programming in Java Parallel coordinates module used for

visualizing other high-dimensional systems Intuitive feel for parallel coordinates can be

realized with usage and practice

VizCraft: Future Possibilities

Remote visualization via the Web Integration of optimization tools

(DOT, VisualDOC) “Steering” capabilities

WBCSim: A PSE for Wood-Based Composites Simulations

Provides a GUI to legacy Fortran simulation codes

Integrates simulation, visualization, and optimization

Various simulations supported Accessible off the Web

WBCSim Software Architecture

WBCSim User Interface

Input window for the Composite Materials Analysis Simulation

WBCSim User Interface (contd.)

Example output from Composite Materials Analysis simulation

WBCSim: Visualization

VRML chosen as the primary environment for visualizing output• a recognized standard for 3D visualization• VRML viewers freely available & easy to use• simple syntax makes VRML generation easy

VRML translators written to provide visualization for specific needs

WBCSim: Contributions

Provides an integrated set of facilities for solving problems in the wood-composite domain

Web-based implementation allows scientists to work away from their laboratories, and from various platforms

Greater use of simulation tools Scientists uncovered new bugs

Summary

Two problem solving environments presented: VizCraft and WBCSim

Provide high-level abstraction over command-line driven simulation codes

Integrate visualization with computation, helping scientists be more productive