Illustrative Graphics & Visualization Framework for Geological-Inspired Conceptual Model Development

在任何建模活动的早期阶段，用户协作地构建一系列概念模型，这些模型有助于形成想法，提出可能的解决方案，并做出影响后续建模阶段的重要决策。概念模型通常以手绘草图和效果图的形式呈现，为探索不确定性提供了丰富的视觉参考，并有助于描述更具解释性的、近似的预期模型。为帮助用户完成这一过程而提出的计算工具在基于草图的界面和建模（SBIM）、非真实感渲染（NPR）和说明可视化（IVis）的计算机图形学和可视化领域有其基础。这些领域引入了一种新的范例，利用传统插画家的基础和应用绘画和渲染技能，允许用户更直观地构建和可视化模型，并获得探索其不确定性的新见解。

In the early stages of any modeling activity, users collaboratively build a range of conceptual models, which help formulate ideas, suggest possible solutions, and make important decisions that affect subsequent modeling stages. Conceptual models are commonly represented as hand-made sketches and renderings, providing rich visual references for exploring the uncertainties and helping on the depiction of a more interpretive, approximated version of the intended model. Computational tools proposed to aid the user in this process have their foundations in the computer graphics and visualization fields of sketch-based interfaces and modeling (SBIM), non-photorealistic rendering (NPR), and illustrative visualization (IVis). These areas introduced a new paradigm that leverages the traditional illustrator's fundamental and applied drawing and rendering skills, allowing users to build and visualize models more intuitively and to gain new insights into exploring their uncertainties. I am proposing to address fundamental research problems in SBIM, NPR/IVis identified in my previous work on applying interactive modeling and visualization to geoscience; and also inspired by examples of traditional geological sketching, rendering, and illustration practices and examples I observed over the years. I am proposing a research program with three interrelated themes and problems as follows: (A) “Enhancing Scientific Observations via Sketching” A1. Stepwise observational sketching for conceptual model development of natural structures. Synchronized SBIM and NPR, transferring what we observe without or minimally looking at the sketch while applying gestural drawing and rendering. A2. Rule-based sketching and modeling of natural structures. Algorithmic rules based on the morphology of natural structures and their interfaces, to ensure realistic' structures are generated during sketch-input and in the model output. (B) “Visual Abstractions of Natural Materials & Structures” B1. Interactive non-photorealistic rendering of natural materials. Interactive procedural NPR of fabric patterns rendered in varying multi-scale geometries and structural relationships. B2. Interactive illustrative visualization of complex natural structures. Higher-level rendering abstraction inspired by eight general scientific illustration techniques and specific examples used in geo-scientific illustrations. (C) “Similarity-based Conceptual Sketching & Rendering.” Integrated set of data and visual analytics algorithms to classify existing sketches and renderings and generate new ones based on similarity of multi-dimensional attributes from the input models. The research outcomes are extendable to a broader number of scientific and engineering disciplines and applications requiring conceptual sketching and rendering in the style of our geology-inspired solutions.