Measured and perceived visual complexity: a comparative study among three online map providers

We present a study on human perception of map complexity, with the objective of better understanding design decisions that may lead to undesirable levels of complexity in web maps. We compare three complexity metrics to human ratings of complexity obtained through a user survey. Specifically, we use two algorithmic approaches published by others, which measure feature congestion (FC) and subband entropy (SE), as well as our own approach of counting object types rather than individual objects. We compare these metrics with each other as well as with human complexity ratings for three maps of the same area from map providers Google Maps, Bing Maps, and OpenStreetMap. Each map design is assessed at three different scales (levels of detail). We find that (1) the FC and SE metrics appear to be adequate predictors of what humans consider complex; (2) object-type counts are slightly less successful at predicting human-rated complexity, implying that clutter is more important in perceived complexity than diversity of symbology; and (3) generalization choices do impact human complexity ratings. These findings contribute to our understanding of what makes a map complex, with implications for designing maps that are easy to use.     

Design principles for origin-destination flow maps

Origin-destination flow maps are often difficult to read due to overlapping flows. Cartographers have developed design principles in manual cartography for origin-destination flow maps to reduce overlaps and increase readability. These design principles are identified and documented using a quantitative content analysis of 97 geographic origin-destination flow maps without branching or merging flows. The effectiveness of selected design principles is verified in a user study with 215 participants. Findings show that (a) curved flows are more effective than straight flows, (b) arrows indicate direction more effectively than tapered line widths, and (c) flows between nodes are more effective than flows between areas. These findings, combined with results from user studies in graph drawing, conclude that effective and efficient origin-destination flow maps should be designed according to the following design principles: overlaps between flows are minimized; symmetric flows are preferred to asymmetric flows; longer flows are curved more than shorter or peripheral flows; acute angles between crossing flows are avoided; sharp bends in flow lines are avoided; flows do not pass under unconnected nodes; flows are radially distributed around nodes; flow direction is indicated with arrowheads; and flow width is scaled with represented quantity.     

The effects of visual realism,spatial abilities,and competition on performance in map-based route learning in men

We report on how visual realism might influence map-based route learning performance in a controlled laboratory experiment with 104 male participants in a competitive context. Using animations of a dot moving through routes of interest, we find that participants recall the routes more accurately with abstract road maps than with more realistic satellite maps. We also find that, irrespective of visual realism, participants with higher spatial abilities (high-spatial participants) are more accurate in memorizing map-based routes than participants with lower spatial abilities (low-spatial participants). On the other hand, added visual realism limits high-spatial participants in their route recall speed, while it seems not to influence the recall speed of low-spatial participants. Competition affects participants’ overall confidence positively, but does not affect their route recall performance neither in terms of accuracy nor speed. With this study, we provide further empirical evidence demonstrating that it is important to choose the appropriate map type considering task characteristics and spatial abilities. While satellite maps might be perceived as more fun to use, or visually more attractive than road maps, they also require more cognitive resources for many map-based tasks, which is true even for high-spatial users.     

规则池塘群的复杂直线模式识别

针对现有面要素直线模式识别方法难以解决规则池塘中破碎区域的问题,提出了一种规则池塘群的复杂直线模式识别方法。首先,分析了规则池塘群的空间特征和认知特点,提出了“主次关系→并列关系→直线模式→复杂直线模式”的多层次认知顺序;其次,设计了主次关系池塘组、并列关系池塘组、直线模式池塘群的识别方法;最后,构建了复杂直线模式池塘群的识别模型。试验表明:本文方法能够消除破碎区域对规则池塘群直线模式提取的不利影响,有效提升复杂直线模式识别的质量。     

矢量曲线的视觉清晰度及在网络地图综合中的应用

互联网用户参与的地图制图容易出现视觉冲突、压盖、拥挤等地图表达问题,需要引入地图自动综合协助解决。网络地图中由于原图比例尺和综合后比例尺均难以准确量化,常规地图自动综合基于“原图比例尺-综合后比例尺”判断是否需要综合的方法已不再适用。矢量数据在可视化后会产生视觉粘连,视觉粘连越明显,地图表达效果越差,综合的需求也越强烈。基于此规律,本文提出对视觉粘连进行定量描述并据此判断是否需要综合。首先,从人类视觉感受出发,结合栅格化思想设计了矢量曲线视觉粘连的量化指标——视觉清晰度。然后,基于“金字塔式”的尺度空间计算曲线在多个比例尺表达的清晰度,并拟合了清晰度的变化函数。最后,将该函数应用于众源地理数据的网络地图综合决策。试验结果表明,本文方法可准确判断每条矢量曲线是否需要综合,能有效解决地理数据尺度异质性带来的可视化难题。同时,清晰度变化函数将曲线的尺度描述由静态数值扩展到连续函数,有望更好地支持多尺度空间数据处理及网络地图综合等问题。     

地图学技术、科学、艺术的对立统一

随着地图学内涵和外延的扩展,认识地图学的探索从未停止。本文在现有研究对地图学认识的基础上,分析地图学的技术性、科学性与艺术性,进而探讨地图学技术性、科学性艺术的对立与统一,探索当今时代易变性影响下地图学的恒常性,从技术性、科学性、艺术性角度重新认识地图学。     

图库一体化软件系统研究与实现

为了提高DLG和DRG数据生产效率,改变传统作业模式,解决图库数据分离造成的数据不同步、数据维护复杂等问题,笔者引入"图库一体化"解决方案,通过建立图库一体化数据模型,利用制图表达原理研究算法实现复杂符号效果,采用智能化标注、地图整饰自动化等关键性技术,基于Arc GIS Engine实现Umap图库一体化系统。     

新型基础测绘体系下再论图库一体化

依据新型基础测绘的服务要求,制定了科学合理的图库一体化的生产路线,总结了注意事项,研究开发了图库一体化的质检工具,提高了基础测绘的生产效率和质量,为新型基础测绘“按需服务”奠定了基础。     

The use of cartographic control points in the harmonization and revision of MRDBs

The main purpose of the research is to achieve fully automated approach for supplying multi-resolution databases with linear objects in each scale. Moreover, the proposed solutions maintain the repeatability and accuracy of output data wherever possible according to the input scale. These properties are achieved by keeping the minimal object dimensions as well as the appropriate data pre-processing, based on the classification of source points. The classification distinguishes three classes of points: constant (unchangeable), temporary, and inherited. These classes build a structure of cartographic control points. Based on these solutions, the authors proposed an algorithm for linear object simplification based on minimal object dimensions and cartographic control points. It was also confirmed that the simplification between constant points does not cause geometry discrepancies in relation to the global simplification of the whole line.     

地理空间数据自动综合方法的研究现状与发展趋势

多年来人们已经报道了很多自动综合方法。这些方法确实解决了地理空间数据自动综合中的很多重要问题,但这些方法也有明显的缺陷和应用范围。本文对这些方法进行了研究,研究内容包括这些方法的分类、原理、优缺点和适用范围,并提出了今后自动综合方法的研究发展趋势。