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    Artifact-Based Rendering Engine

    Ocean currents underneath the Filchner-Ronne Ice Shelf in the antarctic

    Getting Started

    • Installation Guide
    • Introduction and Overview
    • Key classes organized by theme / functionality
    • Core concepts

    About ABR

    We introduce Artifact-Based Rendering (ABR), a framework of tools, algorithms, and processes that makes it possible to produce real, data-driven 3D scientific visualizations with a visual language derived entirely from colors, lines, textures, and forms created using traditional physical media or found in nature. A theory and process for ABR is presented to address three current needs: (i) designing better visualizations by making it possible for non-programmers to rapidly design and critique many alternative data-to-visual mappings; (ii) expanding the visual vocabulary used in scientific visualizations to depict increasingly complex multivariate data; (iii) bringing a more engaging, natural, and human-relatable handcrafted aesthetic to data visualization. New tools and algorithms to support ABR include front-end applets for constructing artifact-based colormaps, optimizing 3D scanned meshes for use in data visualization, and synthesizing textures from artifacts. These are complemented by an interactive rendering engine with custom algorithms and interfaces that demonstrate multiple new visual styles for depicting point, line, surface, and volume data. A within-the-research-team design study provides early evidence of the shift in visualization design processes that ABR is believed to enable when compared to traditional scientific visualization systems. Qualitative user feedback on applications to climate science and brain imaging support the utility of ABR for scientific discovery and public communication.

    This Unity package provides features and functionality for the Artifact-Based Rendering technique. To learn more, check out the following associated publications:

    Key Publications

    Artifact-Based Rendering: Harnessing Natural and Traditional Visual Media for More Expressive and Engaging 3D Visualizations
    Seth Johnson, Francesca Samsel, Gregory Abram, Daniel Olson, Andrew J. Solis, Bridger Herman, Phillip J. Wolfram, Christophe Lenglet, and Daniel F. Keefe. IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics 26, 1, 492-502. 2019.

    This paper originally introduced the concept and first implementation of ABR.

    Printmaking, Puzzles, and Studio Closets: Using Artistic Metaphors to Reimagine the User Interface for Designing Immersive Visualizations
    Bridger Herman, Francesca Samsel, Annie Bares, Seth Johnson, Greg Abram, and Daniel F Keefe. In IEEE VIS Arts Program (VISAP). 19–28.

    This paper introduced the web-based ABR design interface.

    Poster: Automatic Generation of Data Legends for Multi-Variate Artist Driven Visualizations
    Claire Weissman, Bridger Herman, Stephanie Zeller, Francesca Samsel, and Daniel F. Keefe. IEEE VIS, 2020. Posters.
    SciVis Best Poster Award.
    This poster introduced an approach for automatically generating legends for ABR.

    Other publications using ABR

    Poster: Linked Spatial and Temporal Normalization for Analysis of Cyclical 4D Skeletal Motion Data
    Morgan L. Turner, Bridger Herman, Matthias Broske, and Daniel F. Keefe. IEEE VIS Posters 2022.

    Multi-Touch Querying on Data Physicalizations in Immersive AR
    Bridger Herman, Maxwell Omdal, Stephanie Zeller, Clara A Richter, Francesca Samsel, Dr Greg Abram, and Daniel F Keefe. Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction 5, ISS, 1–20. 2021.

    Mingling art and science opens minds
    Feder, T., Physics Today, 74(4), pp.24-29. 2021.

    The photo seen at the top of this page was produced for this article.

    Antarctic Water Masses and Ice Shelves: Visualizing the Physics
    Greg Abram, Francesca Samsel, Mark R Petersen, Xylar Asay-Davis, Darin Comeau, and Stephen F Price. IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications 41, 1, 35–41. 2021.

    Artifact-Based Rendering: VR Visualization by Hand
    Daniel F. Keefe, Francesca Samsel, and Bridger Herman. IEEE VIS Tutorial, Virtual. 2020.

    Abstract: Human Fingerprints and Artistic Vocabulary; Rendering Data, Creating Engagement, Connection and Context to Earth System Models
    Francesca Samsel, Daniel Keefe, Bridger Herman, and Greg Abram. 2020.

    Close Reading for Visualization Evaluation
    Annie Bares, Daniel F. Keefe, and Francesca Samsel. IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications 40, 04, 84-95.

    Salt, Chemistry and Cultivation: An immersive experience of climate data in the Gulf of Mexico
    Sculpting Vis Collaborative. Accepted to South by Southwest (SXSW) Festival 2020, Austin, TX (Delayed due to Pandemic).

    Scientific Visualization: Enriching Vocabulary via the Human Hand.
    Francesca Samsel, Annie Bares, Seth Johnson, and Daniel F. Keefe. In Proceedings of IEEE VIS Arts Program 2019.

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