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ABSTRACTCyberspace is a dynamic and complex environment that poses unique challenges in understanding and managing its intricacies. In this study, we developed a framework for ‘Geo-Cyber’ spatial correlation mapping and expression, leveraging geographical information to enhance the understanding of cyberspace. The theory of geographic metaphor is incorporated into the framework to provide a comprehensive and intuitive approach for comprehending the interplay between geographic space and cyberspace. The framework enables the modeling and visual expression of geo-cyber correlations using a layered knowledge-graph representation. To graphically represent the complex knowledge graph within cyberspace, the framework uses an ‘Object-VirtualObject-Process-Decision’ layered modeling approach, which facilitates effective navigation and comprehension of the inherent cyberspace dynamics. Based on the experimental data, we employed a virtual geo-cyber environment system to demonstrate the effectiveness of the framework. The application cases include resource navigation and situational awareness in cyberspace to showcase the practicality and relevance of the proposed framework. The analysis indicated that the framework enhances situational awareness, facilitates effective decision-making, and promotes a holistic comprehension of the interplay between geography and cyberspace by leveraging geographic information and incorporating metaphorical cognition, layered modeling, and visualization techniques.

The visual perception of augmented reality (AR) geovisualization is significantly different from traditional controllable 2D and 3D visualization. In this study, we extended the rendering styles of color variables to include natural material color (NMC) and illuminating material color (IMC) and extended the size to include linear size (LS) and angular size (AS). Outdoor AR geovisualization user experiments were conducted, examining the guidance characteristics of five static variables (NMC, IMC, shape, AS, LS) and two dynamic variables (vibration, flicker). The results showed that the two dynamic variables provided the highest guidance, and among all the static variables, the order of guidance was shape, IMC, AS, NMC, and finally LS. This is a new finding that is different from the color, size, and shape guidance order in 2D visualization and the color, shape, and size order in 3D visualization. The results could be utilized to guide the selection of visual variables for symbol design in AR geovisualization.

The visual perception of augmented reality (AR) geovisualization is significantly different from traditional controllable 2D and 3D visualization. In this study, we extended the rendering styles of color variables to include natural material color (NMC) and illuminating material color (IMC) and extended the size to include linear size (LS) and angular size (AS). Outdoor AR geovisualization user experiments were conducted, examining the guidance characteristics of five static variables (NMC, IMC, shape, AS, LS) and two dynamic variables (vibration, flicker). The results showed that the two dynamic variables provided the highest guidance, and among all the static variables, the order of guidance was shape, IMC, AS, NMC, and finally LS. This is a new finding that is different from the color, size, and shape guidance order in 2D visualization and the color, shape, and size order in 3D visualization. The results could be utilized to guide the selection of visual variables for symbol design in AR geovisualization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global change refers to changes in the relationship between humans and nature. It is desirable to actively integrate human social activities into the unified framework of global change so that their mutual relations and functional mechanisms can be understood. This complicated issue necessitates an appropriate method allowing domain experts to collaboratively contribute their knowledge to geoscientific research. Also, an efficient approach to optimize experimentation is of great importance. The reproducibility of research methods and results needs to be improved to boost the sharing of geographic knowledge and resources. This paper proposes a versioned geoscientific workflow and characterizes its full lifecycle using Virtual Geographic Environments, intending to facilitate and improve research related to the interactions between global change and human activities. The geoscientific workflow management is realized using the concept of version management, making geographic simulation methods and computational results easily reproducible and extendable. The sharing and reuse of geographic knowledge in various forms are archived through version management of geoscientific workflows. A versatile prototype system is implemented which enables the visual modeling of geoscientific workflows, the interactive optimization and collaborative evaluation of geoscientific workflows at runtime, the multi-dimensional dynamic visualization of geo-workflow outputs, and role-based access control for data security.

Flood visualization is an effective and intuitive tool for representing flood information from abstract spatiotemporal data. With the growing demand for flood disaster visualizations and mitigation, augmented flood visualizations that support decision makers’ perspectives are needed, which can be enhanced by emerging augmented reality (AR) and 3D printing technologies. This paper proposes an innovative flood AR visualization method based on a 3D-printed terrain model and investigates essential techniques, such as the suitable size calculation of the terrain models, the adaptive processing of flood data, and hybridizing virtual flood and terrain models. A prototype experimental system (PES) based on the proposed method and a comparison experimental system (CES) based on a virtual terrain are developed to conduct comparative experiments, which combine the system performance and questionnaire method to evaluate the efficiency and usability of the proposed method. The statistical results indicate that the method is useful for assisting participants in understanding the flood hazard and providing a more intuitive and realistic visual experience compared with that of the traditional AR flood visualization method. The frame rate is stable at 60 frames per second (FPS), which means that the proposed method is more efficient than the traditional AR flood visualization method.

Global change refers to changes in the relationship between humans and nature. It is desirable to actively integrate human social activities into the unified framework of global change so that their mutual relations and functional mechanisms can be understood. This complicated issue necessitates an appropriate method allowing domain experts to collaboratively contribute their knowledge to geoscientific research. Also, an efficient approach to optimize experimentation is of great importance. The reproducibility of research methods and results needs to be improved to boost the sharing of geographic knowledge and resources. This paper proposes a versioned geoscientific workflow and characterizes its full lifecycle using Virtual Geographic Environments, intending to facilitate and improve research related to the interactions between global change and human activities. The geoscientific workflow management is realized using the concept of version management, making geographic simulation methods and computational results easily reproducible and extendable. The sharing and reuse of geographic knowledge in various forms are archived through version management of geoscientific workflows. A versatile prototype system is implemented which enables the visual modeling of geoscientific workflows, the interactive optimization and collaborative evaluation of geoscientific workflows at runtime, the multi-dimensional dynamic visualization of geo-workflow outputs, and role-based access control for data security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we address two challenging issues underlying spatial simulation using software agents immersed in virtual geographic environments (VGE). First, the way to describe virtual VGE models using accurate spatial decomposition approaches structured using graph theory techniques. Second, the use of graph abstraction techniques to support realistic and advanced navigation and path planning capabilities for software agents considering the VGE's characteristics. In order to illustrate our contributions to the growing field of spatial simulations, we present and discuss a case study involving an urban VGE model populated with agents who autonomously and differently interact with multiple abstractions of the same physical environment.

Flood visualization is an effective and intuitive tool for representing flood information from abstract spatiotemporal data. With the growing demand for flood disaster visualizations and mitigation, augmented flood visualizations that support decision makers' perspectives are needed, which can be enhanced by emerging augmented reality (AR) and 3D printing technologies. This paper proposes an innovative flood AR visualization method based on a 3D-printed terrain model and investigates essential techniques, such as the suitable size calculation of the terrain models, the adaptive processing of flood data, and hybridizing virtual flood and terrain models. A prototype experimental system (PES) based on the proposed method and a comparison experimental system (CES) based on a virtual terrain are developed to conduct comparative experiments, which combine the system performance and questionnaire method to evaluate the efficiency and usability of the proposed method. The statistical results indicate that the method is useful for assisting participants in understanding the flood hazard and providing a more intuitive and realistic visual experience compared with that of the traditional AR flood visualization method. The frame rate is stable at 60 frames per second (FPS), which means that the proposed method is more efficient than the traditional AR flood visualization method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we address two challenging issues underlying spatial simulation using software agents immersed in virtual geographic environments (VGE). First, the way to describe virtual VGE models using accurate spatial decomposition approaches structured using graph theory techniques. Second, the use of graph abstraction techniques to support realistic and advanced navigation and path planning capabilities for software agents considering the VGE's characteristics. In order to illustrate our contributions to the growing field of spatial simulations, we present and discuss a case study involving an urban VGE model populated with agents who autonomously and differently interact with multiple abstractions of the same physical environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to advances in rendering techniques and hardware capability, stereoscopic 3D (s3D) visualization is becoming increasingly common in daily life. However, this does not change the fact that stereo effects and visual comfort depend greatly on how the related parameters are controlled during the production of the s3D images. In geo-virtual reality systems, which are important browsers for Digital Earth, the maintenance of these parameters is deeply related to the navigation process. Therefore, the navigation method in such systems requires special care. This paper presents a new flying method based on aCubemapstructure. The method defines aVehiclemodel and modifies the originalCubemapstructure by adding a front view camera during the navigation; it allows the users to fly through a virtual geographic environment with automatic speed control, smooth collision resolution, and dynamic adjustment of the s3D-related parameters. A user test was conducted to compare this new method with the original method based on theCubemapstructure. The results show that the new method performs better than the former one for it provides a convenient interaction experience with improved stereoscopic effect, and diminishes visual discomfort. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]